What the guy in the song actually realizes is that, no matter how hard he tries, he can't convince himself that he is over losing his best friend and his lover at the same time. 'I only wish my words could just convince myself that it just wasn't real, but that's NOT the way it feels'. He's crying on the phone, just thinking about talking to her. 'There's something in my eyes. You know it happens every time I think about the love that I thought would save me.' And he knows if he calls, he might beg her to come back. And that would only humiliate him further.

No better story teller than Jim Croce. Great guy great music

Jim's premature death was such a terrible loss to the world, a great storyteller and brilliant musician. RIP Jim.

It still chokes me up that such a huge talent met such an untimely, tragic end. It was devestating then and still hurts.

Ingrid Croce, who was married to Jim from 1966 until his death in 1973, told Songfacts the story of this song: "'Operator' is one of my favorite songs. I think it's a pretty interesting song in the way in which it was composed. It's probably like a lot of songs of Jim's, but it's one that I think a lot of people relate to in a whole bunch of different ways. Jim and I had gotten married in 1966, and we had been waiting for him to go in the service. He was a National Guard, which he had joined with the hope that he would not be sent over, and he would be able to continue his education and his music career. So he signed up for the National Guard, and just as soon as we decided to get married - in August of 1966, the week before our little wedding - he got a letter that said that he would be leaving within two weeks for his National Guard duty down in South or North Carolina, so he was leaving with a very heavy heart. My dad had been very ill and shortly after that passed away. And we had just waited... wanted to get married and have some time to be together after all those years of waiting. All of the sudden here he is the National Guard, and Jim is not very good with authority. And he's in the South, and they were not very good with making pasta. He was missing good food, he was missing me, he was missing life in general. He's one of the few guys I think who went through basic training twice... he really couldn't follow the system. He'd always find things that were funny, like a handbook that he put together in dealing with the service with a whole bunch of quotes of how to deal with people in the Army. But anyway, he was standing there in the rain at a payphone. And he was listening to these stories of all these guys, the 'Dear John' stories, that were standing in line waiting their turn in the rain with these green rain jackets over their heads - I can just picture it, all of them in line waiting for their 3-minute phone call. Most of them were getting on the phone and they were okay, but some of them were getting these 'Dear John' letters, or phone calls. I think that was the most important aspect of the song, because it was just so desperate. You know, 'I only have a dime' and 'You can keep the dime' because money was very scarce and very precious, and I think if you look at the words to the song there are so many aspects of our generation that are in it. 'Operator, could you help me place this call?' I'm picturing Jim out in the rain and this long line of guys where they're really trying to reach somebody. It was hard to get through, so you always had the operator do it for you." (Songfacts.com)

The guitarist that accompanied Jim on all his recordings and live appearances was Maury Muehleisen. Tragically he died along with Jim in the plane crash that took their lives only a scant 3 years after they first starting performing together.

"But that's not the way it feels"... punches me in the gut every time.

In 1974 I was a young soldier, a long way from home, standing in a telephone booth trying to make a long distance call to my old girlfriend back home. I wasn't able to contact her, as much as the Operator tried to help me. Everytime I hear this beautiful, poignant song, I think back on that young man trying to say hello to his old girlfriend. Eventually, I lost her. But that lead me to my wife of 47 years. So, sometimes to qoute a Garth Brooks song (which I recommend) "I thank God for unanswered prayers." Thank you for what you do. Seeing two young people enjoying a song that I did when I was your age, makes me so happy.

I always took this song in the opposite way you did, that he was trying to find closure but just can’t let go of the hurt, even if he says he’s fine. This is my top Croce, along with Lover’s Cross and I Have to Say I Love You in a Song.

“There’s something in my eyes, you know it happens every time, I think about a love that I thought would save me…” 💔 One of my favorite songs ❤

The guitar picking and harmony that really supported Jim was a guy called Maurice T. Muehleisen (January 14, 1949 - September 20, 1973) he was an American musician, songwriter, and artist best known for his studio work, live accompaniment, and impact on the music of Jim Croce. He died in the same plane crash that killed Croce. The pair were something very special.

In the song he absolutely was not over it! He was trying to convince himself that losing his girlfriend and best friend both and it wasn't working. He was crying on the phone to the operator. This is probably my favorite Jim Croce song - very poignant. Another great one of his is "I've Got a Name". That one is very uplifting and affirming.

"There's something in my eyes, you know it happens every time". One of the all time lines.

