Isaac Hayes's song "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" tells the story of a man who repeatedly leaves his partner and travels to different cities. The song emphasizes the narrator's continued pattern of leaving and the impact it has on his partner. The lyrics depict the narrator's journey from Phoenix to Albuquerque, and then to Oklahoma, with each verse describing the state of his partner's emotions and reactions during his absence. In the beginning, the narrator leaves a note for his partner in Phoenix, knowing she will find it when he is already gone. He expects her to laugh at the idea of him leaving since he has done so before. This highlights the lack of surprise or disbelief from his partner due to his past actions. As the journey continues, the narrator anticipates that his partner will reach out to him during her lunch break in Albuquerque. However, he knows that she will only hear the phone endlessly ringing as he won't be there to answer. This suggests a sense of longing and missed connections between the two. Moving on to Oklahoma, the song portrays a bittersweet scene. While his partner is peacefully sleeping, she unconsciously utters the narrator's name and potentially dreams of their lost connection. The lyrics imply that she is unaware of the narrator's true intentions to leave her. Despite his attempts to communicate his departure, she remains unaware and naive. Ultimately, "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" reveals an ongoing cycle of the narrator leaving and his partner longing for him. The song focuses on the consequences and emotional toll of this repetitive behavior on both individuals involved.
