Lost Talent | Jim Croce - Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)' | Vocal Coach Analysis

[@BethRoars]

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[@ricksurratt9034]

It is a great album

[@luther1546]

Make no mistake, this is an absolutely brilliant live performance. These men were true masters. Wonderful...

[@jim55price]

Jim Croce (pronounced "crow-chee") was one of my favorite artists back in the day. That was 50 years ago now, and his music is still great. Thanks, Beth, for this reaction. Cheers.

[@steveturner3999]

The "You can keep the dime" lyric is sung with such emotion. I tear up every time I hear it. Gone waaaaaay too soon. R.I.P.

[@tas22222]

What a gem, gone too soon but left us with gorgeous songs that solidified his music in our history !

[@timothybryant665]

My brother got a Dear John letter during Vietnam, so this hits me. Thank you.

[@taylortyler1867]

"Time in a Bottle" is my favorite by him and it hits so hard, knowing how and when he died.

[@tr_vmi4844]

Jim and Maury were such an amazing duo.....gone since 1973 and still relevant. I love their music,

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Jim called Maury a one man orchestra. So true

[@GeraldH-ln4dv]

When they first started playing and writing together, Maury was going to be the front man for the duo. But he quickly realized that Jim's songwriting skill was just next level, so Maury stepped back into the background.

[@gsquat]

It's crazy how many great songs he has in such a short amount of commercial time.

[@trishbridges992]

Love him!!! He died too soon!

[@gregthomas1346]

He had so much more to give

[@ish474]

When I was a little kid, my mother would listen to his greatest hits album on vinyl all the time. Anytime I hear his voice, I think about her

[@firedoc5]

Jim was killed on my 8th birthday in Natchitoches (Nak-a-Tish), Louisiana when his airplane clipped a pecan tree at the end of the runway. His music is timeless with his voice and lyrics which still gets to me.

[@endoravin]

This is adorable. Beth is so young she does not remember phone booths, or know what "Dear John letters" really were (not just to soldiers) or about snail mail. But she hears the complex chords right away--something which has eluded me for decades, and she hones on on the harmonies so quickly and I was hardly aware of these. She is like an archeologist piecing together the elements which made this song endure for so long. Her side bit on airplane crashes is good: these folks were flying in small planes with less experienced pilots--and she's reviewed "The Day the Music Died." Love to hear what she thinks of Dave Loggins ("Please Come to Boson.") She may not know the places mentioned, but she'll know why the music works. What a fascinating analyst she is. She is the student every professor dreams about.

[@delscoville]

Jim Croce's music, complex in many ways. Often even humorous. BTW it's prounounced Krow-Chee.

[@garymaidman625]

Actually, you haven't quite got the pronunciation right either. Being his last name is Italian, the E is pronounced as a soft E and not a hard E, so not Crow-Chee but Crow-Cheh, with the Cheh bit rhyming with meh.

[@S0ldeed]

I'm blown away by the ease he has in producing that vocal tone. Also, they're both incredibly precise, both vocally and instrumentaly, but with no eye contact. Not only an amazing piece of songwriting, but a masterclass in rehersal and preparation.

[@louismarzullo1190]

His songs were always playing at home when I was a kid. His death was a big blow to our family. R.I.P., buon anima.

[@BryanH63]

I was 8 years old when the announcement of Jim passing was made on TV.. I was a huge fan and cried, so upset. I just saw his son (Croce Plays Croce) in concert a couple weeks ago. He did a great job covering his father's songs. I teared up throughout this whole song.

[@kylesummers1565]

Yep, I was 7.

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

@@kylesummers1565 I was 5 or 6, but I was aware of this and other Croce songs!

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Huge influence!

[@raygunsforronnie847]

Big shout out to CPC! Wonderful presentation and adds context, too.

[@Boa_Omega]

It is times like this being near 50 I am so glad I grew up on music like Jim's in the late 70s and early 80s. Such powerful lyrics to put you right where he wants.

[@mikemaricle9941]

Sure thing kid, I'm 63. ;^}

[@ericwilson5453]

Jim always takes me back to my childhood. My parents gave me an excellent start in music.

[@stevesnow315]

I remember watching this on television. I was and still am blown away by the craftsmanship of both Jim's and Maury's guitar work. It was in every song I ever heard by them.

[@dscotthoward7467]

"you can keep the dime" sums up the whole song. Classic Jim.

[@Steveh112]

One of my favorite songs of all time. I was born in 65 and grew up listening to Jim's music. I get something in my eyes too every time I listen to it, not only the heartbreak of what the character in the song is feeling but thinking about how his life and career were cut way too short. He was just getting started and it so sad how many more great songs the world missed out on. Thank you for helping keep his music alive by introducing him to a whole new generation who may have previously never heard of him.

[@MattTee1975]

He's not even thirty years old, but already seems like he's lived a lifetime.

