A Song From My Past

Heard this the other day when I had the pleasure of strolling through one of the many fabulous antique stores in our area. What is it about antique and thrift stores that they feel compelled to torture customers with the oldies radio station? Sometimes, though, I hear a song that I had long forgotten...like this one.

My parents owned this record album and I would 'borrow' it and play it on my little red record player, while studying the lyrics that were typically written out on the protective sleeve inside the album cover. I still can hear the record hiss and remember cleaning the accumulated dust off the needle. Operator was definitely a favorite, and now hearing the lyrics as an adult, I can understand why...

Oh, and in '73, when this was released, I was 8 years old.





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 - 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.
No - that's not the way it feels.

I also love this one, which is the title track for the album that featured Operator.
Read more about Jim Croce HERE.