The song "Mississippi Phone Booth" is a collaboration between singer-songwriter John Hiatt and dobro player Jerry Douglas. It was released in 2003 on Hiatt's album "Beneath This Gruff Exterior." The song tells the story of a troubled individual who finds themselves in Mississippi in the middle of the night. The narrator is in a state of distress and seeks solace by making a phone call from a phone booth. The bugs flying around and the gas station light add to the chaotic atmosphere. The narrator's heart is pounding, and they desperately pump change into the phone booth to make a call. They ask the operator to connect them to someone they want to speak to. The exact reason for the call is not revealed, but it is implied that the narrator needs assistance or support. The lyrics mention a black 84 Camaro, indicating that the narrator came to Mississippi from New Orleans. The mention of "everything south of I-10" refers to the region below Interstate 10, which includes various cities and towns in the Southern United States. The narrator finds themselves somewhere close to Jackson and in need of reaching Memphis on the line. They plead with the Mississippi phone booth to convey a message to Jesus, symbolizing their desperation and desire for help. The mention of a quart of vodka and an eight-ball of cocaine suggests that the narrator is dealing with substance abuse or addiction. However, they acknowledge that these substances are not enough to change their mindset or solve their problems. The repeated plea to the Mississippi phone booth not to hang up on them emphasizes the narrator's desperation and fear of being left alone in their troubled state. They desperately seek someone to talk to, even if it is just for a brief moment. Overall, "Mississippi Phone Booth" portrays a character in a state of turmoil, seeking solace and support in a phone booth late at night. The song explores themes of desperation, addiction, and the longing for connection and understanding.
