from WALLFLOWER
Written by Jim Croce
“Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” was an acoustic pop song written and sung by late American singer/songwriter, Jim Croce (1943-1973). Included on Croce’s 1972 You Don’t Mess Around With Jim album, “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” was one of the three hit singles off the album. Together with the title-track and the gorgeous “Time In A Bottle,” “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” reminded the listeners of a simpler time when one would actually talk to a person to make a long-distance call. Unfortunately, Croce died in an plane crash the year after the release of You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.
In Croce’s brief career, he left a string of wonderful songs like the aforementioned “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” that have been covered by many important artists including Glen Campbell, Kenny “Babyface’ Edmonds, Roger Whittaker and Josh Turner. “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” was picked by Canadian jazz songbird Diana Krall with David Foster for the singer’s 2015 cd, Wallflower. Foster, the producer of Wallflower, crafted a gorgeous, restrained arrangement with superb orchestration courtesy of William Ross who brought this classic song to new life. Ms. Krall’s subdued and beautiful vocal was proof that often “less is more.” Her tender, moving performance was pure ear candy. Ms. Krall was perfectly supported by the unmistakable backing harmonies of two world-class legends: Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. Stills also offered the tasteful and elegant electric guitar accompaniment while Foster played the piano on this piece. A joy to listen to from beginning to end, Wallflower offered original, creative readings on many evergreens. It was, without a doubt, one of Foster’s best productions of the new millennium and puts the spotlight on a different side of Ms. Krall’s amazing talent as a pop singer.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/09-Operator-Thats-Not-The-Way-It-Feels.mp3|titles=Operator|artists=Diana Krall]
- Lead Vocals: Diana Krall
- Acoustic Guitar: Michael Thompson & Ramon Stagnaro
- Drums: Karriem Riggins
- Electric Guitar: Stephen Stills
- Bass: Dennis Crouch
- Piano: David Foster
- Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag
- Backing Vocals: Graham Nash & Stephen Stills
- Orchestral Arrangement by David Foster & William Ross
- Produced & Arranged by David Foster
- Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag
Lyrics
Operator, could you help me place this call
You see the number on the match box is old and faded
He’s living in L.A
With my best old ex friend ray
A girl he said he knew well but sometimes hated
Isn’t that the way they say it goes
But lets forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell him I’m fine
And to show, I overcome the blow
I 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, 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 everytime
I think about the love that I thought would save me
But isn’t that the way they say it goes
But lets forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell him I’m fine
And to show, I overcome the blow
I 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
That’s not the way it feels,
Operator, lets forget about this call
There’s no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time
You’ve been so much more then kind
You can keep the dime
But isn’t that the way they say it goes
But lets forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell him I’m fine
And to show, I overcome the blow
I 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
Oh no no no
That’s not the way it feels, no no no