pure science with a splash of black cat

Jim Croce - “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)”
from You Don’t Mess Around with Jim

Robert Christgau once opined that “the secret flaw of the archetypal singer-songwriter might be songwriting,” and if you listen to enough singer-songwriters, it’s hard to disagree with him. Unless you’re talking about Jim Croce, who had a real gift for storytelling in music.

Operator, could you help me place this call?
‘Cause 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 the love that I thought would save me

But isn’t that the way they say it goes?
But let’s forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell them 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

Previously: I Got a Name / You Don’t Mess Around with Jim