{{short description|1988 single by Squeeze}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use British English|date=November 2012}} {{Infobox song | name = 853-5937 | cover = Squeeze 853-5937.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Squeeze | album = Babylon and On | released = December 1987 (US) January 1988 (UK) | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = Soul<ref name="diffuser">{{cite web |last1=Zaleski |first1=Annie |title=30 Years Ago: Squeeze Find Unexpected U.S. Success with 'Babylon and On' |url=https://diffuser.fm/squeeze-babylon-and-on/ |website=Diffuser.fm |access-date=22 March 2026 |language=en |date=15 September 2017}}</ref> | length = 3:21 | label = A&M | writer = Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford | producer = Eric "ET" Thorngren, Glenn Tilbrook | prev_title = The Waiting Game | prev_year = 1987 | next_title = Footprints | next_year = 1988 }}

"'''853-5937'''" is a song by English rock band Squeeze released on the band's 1987 album ''Babylon and On''. Released as the fourth UK single and the second US single from the album, "853-5937" was a moderate chart hit in both nations, reaching number 91 in the UK<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16797/squeeze/|title=SQUEEZE &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref> and climbing to number 32 on the US Hot 100 chart and number 38 on the US ''Cash Box'' chart.

==Background== "853-5937" was written by Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford. The song began life as an answering machine jingle that Tilbrook used, with 853-5937 being Tilbrook's phone number at the time.<ref name="sf interview">{{cite web |last1=Wiser |first1=Carl |title=Squeeze: Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford |url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/squeeze-glenn-tilbrook-and-chris-difford |website=Songfacts |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> Though Tilbrook and Difford traditionally wrote separately, the songwriting duo wrote "Hourglass" and "853-5937" while in the same room.<ref name="diffuser" /> Tilbrook recalled, "We didn't write everything together. I think the first song we ever wrote, we wrote together. And then we wrote 'Hourglass' and '853-5937' together. And that was it [until 1993's ''Some Fantastic Place'']."<ref name="write hear">{{cite web |last1=McGrath |first1=Amy |title=The 'Alternating Currents' Legacy Interview: Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze |url=https://writehearpopculture.substack.com/p/the-alternating-currents-legacy-interview-glenn-tilbrook-of-squeeze |website=Write Hear |date=14 December 2025}}</ref>

Despite the song's commercial success, both Tilbrook and Difford have commented on their dislike for the song and have blocked the song from appearing on compilation albums.<ref name="sf">{{cite web |title=853-5937 |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/squeeze/853-5937 |website=Songfacts |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> Difford recalled, "It's a very lame song. I liked it at the time, but you change your mind about how you feel about certain songs."<ref name="sf interview" />

==Release== "853-5937" was released as a single in both the US and the UK. Coming off the success of "Hourglass", the band's biggest pop hit in the US, "853-5937" peaked at number 32 in the US. The song was the band's second and final top 40 hit in the US.<ref name="boston.com">{{cite web |last1=Chianca |first1=Peter |title=Squeeze in a solo show from Glenn Tilbrook in Boston |url=https://www.boston.com/things-to-do/concerts/squeeze-in-a-solo-show-from-glenn-tilbrook-in-boston/ |website=Boston.com |access-date=22 March 2026}}</ref>

===Music video=== Squeeze produced a music video for "853-5937", directed by Adrian Edmondson.<ref name="spin">{{cite journal |title=What's New in Video? |journal=SPIN |date=Mar 1988 |volume=3 |issue=10 |page=53 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSEbtY6IkTgC&pg=PA53}}</ref> The music video shows many black and white clips, as well as the band performing in what appears to be the inside of a telephone, as they are surrounded by oversized electronics and circuitry. Bassist Keith Wilkinson can be seen playing an Ormston fretless bass.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk0iT7egdd4 853-5937 – SQUEEZE]</ref>

==Critical reception== ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'' described the song as "equally charming" as "Hourglass", Squeeze's biggest hit from ''Babylon & On''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Random House |page=197}}</ref>

==Track listing==

===7"=== # "853-5937" (3:21) # "Tough Love" (3:06)

===12"=== # "853-5937" (3:21) # "Tough Love" (3:06) # "853-5937 (Bonus Buff mix)" (3:26)

===7" (North American release)=== # "853-5937" (3:21) # "Take Me I'm Yours (live)" (4:03)

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Squeeze}}

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Category:1987 songs Category:1988 singles Category:Squeeze (band) songs Category:Songs written by Glenn Tilbrook Category:Songs written by Chris Difford Category:A&M Records singles Category:Songs about telephone calls