First Time Hearing Jim Croce - Operator (Reaction!)

[@jbs256]

Shon, welcome to the Jim Croce rabbit hole. It’s not as deep as others as we lost him to an airplane crash way too early. He left behind his wife Ingrid and toddler son A.J. He was a great story teller, like Harry Chapin who in the next decade would also be gone too soon. Some more Croce to explore would include, Time In A Bottle and Bad Bad Leroy Brown. There’s more this is a great start. Well done!
Joe

[@suecook1326]

Jim's son, AJ is now performing his dad's songs and does an excellent job of it. His life continued to be very tragic after losing his dad as a baby. His mother moved in a boyfriend who beat AJ so severely, he went blind. You can see father and son singing together virtually in this TV special. ua-cam.com/video/tunthj57yDU/v-deo.html

[@jbs256]

@@suecook1326 I knew some of this but not well enough. Thank you!!

[@davidgannon4302]

This is a great song and Jim was a great Story teller, a lot of folks are gonna make a lot of suggestions to you. I would love to sit down to a glass of Bourbon with this young man

[@dagmar.6954]

Another great folk rock singer songwriter who we lost so young. This is the music I grew up with. Unique storyteller & ballad singer. He touches your soul. He had a lot of great hits in his short career. "Time In A Bottle", "Photographs & Memories", "Bad Bad Leroy Brown", "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", "I Got A Name", "Workin' At The Car Wash Blues," "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song", "Roller Derby Queen", "Rapid Roy", "Lover's Cross" etc.

[@ingekoschmidder6424]

"Time In A Bottle", "Photographs & Memories", "Bad Bad Leroy Brown", "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", "I Got A Name" -> all FIRE

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

Absolutely! He was an incredible lyricist. Amazing.

[@roguealien]

Yes, he was taken too soon. Please jump into his songlist. Peace.

[@ajruther67]

It warms my heart that the younger generation are open to and like some of these songs from the 70's. Especially the soft rock.

[@michaelasay8587]

And they need to do more Karen Carpenter¡!!!

[@chrissydwiggins9088]

I watched a documentary about Jim Croce. He wrote this song when he was stationed in Fort Jackson South Carolina (where I am from) He was waiting to use the pay phones to call home and heard someone having this conversation. It's only one of his best songs. Sadly he died before we heard more from him.

[@marinhusky8863]

"There's something in my eyes, you know it happens every time..." My favorite line from this song.

[@willkels9196]

Jim Croce was a insane talent, grew up with my dad playing him all the time. Jim's story is an interesting yet sad one, his son who also went into the music industry has just in the past few years starting performing his dads music and sounds a lot like him, its kinda crazy.
As for the song Operator I found this. "The story was inspired during Croce's military service, during which time he saw lines of soldiers waiting to use the outdoor phone on base, many of them calling their wives or girlfriends to see if their Dear John letter was true.

[@DanoSeer]

Back when "you can keep the dime" meant a phone call. You have to be old enough to understand that line. Jim was a great musician and acoustic guitar player. Great memories of my youth.

[@WillCashem]

He understood it.

[@mamaflush9945]

Hey Shon, so glad you enjoyed listening to "JC" RIP: Jim Croce💔🔥U R Missed
But he left us with some beautiful music to listen too. And we can keep his memory alive through his beautiful story telling. Here's another song if interested. "Jim Croce - Time In A Bottle -1973/Live Studio Blend//eureka yess" This was a fun reaction thanks so much and have a great day.

[@ricelaker]

Listened to Jim when he arrived. What a super talent. Youngsters today may not know that we used to access long distance calling via an operator, a real person.

[@terri2494]

And at the time it cost ten cents to make a call at a phone booth, but that was only for three minutes, I think. I couldn’t remember if it was three or five but then I remembered “Sylvia’s Mother”, where “the operator says 40 cents more for the next three minutes.” I guess that was a long distance call, back when they cost a lot more than local calls. That’s two great songs from 1972 that mention phone operators.

[@ronjohnson2276]

He also sings Bad Bad Leroy Brown. Another great song.

[@BAD46660]

Wonderful story teller! This song belongs on everyone's break up play list. Another great reaction 🔥

[@ed.z.]