You can keep the dime-that line always gets me. Love Jim’s music. Master class in songwriting. RIP.

Many of Jim Croce's song were inspired by real life events and experiences. The inspiration for this song is particularly sad. Back in the 1970's military bases used to have these areas where there would be dozens and dozens of telephone booths, especially at training schools. They were there so guys could go make calls home when they had a chance. Jim once did a brief stint in the Army. One night he went to use the phone to call home. While waiting in line for his turn he kept overhearing these guys who were calling home after they had just received "Dear John" letters from their wives or girlfriends. Jim said the sadness was so overwhelming. These guys worlds were falling apart, and you could almost hear the hearts breaking. This experience inspired him to write "Operator." I think he did an incredible job capturing that sadness in this song. Jim not only told great stories, but he was also great at making you feel something.

An absolute must listen, for Jim Croce, is, I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song.

"I can't read the number you just gave me. There's something in my eyes, happens every time" Such a great, subtle, way to say he's crying and can't read what he just wrote. So, so good.

Any Jim Croce is GREAT Jim Croce. "I Got a Name" should definitely be your next one, followed by "I Have to Say I Love You in a Song". "One Less Set of Footsteps" is also amazing.

1. The person playing lead acoustic guitar is NOT Jim Croce but his musical partner Maury Muehleisen, whose talents helped Jim rise to fame and who also sings backup vocals in Operator and in other songs, adding a depth of emotion to the chorus that elevates the emotion. Maury was only 24 when he was killed, along with Jim, in a plane crash. It is worth watching them in a live video as their chemistry together was magical. 2. Jim wrote the lyrics not about himself but about others he heard placing calls when he was in the Army reserve on a base in Georgia. Trainees were only allowed to use a pay phone at limited, designated times, so they would line up and place calls with the operator; Jim overheard this sort of call many times and wrote this song to amalgamate those stories. At that same reserve camp, he met a man from Chicago named Leroy Brown.

Jim Croce's "I Got a Name" is one of those inspiring songs that never leave you, & I highly recommend it. 🙂

Does anyone else shed a few tears when they listen to this?

Jim Croce was a great singer/songwriter who died at an early age in a tragic plane crash. His best hits include: "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song", " I Got A Name", You Don't Mess Around With Jim", "Bad,Bad Leroy Brown," "One Less Set Of Footsteps", " Photographs And Memories", "Time On A Bottle", " New York's Not My Home", "Roller Derby Queen".

Always like how he talks to the Operator - "you've been so much more than kind...you can keep the dime". Also, J&A I think you missed the message - he's not over it or ok with it. "I only wish my words could just convince myself that it just wasn't real" - it's a heartbreaker. RIP wonderful musician and storyteller Jim C.

This song just gets me every time I listen to it! When Jim mentions that there’s something in his eyes, the number fading from his tears… It gets me right in the gut. I feel his pain. What a beautiful, beautiful songwriter, he was.

He still hasn’t gotten over the loss of his girl plus best friend and their betrayal. Still misses them by calling but can’t go through with it. Great song. Jim Croce died just as his career had taken off. Thanks for keeping his music alive.

His pain and indecision so emotional in this song. You feel it.

Jim Croce and his accompanist Maury Meulheisen both played acoustic guitars that melded together so beautifully it was hard to tell where one started and the others stopped.

This is one of those songs that makes me feel old ... I remember when a call on a payphone would cost you a dime.

A fantastic singer/storyteller. Love this song. Sad he left us way too soon. 💔

One of the best singer songwriters. “I got a name” and “Box #10” are a couple great storytelling songs

Part of Croce's genius was being able to write songs that come across as simple at first but get deeper and deeper the more you listen to them.

So glad you mentioned the great guitar playing at the 3:17 mark. Had the total package of writing /voice and musicianship.

This is such a great song! It's also fascinating how it can resonate so differently with different people. For example, to Jay and Amber, the caller decides that he's fine and he doesn't need to call her; he really has "overcome the blow." But to me, I hear it as he definitely has NOT overcome the blow. He gets the number, but he can't bring himself to go through with the call because he's still devastated ("there's something in my eyes") and he doesn't know what he would say anyway. Musician KZfaqrs Rick Beato and Mary Spender recently did an excellent collab looking at this one. For anyone interested in that, search KZfaq for this exact title: "Can Younger Generations Connect With Old Songs? w/ Mary Spender"

Not lost on many is the fact that this was the decade of the 'Singer/Songwriter' -- Croce, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin, etc. are all in the mythical Singer/Songwriter HOF for their contributions to music. And still just a sliver of all the many genres that made the 70's very unique and special. And you could hear all of them on one station.

