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The Pay Phone
The story behind the song
"The Pay Phone" tells a story of regret and temptation, as a man calls from an airport to a woman named Shirley, making it clear their affair can't continue. He's a married man with a son, and the return of his son means he can't see her tonight, even as he drops money into payphones in different cities. The song, written by Glenn Martin, became a country hit for Bob Luman in 1977. It captures the ache of a relationship that must end, full of unspoken history and difficult goodbyes.
Story time
The Pay Phone
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The Pay Phone
by Bob Luman
Chords in this song · guitar
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Lyrics and compositions © their respective songwriters and publishers. Free for personal practice.
About The Pay Phone Chords by Bob Luman
Learn how to play The Pay Phone by Bob Luman with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Pay Phone chords”, “The Pay Phone guitar chords”, or “Bob Luman The Pay Phone chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Pay Phone chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Pay Phone lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A7, A, G, E, B7.
FAQ — The Pay Phone by Bob Luman
How do I play "The Pay Phone" by Bob Luman on guitar?
Open the free chords for "The Pay Phone" by Bob Luman on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.
Are the chords for "The Pay Phone" by Bob Luman free?
Yes. The chords for "The Pay Phone" by Bob Luman are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.
Can I transpose "The Pay Phone" to a different key?
Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Pay Phone" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.
Can I see chord diagrams for "The Pay Phone"?
Yes. Tap any chord in "The Pay Phone" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.
Is "The Pay Phone" easy to play on guitar?
Many players learn "The Pay Phone" by Bob Luman with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Luman below.
What key is "The Pay Phone" in?
The chords for "The Pay Phone" show the original chord names (including D, A7, A, G, E, B7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.