"Don't you know that I gotta get out of here 'Cause, New York's not my home" | Jim Croce

Jim Croce performs “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)” live on The Midnight Special, during the episode aired June 15, 1973. Croce’s distinct voice and acoustic storytelling shine, transforming this track into a deeply personal moment—laid bare, honest, and resonant. Written by Jim Croce and released in 1972 on the You Don’t Mess Around with Jim album, “Operator” became a signature song emphasizing loss, longing, and the human cost of separation. This performance captures the intimacy of th

"Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)" by Jim Croce is a poignant folk-rock song from his 1972 album *You Don't Mess Around with Jim*. The song, characterized by its soft, acoustic guitar melody and heartfelt lyrics, tells the story of a man attempting to contact his former lover through a telephone operator. The lyrics convey his emotional struggle as he tries to move on from the heartbreak caused by her leaving him for his best friend. Croce's smooth, soulful voice adds a layer of melancholy