"I Got A Name" is my favorite Jim Croce song. Just so beautiful and timeless.

Croce telling stories about characters ought to include "Roller Derby Queen."

Such a moving song. Lots of us can relate. We lost a lot of good music when he died so early.

Right back to Croce!! Bravo 👏

Another great song by Jim Croce is RAPID ROY THAT STOCK CAR BOY !! One of my favorites !

Maurice (Maury) T. Muehleisen (January 14, 1949 - September 20, 1973) was an American musician, songwriter, and artist best known for his studio work, live accompaniment, and impact on the music of Jim Croce. He died in the same plane crash that killed Croce. He provided a lot of the guitar accompianment you are hearing.

Been waiting on this one….just heard today. Solid gold. There will never be another Jim Croce! ❤Also “I’ll have to say I love you in a song”

The point of the song was to show how good he's doing but...he's also saying that he's really not. The line... I ONLY WISH MY WORDS COULD JUST CONVINCE MYSELF THAT IT JUST WASN'T REAL, BUT THATS NOT THE WAY IT FEELS. His song I Got A Name is wonderful

Next Jim Croce’s songs: 1. Photographs and Memories 2. New York’s Not My Home 3. I Got A Name 4. Lover’s Cross

Excellent choice guys, Jim seemed like an everyday man but with a gift with words.

So glad y'all are playing more Croce. I love every song he ever released. Seriously, they are ALL good. He had several songs about breaking up, some more bitter than others. Check out "One Less Set of Footprints".

This song was all over the radio when I was starting high school, always moves me to hear it and think about how many dated references there are in the song: operators, phone booths, matchbooks to keep info, 10 cent phone calls... Talking about storytellers, you should do "Hello In There" by John Prine

Lovers cross is another great by him also my favorite. Jim and Maury backed each other up well in their style of playing and Jim’s storytelling is amazing

"... there's something in my eyes, it happens everytime I think about the love that I thought would save me ... " ... my heart breaks everytime!!

If nobody else has told you yet, Jim Croce was just about to become huge when he passed away. Many of his biggest "hits" and fan favorites we released after his passing.

Oh yeah man heck yes

One of my all time favorite lines:: "Operator, oh, could you help me place this call? See the number on the matchbook is old and faded." Genius!

Such a great song and so many others in his catalog. I Got A Name is a very uplifting song.

I find Jim Croce and Gordon Lightfoot are both great folk singers, songwriters, and acoustic guitarists!

This song gets me every, single, time, because it's just too relatable. His genius at conveying the struggle to "overcome the blow" is intensely poignant.

Another great singer-songwriter that started in the 70's was Dan Fogelberg, He played all genre of music. Some of his many story songs that I love are Same Old Lang Syne a true story of a chance meeting with an old girlfriend. Another is the tribute he wrote for his father, Leader Of The Band. Played live for the first time with his mother in the audience is Forefathers , a song telling his mothers geneolgy. Then a few that are just creative stories are The Reach and Sutters Mill. His cataloge of tunes is one of the best of any era, give him a spin you won't be disapointed. Thanks.

I've been waiting for this to come on with you guys. this is my favorite song of his!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In those days, we actually had pay phones. Pay for time to use the phone by putting quarters,dimes and nickles in the phone. LOVE you guys. Thank you!

Jim was definitely a storyteller. I remember hearing some of his records my parents had when I was really little, but as an adult I can listen to the lyrics and really get what he was saying. Artists like Jim Croce are timeless. A century from now someone will find this song and say, "Damn, what a great song! What else did this guy sing?"

One of his best. Equally good is I’ve Got A Name and Lover’s Cross

Every song from Jim Croce is a winner . . . but "Operator" makes me choke up every time. : )

"Thank you for your time. Oh, you've been so much more than kind. You can keep the dime." I got a lump in my throat the very first time I ever heard that when I was in my teens. I'm 64 years old now, and it still affects me the same way. Thanks for sharing this reaction.

Jim had been releasing records for a few years before he hit it big in 1972 and then through1973 he had a whole string of hits. Then right at the peak he died in a plane crash. I wept openly when I heard the news because his songs touched me so much even as a teenager. I still tear up when I hear these songs, but I love them and listen frequently. His next big hit came out right after he died and I think you would really like it. Its called "I Got A Name."