Man, you really broke this song down incredibly well. Thank you. I never knew what it was about.

[@qbear1045]

I grew up loving Jim Croce - he died way too young. My favorite song is "I Got a Name" and "The Hard Way Every Time" - amazing songs. His music is timeless. He saw people so well. When I was an outcast in high school - "I Got a Name" helped me so much.

[@robincochran7369]

You said his last name correctly, Yeah! It's hard to believe next month marks 50 years losing him and Maury (his fellow guitarist and "one man band") in a plane crash. In his short career many great tunes came out and I hope you get to react to a few more. RIP Jim and Maury.

[@jeffreyes6236]

Jim Croce was one of my favorite singers when I was a kid. He was a fantastic storyteller and all his songs had great melodies that you could sing a long to. "You don't mess around with Jim" is another one of my favorite songs from him. "Roller Derby Queen" wasn't a single of his but it is a great song too!

[@KC-gy5xw]

Jim Croce, a great songwriter and singer. Time In A Bottle is my favorite of his with I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song. Beautiful singer.
Robbie Robertson (RIP) from The Band (and Bob Dylan's backing band, also a great individual songwriter) and Sixto Rodriguez, (RIP) "Sugarman" - a singer who never realised he was HUGE in South Africa and never knew about it until about 15 years ago. Check out the documentary "Searching for Sugarman" - two excellent songwriters and singer. Plus my man, Bobby Caldwell, he died a few months ago. What. A. Singer. Leo Sayer, criminally underrated.
I must say, it's nice seeing a young man reacting to great music with appreciation. I owe it to my two older brothers sitting me in front our our old Decca gram stereo (seated at optimal position in front/centre/distance) to hear the stereo bit - my reaction to Yes album was legendary in my family) and I heard EVERYTHING from the age of 0 to 15. that's in the 60s/70's.

[@coolmomjj48]

My favorite song by him is "I heard it in a Love Song". He was such a talented man.

[@samfortune3490]

I think you mean “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song”. “Heard it in Love Song” was Marshall Tucker Band.

[@coolmomjj48]

​@samfortune3490 You are so right. I was just sitting here and it just hit me that I put The Marshall Tucker Bands song on here. Another one the best bands.

[@robertg7396]

What he means by "I only wish my words could convince myself, but that’s not the way it feels". Is not that he wishes his girl didn't run off with his ex best friend. He means that he wants to call her just to say, that he's doing good, and it doesn't bother him anymore. He's basically lying to her, but he knows he can't lie to himself, and he is still in a lot of pain.

[@Noelle0026]

This is a songwriter master class of a song. RIPJim

[@collettedauphinais8381]

Time in A Bottle, Bad Bad Leroy Brown, I’ll Have To Say I Love You in a Song, One Less Set of Footsteps, a masterpiece catalogue❤️

[@claranielsen3382]

Please go down this rabbit hole. So many great songs. One of the greatest songwriters and storytellers of our time. Leroy Brown, Time in a bottle and so many more .

[@timsmith5032]

Whether Jim Croce went through it or not, it's based on a million true stories. Welcome to the wonderful story telling that is every Jim Croce song.

[@megdelaney3677]

Shon, it's always a true story for someone. - Jim Croce was of the BEST singer/songwriters EVER!!! Please react to: -Bad, Bad Leroy Brown -Time In A Bottle -You Don't Mess Around With Jim -I Got A Name -I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song -Thanks!

[@steve9199]

One of the finest "Singer-Songwriters" to ever grace this earth. Taken too soon.... RIP Jim.

[@thegridrunner9976]

The first part was his denial.
The second part he was facing reality and actually processing what happened.
The third part was him coming to terms with the end of the relationship and healing in the aftermath.

[@edwardcossa875]

We’ll never see this kind of songwriting again.One of the greatest storytellers ever, I love it that you young dudes are getting into my era,I’m 70 we had the greats.

[@gsquat]

SO much more Jim Croce to listen to.

[@jeremiahrose4681]

Jim Croce is so smooth, just an amazing singer/song writer, RIP, after all these decades there's never been another.

