“867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone (1981)
There was a rather controversial inspiration behind this song. The songwriters actually had different answers to the question. According to lead guitarist Jim Keller, “Jenny is a regular girl, not a hooker. Friends of mine wrote her name and number on a men’s room wall at a bar. I called her on a dare, and we dated for a while. I haven’t talked with her since the song became a hit, but I hear she thinks I’m a real jerk for writing it.” Meanwhile, Tommy Heath said that he wrote a girl’s number on a motel bathroom wall as a prank. Lastly, songwriter Alex Call claims that the number was made-up! We might never know the actual story behind the song, but it’s interesting to hear what everyone has to say about it.
867 5309Jenny By Tommy Tutone 1981