Will always be one of my favorites. I've got a name or I have to say I love you in a song should be next. Try a live version. He sounds great and you get to really see him and take in the vibe he naturally gives off. You can just tell what a down to earth nice guy he must have been. I just watched a documentary on him. So worth it.💖

Jim Croce, was a great Singer, Songwriter! Great video! I'm a big Jim Croce Fan! Live your Elvis reactions! Jim and Elvis are just some of my favorites! Elvis is #1! Great video!!!!

Thanks for your reaction. One of my favorite songs with that brilliant guitar accompaniment

I love this song, and I am so happy to see you react to it. My absolute favorite by Jim Croce. You guys have a much more positive take on the end of the song than I ever got from it though, the way you were talking about how he'd realized he didn't need to talk to them and was just fine and ready to move on. After the way the second verse talked about how, "there's something in my eyes, you know it happens every time," when he was trying to read the number, I took that as his eyes being blurred with tears, then when he says, "let's forget about this call; there's no one there I really wanted to talk to," it always came across to me that he was still in love with her and it was still just too painful for him to talk to her or the former friend that she left him for. Even the repeated chorus after the final verse, while it could be claimed that it is only there for the flow of the song, always felt to me like he was checking the number one last time so he could call once he really was ready to let go (and the earlier "this happens every time" implies to me this is not the first time he tried to make the call and let go but found himself unable to do so). That was just how I always interpreted the song. I like your more positive interpretation though, even if it still feels to me that the song is saying something different. As for my recommendation this time, I can't think of any more Jim Croce that you haven't reacted to off the top of my head, so I'm going to ask for a song I've been trying to get you guys to react to for over a year now. I originally asked for it around October of last year hoping that you might react to it for my birthday on November 7th. Two of my birthdays have passed since then and you haven't reacted to the song. At this point, I just want to see what you think of it. The song is "Long As I Can See the Light" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was never one of their big hits so it's often overlooked (I only know it because of a CCR boxed set my mother had when I was young), but it is such a beautiful song that it is definitely my favorite by them. I really think you'll both love it.

I saw Jim in concert MANY years ago. Thought he and his guitar were GREAT. Unfortunately he was touring the south (I'm in NorthEast Texas.) When he left here on the next stop, his plane crashed and we lost him. Only the good die young. That why I'm 74 and love everything you two do. Keep up the great work.

You're also hearing two guitars here. His musical duet partner Maury Muehleisen was also brilliant. He died in the plane crash and was only 24yrs old.

One of my all time favorite songs. Thank you so much for doing this song.

Surprised that you missed the story on this one. The lyrics Amber asked about are: "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". He's making the call trying to prove to himself that he's gotten past the relationship, but he hasn't. That's emphasized in the 2nd verse when he says: "There's something in my eyes [tears] You know it happens every time I think about the love that I thought would save me". This is the 2nd 'payphone' song I've heard you do and I wonder if you have any reference to what putting coins into a phone to make a call was like. Beyond all that, if you'd like a song very much like "Time In A Bottle". I'd recommend "Photographs & Memories".

Jim Croce is a legend, died to young. Imagine how many songs he would've have written. Again guys, another great song to react to. 👏

He calls to tell them he's over it, but he isn't, so he starts to cry, thinking about her. That's why he says he can't read the number she gave him and there's something in his eye. Tears. He then chickens out and decides not to call.

It’s wonderful that you are discussing Jim Croce. He’s a great one and gone too soon. He died just a few years after I was born, and he lived on with his great music for those of us in that decade and beyond. His voice was a part of my boyhood and beyond. Thank you for exposing his greatness to another generation.

I love this song. It’s so simple yet beautiful. Thanks for the reaction.

Thank you for continuing to explore Jim Croce's music. Photographs and Memories, I got a Name, New York's Not My Home, Lover's Cross, and I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song are all really emotional story songs and I am sure you will love every one of them once you have the chance to listen to them.

This is the only Jim Croce song I really love. It’s a great one.

Only when you get truly played and betrayed will you understand this song. Thank you for playing the great Jim Croce! And thank you for "not cussing". Shows you got class!

Love this song! Jim Croce is on of my favorite singer songwriters. I'm currently reading the story of his life written by his wife Ingrid and his memoirs, called 'I Got A Name: The Jim Croce Story'. It's a very interesting and sometimes heartbreaking tale, giving even more life to these songs than before.