[@Calamity_Jack]

Love this song! Thanks for covering it, Shon. Jim, unfortunately, didn't live long enough to develop a deep back catalog (due to plane crash), but the songs he put out in such a short time were very popular. Jim was a great guitar player and his sideman, Maury Muehleisen, was incredible. I love "Time in a Bottle", but his other hits like "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" and "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" are very fun.
As for the origins of this song, Jim was in the Army and they often had to wait at pay phones on base to call their girlfriends, families or whoever. Oftentimes, soldiers get "Dear John" letters from their sweethearts breaking up with them while they're away, so he was inspired to write this song.

[@teddtarr]

Harry Chapin (Chay-pin) was another legendary songwriter/singer from around the same era, who also had an ultimately demise ( single car accident). He's probably best known for the two epic tracks: "Cat's in the Cradle" & "Taxi".
(" It was raining hard in 'Frisco,
I needed one more fare to make
my night,
A lady up ahead waved to flag me
down,
She got in at the light.....")

[@amygenevalee6393]

Amazing story teller! He had an amazing collection of music before he was taken too soon from this world. I remember my uncle giving me his music book when I first was learning guitar. Worn and used and I loved it and I still have it to this day.

[@terri2494]

I was ten when this came out. I never thought that he actually changed his mind about talking to the person he was trying to reach. (Someone in the comments said it was his ex who cheated on him.) I always thought he just needed someone to talk to so he made up an excuse to call the operator. That’s the beauty of good writing. Sometimes it is open to interpretation. I guess this is one of those times.
Gosh, he was a great songwriter and singer! So sad that he died so young. The plane crash that took him from us happened just over a year after this song was released. RIP.

[@joel65913]

He was very versatile being able to go very introspective with songs like this, "I've Got a Name" and "Time in a Bottle" but also swing from the rafters and rock out with tunes such as "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "You Don't Mess Around with Jim". For the short time he was on earth before he and his main collaborator Maury Muehleisen perished in a small engine plane crash he was quite prolific.
Another fine story song along the lines of this one is "Please Come to Boston" by Dave Loggins.

[@florida52001]

I was 14 when he died. I was DEVASTATED..Loved his music and it was my first experience losing an idol. RIP Jim...you were an amazing talent and I never forgot you. Still listen to your music to this day.

[@joshhencik1849]

Jim Croce was one of the greatest song writers. And his voice could capture the emotion so well.

[@TheGreatGig73]

Shon, some reactions are just going through the motions but you really do listen to the lyrics and get it. Great job. Your followers do appreciate it. You let us
live the old days again through your ears. A very sincere Thank! You! would you be able to check out Year Of The Cat by Al Stewart one day? You may like it.

[@lindseyherter6116]

Jim was gone before I born, but he was one of a few artists that both of my parents enjoyed. I was brought up on Jim and I know every word of every song.

[@treydog317]

Growing up in the seventies, my mamaw always had Jim Croce playing on the 8track in her car.

[@RotcivVanDahl]

One of the best singer song writers of all time. Sorely underrated

[@debbers]

I remember when payphones were a dime! Oh the good old days, now you can't even find a payphone and now if you do happen to find one you need a credit card to use one! loved your reaction Shon!

[@ceeceerider]

Love you Shon - what an amazing young man you are. For another great story song listen to Harry Chapin, Cats in the Cradle. Great reaction, as always!

[@Brandi6666]

RIP jim. You really did bring it 🤘❤️

[@dianenc]

Jim Croce's son, A.J., ended up becoming a talented singer/musician in his own right, and is currently doing a "Croce Plays Croce" tour due to so many requests from folk attending his performances to sing his father's hits.

[@aronp7097]

He's playin the heck out of that guitar at the same time!😮

[@melliehobson8299]

I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE OLD MUSIC!!!! He got something in his eyes (tears) it happens every time he thinks about the love that he thought would save him!

[@2GunRock]

The line that kills me: "She's living in LA, with my best old ex friend Ray, guy she said she knew well and sometimes HATED." Same thing happened to me the first time I had my heart broke. There was this dude that we both knew, he wasn't my best friend but we were friends. Every time his name came up she talked about HATING him, then she cheated on me with him. Beware if your GF/Wife says she HATES someone.

