“Stephen” is a daydream, and a flawed denial of inadequacy on Kesha’s part. Tinged with country elements, Kesha sings about a certain person she can’t help but fall for – acknowledging he’s not single.
A reflective music video was released with her compilation album, Animal + Cannibal
[Intro]
Stephen
Stephen
Why won't you call me?
Stephen, why won't you call me?
[Verse 1]
I saw you in your tight-ass rocker pants, you saw me too
I laughed, 'cause I was completely trashed
And I watched your ugly girlfriend sneer across the room
As if I really care that she's here with you
All I know is you're my object of affection
My drug of choice, my sick obsession, oh
[Chorus]
Stephen (Stephen)
Why won't you call me? (Call me)
I'm sitting here waitin' (Waitin')
Why won't you call me?
Stephen (Stephen)
I'm feelin' pathetic (Feelin')
I can't take rejection (Stephen)
Why won't you call me?
[Verse 2]
I've got guys waiting in a line
For me to play my evil girly games with all their minds
Just watch me, I've got it down to a simple art
Just bat my eyes like this, and there's a broken heart
But somehow, you turned the tables, what the hell?
I can charm the pants off anyone else but you
[Chorus]
Stephen (Stephen)
Why won't you call me? (Call me)
I'm sitting here waitin' (Waitin')
Why won't you call me?
Stephen (Stephen)
I'm feelin' pathetic (Feelin')
I can't take rejection (Stephen)
Why won't you call me?
[Bridge]
Stephen, I'm thinkin' that maybe
You might think I'm crazy
Is that why you won't call me?
Steve, don't you think I'm pretty?
Do you not love me?
Is that why you won't call me?
'Cause you're my object of affection
My drug of choice, my sick obsession
I want to keep you as my pet
To play with and hide under my bed forever
[Chorus]
Stephen (Stephen)
Why won't you call me? (Call me)
I'm sitting here waitin' (Waitin')
Why won't you call me? (Oh)
Stephen (Stephen)
I'm feelin' pathetic (Feelin')
I can't take rejection (Stephen)
Why won't you call me?
[Interlude, spoken]
Stephen (Stephen)
I'll knit you a sweater (Call me, waitin')
I want to wrap you up in my love (You call me, Stephen)
Forever (Feelin')
I would never let you go Stephen
(Stephen, why won't you call me?)
I'll never let go
[Chorus]
Stephen (Stephen, Stephen)
Why won't you call me? (Call me)
I'm sitting here waitin' (I'm waitin', waitin')
Why won't you call me?
Stephen (Stephen, Stephen, I'm waitin')
I'm feelin' pathetic (Feelin')
I can't take rejection (Stephen, I'm waitin')
Why won't you call me?
[Outro]
Why won't you call me? (Stephen)
(Call me, feelin')
Stephen was written by Oliver Leiber & Pebe Sebert & David Gamson & Kesha.
Stephen was produced by Oliver Leiber & David Gamson.
The song “Stephen” is one of my favorites on the record — it’s this guy I’ve been stalking since I was 15. I wrote the song when I was 16 with my mom, and I was like, “This song’s so dope, I know it is,” so I found this guy named David Gamson who was in Scritti Politti. He does all the keyboard stuf...