A good friend of mine had turned me on to Jim Croce and his music. This was a really amazing song! You should listen to and react to two more of his famous songs. 1.)"Time in a Bottle." and 2.) "Photographs and Memories." I just received a copy of his CD entitled "Photographs and Memories" which has all three of these songs on it. Thanks for sharing and reacting to this beautiful song! In the future, could you please listen to react to some songs by the group "Midnight Star", particularly "Wet my Whistle" and "Slow Jam". You both would absolutely love those two!

Amber, I was a teenager in the 70's in New York. Your "vibing" with the '70's is beautiful. It was a cool time period, my sister had this record album and played it alot, along with the great Carol King. I will now identify you affectionately as "That 70's Girl" I think you were born "out of time".

What a song. You should of been 17 in 1971. It has so much meaning for some of us. If you weren't around in 1971, you won't know just how much this song means to some of us. Harry Chapin and Jim Croche. You two are among the first concerts I want to see in heaven.

Imagine how much more beautiful music Jim Croce would have made if he would had not died at the young age of 30 yrs old from a plane crash. R.I.P. Jim

My FAVORITE CROCE SONG!! So glad you got around to it - makes me cry every. single. time! 😭 "Lover's Cross" and "These Dreams" are beautiful songs by him that I know you guys would enjoy - thank you again for bringing us all joy 3 times a day! Keep smilin' 🥰🥰🥰 EDITED to add - James Taylor fits into the top singer-songwriter artists as well, IMHO - 🤗

My favorite Jim Croce song of all time is "I Got a Name". I hope you do that one next.

Storytelling lyricist from the 80s: Suzanne Vega … Caramel, Tired of Sleeping, Calypso, Cracking … she’s amazing

This is the 2nd single released from You Don't Mess Around With Jim. It spent 12 weeks on the charts, and made it to 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Beautiful song. Jim was an amazing singer, storyteller and musician. Great reaction. Buckets of Maple Syrup from Canada 🇨🇦 🇨🇦 ❤️❤️ Bad Bad Leroy Brown should be next. Sadly he died in a plane crash, 😢 leaving us wondering what was next in his amazing career.

Jim Croce had such beautiful heartfelt songs. This is about the pain of being betrayed by his ex-best friend and his ex-girlfriend and him not only trying to convince them but also himself that he's over it but he really isn't over it. If you listen carefully to the lyrics you'll catch it. Please react to my favorite "I Got a Name", it's a beautiful song and was released a day after he tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 30.

This is worth reposting from below: That beautiful picking all through the song was his musical partner Maury Muehleisen, who also is singing harmony with Jim. Sadly, Maury died in the same plane crash that took Jim's life. They were an amazing duo. (Jeff Demter)

He was my favorite artist before he passed way to soon , I still love his songs

Great voice

No, no, no... you're missing the point. He is heartbroken, and he's trying to convince himself that he's okay, but he's really bereft without her! It's such a sad song.

Thank you for reacting to Jim Croce. I used to listen to him with my dad but I can't listen anymore since dad passed. It made me feel really good to see someone hearing this music again.

Croce is a word smith for sure. "Lovers Cross" and "NY Ain't my Home", "I Got a Name" all magnificent.

I used to have a hard time sleeping and one night this song came on. The power of a great singer/songwriter/ guitar player. This song broke my heart for the man talking to the operator. One other that I hope you will play is Leader of the Band by the late great Dan Fogelberg. 🤗

I’ve loved his music for decades. Photographs and Memories is a beautiful one.

Beautiful song....

This song, "I've Got A Name", and "Have To Say I Love You In A Song" are my three favorite songs by Jim. I'm getting choked up listening to this. (You know it happens every time.)

Hey guys, One of my all time favs! Listen again Amber … He DOES need to talk to her … That’s his pride talking when he says “No one there I really wanted to talk to” “So I can call, just to tell her I’m fine and to show I’ve overcome the blow I’ve learned to take it well I only wish my words Could help convince myself That it just wasn’t real But that’s not the way it feels” He still loves her! ☺️

"Jim Croce...I don't know...he was tuned, solid, into something that the rest of us just don't ever get to see." --Jerry Reed

"There's no one there, I really want to talk too." Amen, brother. There's no one there you really wanted to talk to. Wear it, bro! The operator chick seems like she's really feeling you.

"I'll have to say I love you in a song" is a great one by him.