Call and Answer

"Call and Answer" is a song by the Canadian group Barenaked Ladies. It was the third single from their highly successful 1998 album Stunt (the song "Alcohol" had been previously released to radio stations, but was not sold commercially as a single). When released as a single, the song was both remixed and edited into a radio mix which cut from the second verse to the third chorus, skipping a chorus, an instrumental break and the third verse. The remix was a slight adjustment of EQ and levels, and not a comprehensive remix involving adding or replacing musical elements. The song was also included on the soundtrack for the film, EdTV.

The song was written by Steven Page and his longtime collaborator, Stephen Duffy. All of the vocals in the song are performed by Page; this includes overlapping vocals, harmonies and octaves, and a call-and-response chorus. This, in addition to a long ad-lib outro makes the song a showcase of Page's vocal abilities. In live performances, the backing vocals were performed by bandmates Ed Robertson and Jim Creeggan. The song seems to be about the reconciliation of a tumultuous relationship.

The song was performed on CBC Radio as a tribute to Peter Gzowski on his death in 2002. It was also performed as a duet with Alanis Morissette in 2004 during the co-headlining Au Naturale Tour.

"Call and Answer" was the last song Page performed as a member of Barenaked Ladies, on February 5, 2009. He announced his departure from the band two weeks later.

Music video

The video for the song used the radio mix version, and involved the band living in a world of duplicates. All the houses look the same, all the cars are white Volkswagen Beetles, and there are several "copies" of each band member. Notably, there are multiple Stevens that sing the multiple vocal lines he sings on the song. Steve is the main band member seen in the video, and the other band members are only in a few shots. Steve is paired with a female character in the video.

The video was shot in Valencia, CA. There are two versions of the video; one which includes scenes from EdTV, and one which does not.

The video for the song was an Easter egg on the install disc for Mac OS 9-9.2, along with the video for Static X's "Push it".

Chart positions

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Canadian Singles Chart	10
UK Singles Chart	52
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles	21
U.S. Billboard Top 40 Adult Recurrents	14
U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40	17
U.S. Billboard Top 40 Tracks	40

Barenaked Ladies

Jim Creeggan Kevin Hearn Ed Robertson Tyler Stewart Andy Creeggan Steven Page

Studio albums	Gordon Maybe You Should Drive Born on a Pirate Ship Stunt Maroon Everything to Everyone Barenaked for the Holidays As You Like It Barenaked Ladies Are Me Barenaked Ladies Are Men Snacktime! All in Good Time Grinning Streak Silverball

Live albums	Rock Spectacle Extended Versions Talk to the Hand: Live in Michigan BNL Rocks Red Rocks

Compilation albums	Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits (1991–2001) Hits from Yesterday & the Day Before Stop Us If You've Heard This One Before

DVDs	Barenaked in America Barelaked Nadies Talk to the Hand: Live in Michigan

Singles	"Be My Yoko Ono" "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" "Enid" "What a Good Boy" "Brian Wilson" "If I Had $1000000" "Jane" "Alternative Girlfriend" "Shoe Box" "The Old Apartment" "One Week" "It's All Been Done" "Call and Answer" "Get in Line" "Alcohol" "Pinch Me" "Too Little Too Late" "Falling for the First Time" "Another Postcard" "Celebrity" "One Little Slip" "You Run Away" "Every Subway Car" "Boomerang" "Odds Are" "Say What You Want" "Duct Tape Heart"

Concert tours	Au Naturale Tour

Side projects	The Brothers Creeggan Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle The Vanity Project Yukon Kornelius

Related articles	Discography Chris Brown Greg Kurstin Barenaked on a Stick Demo tapes Barenaked Ladies Public Stunts Private Stories

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