There’s something in my eyes, you know it happens every time/
I think about a love that I thought would save me.

Jim Croce’s “Operator” might sound dated to some. It mentions a phone operator, payphones and a matchbook, which are not things that we really use that much these days. But the sentiment is the same as today. Croce is thinking about dialing up an ex. He found out his ex is dating his ex-best-friend. His roller-coaster of emotions is similar to what any of us today would experience.

Also, didn’t his ex hate his friend? Now she’s with him?

As he talks to the operator, he begins to tear up remembering the love that they once had. Midway through the call he begins to get second thoughts. What is he going to say to her anyways that doesn’t sound desperate? In the end he decides against it. He doesn’t call her.

Croce’s voice is smooth and comforting, and he effortlessly conveys humor and pain in the same song. The song is also a lovely example of a cross between folk and soft rock. Notice the dual guitars—both of which are finger picking. That is an amazing amount of sound coming mostly from two guitars and one voice. He is another singer that we lost way too young. It is sad to imagine all the music we missed out on.

Operator Lyrics

Operator, well could you help me place this call?
See, the number on the matchbook is old and faded.
She’s living in L.A. with my best old ex-friend Ray.
A guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated.

Isn’t that the way they say it goes? Well, let’s forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it.
So I can call just to tell ’em I’m fine and to show.
I’ve overcome the blow, I’ve learned to take it well.
I only wish my words could just convince myself.
That it just wasn’t real, but that’s not the way it feels.

Operator, well could you help me place this call?
Well, I can’t read the number that you just gave me.
There’s something in my eyes, you know it happens every time.
I think about a love that I thought would save me.

Isn’t that the way they say it goes? Well, let’s forget all that.
And give me the number if you can find it.
So I can call just to tell ’em I’m fine and to show.
I’ve overcome the blow, I’ve learned to take it well.
I only wish my words could just convince myself.
That it just wasn’t real, but that’s not the way it feels.

No, no, no, no – that’s not the way it feels.
Operator, well let’s forget about this call.
There’s no one there I really wanted to talk to.
Thank you for your time, ah, you’ve been so much more than kind.
And you can keep the dime.

Isn’t that the way they say it goes? Well, let’s forget all that.
And give me the number if you can find it.
So I can call just to tell ’em I’m fine and to show.
I’ve overcome the blow, I’ve learned to take it well.
I only wish my words could just convince myself.
That it just wasn’t real, but that’s not the way it feels.

written by Jim Croce