[@phillip8443]

Jim shot on scene and he was taken from us by a plane crash just when he started he wrote many hard feeling songs like operator but he also wrote really fun songs check out Leroy brown

[@donnapirelli6657]

September 20, 1973, this was playing on the radio when I was getting ready for work, it was after the song that they announced that Jim had been killed in a plane crash, he was just reaching the top of his game. RIP Jim Croce...gone to soon.

[@jenniferrodriguez5337]

Time in a Bottle is a great ballad. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown and Roller Derby Queen are more upbeat. All are must listen songs. But he did a live cover of The Ball of Kerry Muir is is raunchy a d HILARIOUS

[@melliehobson8299]

Oh now, this is the chick with the husband named Shon. This is Croce's BEST SONG. So sad, so well-written and played.

[@jackiesconiers4230]

Baby boy ..you are fantastic! Love your enthusiasm! Great reaction!

[@polgara3000]

My favourite Jim Croce song is "Time in a Bottle"... 🥰
It was used in a fight scene in the movie "X-Men: Days of Future Past", where time almost stood still and made it seem magical...

[@jeffpawlinski3210]

Shon, you're going to get a TON of worthy Jim Croce song suggestions. But as a lifelong Jim Croce fan, trust me on this, please explore two deep-cut gems that are so beautiful you'll be amazed! 1) "The Hard Way Every Time" and 2) "Walking Back to Georgia" "The Hard Way Every Time" is probably Croce's most honest, self-reflective, confessional song and "Walking Back to Georgia" is a heartbreaking yet hopeful song about a lost love. No one else will recommend these deep-cut wonderful songs and I think you'll thank me for the recommendation. Enjoy!

[@robincochran7369]

I second The Hard Way Every Time, I love that song and you described it very well.

[@jeffpawlinski3210]

@@robincochran7369 Thank you!

[@TheBohemianAngels]

You'd enjoy "Bad LeRoy Brown" and its story. Pretty cool. As well as "Time in A Bottle.

[@SandraMarkham-mq7hs]

Time in a bottle; Bad;Bad; Leroy Brown! Loved him so much!

[@DavidTateVA]

One of the things I love about your reactions is that you pick up on both the music and the lyrics so quickly. Jim wasn't with us long, but he penned a few timeless classics (this one, Time in a Bottle, I Got a Name, I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song) and some serious fun (Bad Bad Leroy Brown, You Don't Mess Around with Jim, Workin' at the Car Wash Blues).

[@ericwillison4011]

You should check out the version of this live on the Bert sugarman show. His accompaniest, Murray muhlheisen, adds so much warmth and glow to this song in such a subtle way like a viola in a string quartet that is played by a master. You don't notice it until the song is played without it.

[@garyshuck5546]

He is amazing wrote a lot of great songs in a short time before his plane crash. A lot of songs are still used in commercials tv shows and movies today. Other notable
Songs are time in a bottle, photograph and memories, big bad Leroy brown, I got a name, have to say I love you in a song, and my favorite lovers cross

[@mrsmorocco2010]

This is a good song!

[@dennisflury6942]

everyone of his songs are great real world lyrics. More of him Can't go wrong!

[@steveullrich7737]

Great reaction appreciate that you listen carefully and get the meaning, message and show empathy for the situation.

[@cdfdesantis699]

A truly phenomenal poet/songwriter, gone far too soon. Thanks for your reaction.

[@sherridelay2484]

He left us way too soon! Magical voice that could tell a great story

[@roberormonde]

His music is top notch amazing talent

[@PhilPastor]

Great reaction, Shon! My mother listened to Croce when I was just a lad in the early 70s, and I've always loved his music. But, I must say, that for such a young man, you have an incredible ability to catch the meaning of a song, and appreciate the music. Quickly becoming one of my favorite reactors!

[@sylvialopez5928]

Young man you have a old soul ❤ you have great taste in this old music

[@Uriahheep1975]

What about the line "there's something in my eyes, you know it happens all the time". That's a very moving lines too, mate.

[@lindat6910]

Grew up listening to this LEGEND! His voice is amazing!

[@persadies]

Time in a bottle. one of the best love songs.

[@TheNotedHero]

This is one of my all-time favourite songs, so good! He was taken from us too soon. Check out "Time In A Bottle" for another beautiful song from Jim!

[@rickmolmen178]

Shon, I love your ability to analyze lyrics. You have a perceptiveness and feel for the direction a song is going.

[@charliecochran3035]

Brilliant song about how it feels to get crushed. Hes trying to call to convince them hes ok, but he cant convince himself. Brutal.

[@hiko73]

JIm Croce was fantastic

[@suzypos4571]

I forgot how much I loved this song 🎵

[@ameyer1970]

So many great songs.
Lovers cross
One less set of footsteps
Photographs and memories
Roller derby queen
Box number 10
Bad Leroy Brown
Don’t mess around with Jim
Car wash blues
Time in a bottle
5 short minutes.

[@josephsperanza7866]

Time in a bottle is another great one by Jim.

[@michelleydenisey4697]

Jim Croce was amazing.

[@videoinformer]

Trying to get closure, he intends to make this excruciating call to convey he's "overcome the blow" of betrayal and loss of "the love that I thought would save me".
But, he can't even read the number he just wrote because the tears are welling up in his eyes. He realizes he can't go through with the call and, besides, "there's nobody there I really wanted to talk to." So, "let's forget about this call". Appreciating the kindness of the operator is his last grasp at something positive in this experience.

[@natalieburnham3300]

Truely enjoyed your reaction and appreciation for a beautiful song and great songwriter and artist. ❤

[@MarkChappell1]

Thanks for paying attention and catching the story right away. Great song and review.

[@scottdolby]

I forgot how much I enjoyed Jim Croce. Thank you.
🌀out - Keep Going

[@shezarae8827]

I like the songs, Working At The Car Wash Blues, and One Less Set of Footprints.

[@gkiferonhs]

Bad, Bad LeRoy Brown and Don't Mess Around With Jim are fun songs by Jim Croce.

[@watchwmn]

Love Jim Croce, every song, but some of my favorites are Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown- Roller Derby Queen- Don't Mess around with Jim- New Yorks Not My Home....

[@gregoryalbanst.bernard6193]

The melody sounds like a test run for his song I'll Have To Say I love You In A Song.

[@johnc1593]

Roller derby queen. By Jim croce. Tough song

[@danielschartzer1396]

Great reaction Shon 👍🏼
Classic
React to Jim Croce
BAD BAD LEROY BROWN 👍🏼 Jim Croce is a storyteller
You'll love the Bad Bad Leroy Brown story like for real
Peace out

[@katherinesimkins3325]

Try: Time in a Bottle

[@lilamuzik3385]

You shoud review "Rapid Roty the Stockcar boy"...for fun. " He gotta tatoo on his arm that say baby, and another one that just say hey, but every afternoon hes a dirt track demon in a "57 Chevrolet"! Youd love it!

[@brendastanford9545]

I loved Jim Croce. Another song Bad Bad Leroy Brown

[@katiebarbeau7563]

One of my all time faves

[@TheNotedHero]

For another artist I put in a similar category to Jim, have a listen to Gordon Lightfoot and his song "If You Could Read My Mind". He's a brilliant storyteller. "The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald" is another great true story that he put to song.

[@melliehobson8299]

You got it, spot-on. And your shoulders! So remind me of my husband. Shon must be the name of a great-looking man.

[@garyshuck5546]

Also his live versions are amazing

[@melliehobson8299]

It's great. Thank you for your time, you can keep the dime!

[@rogerdaly6326]

Shon you'd be hard pressed nowadays to find a storyteller/singer/songwriter of this caliber. They just don't make em like Jim anymore. Check out his songs "Bad , Bad Leroy Brown" & "You Don't Mess Around With Jim". Both are great upbeat cool songs i think you would love.

[@racheldavis6581]

FAM, you gotta listen to TIME IN A BOTTLE!!!

[@user-fk2is1bf3e]

Shon you’re reactions are great ! Jim Croce is a legend

[@77Biomed]

You must check out his Greatest Hits; Jim Was Special; RIP Jim Croce...