[@Ryan-ff2db]

It's unfortunate how accurate your statement is. While not what you meant, he died very shortly after this, so it was his lifetime. It seems almost unfair that died right as he was getting famous. It's unfair to him and it's unfair to us, as he almost certainly would have created additional masterpieces. What a tragedy.

[@roneichstaedt8853]

And the concert he had just finished when the plane went down was a 'make up' show at a small Louisiana college. He booked the show before he had made it big, but had to postpone. Suddenly he was hugely popular, but still insisted on doing the gig, since these were the kind of fans that supported him at the beginning. Everything, including the plane, was a last minute arrangement.

[@roneichstaedt8853]

Many of his less known album cuts are very similar to Operator-songs about an average guy, down on his luck, living in a strange city, maybe just broke up with someone... He was an incredible writer.

[@professorD72]

We had this on an 8-track tape when I was a kid. Magic Childhood Memories ❤

[@andreatheriot8940]

Same. My mom LOVED him, and I think of her every time I hear him.

[@willblood7082]

Great reaction 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 my favorite lyrics are: “Operator, oh could you help me place this call 'cause i can't read the number that you just gave me, there's something in my eye's; You know it happens every time I think about the love that I thought would save me” as, to me, it evokes the image of his eyes welling up with tears and he can’t see the numbers clearly.

[@garymaidman625]

To you? That's exactly what he means.

[@BobSiefken]

"Photographs & Memories" is one that will break your heart in the most beautiful way.

[@wtimmins]

I adore the lyricism, harmonies, and delicate melodies of Jim Croce.

[@michaelmorrissey2248]

His talent was huge, but his ability to finger pick and sing and look so relaxed is amazing. No tension in his face or body, just singing this beautiful and touching song. Jim and Maury you are missed!

[@luther1546]

I thought the same. It's remarkable to see someone so immensely skilled and so easy. A true master.

[@bigmike2464]

Jim Croce was one of the best singer/songwriteers. His lyrics resonated with everyone

[@robert_bbiii]

So well written. Sets time, the relationships. Even if you don't know what a phone booth, an operator, a number on a match book, or the keep the dime line you understand from the song.

[@keithwest2148]

This has always been my favorite Croce song. If you've ever been through a painful break-up, it can be hard to suppress the tears while listening.

[@leonardshevlin7260]

Especially if the first or second time you thought that you were over the loss and the heartache it turned out you weren't yet.

[@thomasschmidt1836]

Storytelling was a hallmark of the 70's. That artform has all but died in recent times and that is what seperates timeless classic from songs that will fade away quickly.

[@mamatthews78]

Grew up listening to Croce. He sounds like coming home. The combination of his guitar and his voice, with the insane artistry of his songwriting sets the standard in my brain for what I want out of music.

[@brianduffens2803]

It hurts to imagine all of the potential masterpieces we lost in that plane crash.

[@garymaidman625]

Actually, almost certainly none, because he was on his farewell tour, he was leaving the music industry to spend time with his wife and newborn son.

[@robincochran7369]

Not just Jim, but Maury as well.

[@steve83333]

Really nice Beth, I always loved Jim Croce's music. I was in high school at the time.

[@fr2ncm9]

The really sad part was that at the time of the crash, he was planning to stop touring so that he could spend more time with his family. I think Time in a Bottle was one of the best songs of the 70's. It was a love song to his wife.

[@guitarmanblues]

I've been waiting for this reaction for a long time! Thanks!❤

[@PatrickFitzgerald-wt9fc]

A National Treasure! God Bless His Soul! Thank You! Be Well!

[@mikebunner3498]

There is some impressive guitar playing in this classic. Jim had a greatest hits album early in his career. This video & song are GREAT!!!!!

[@firemedic5100]

The world lost a great songwriter, and a great singer in 1973. But because great people continue to listen and watch Jim, he will never be forgotten.

[@jetteboy]

I recently saw his son perform live. I love Jim and I love your take on him.

[@johneldridge8678]

What a GORGEOUS song!!!

[@jimmonia3962]

The analysis was holistic: she revolved on all aspects of the music including the back story. Jim is in the apex of folk genre. 🎉 No auto tune, no fake fogs, no colorful moving head lights, just their voice and guitar.

[@amazingronaldo9656]

My parents were both into Folk Rock at the time. My dad loved Jim Croce. I am very glad to have heard all his music and learned to really love it. He was such a wonderful song writer!

[@jjh5374]

Jim Croce’s music just takes me to a different place mentally. Such a wonderful, unique artist.

[@jeffdetmer4681]

Lovely reaction Beth. Jim has been a favorite of mine for years. So many amazing songs. I honestly believe that he would have been among the most prolific writers if not for his untimely death. You are right. Far too many wonderful talents snuffed out in crashes. Add to the list you showed John Denver (plane crash) and Stevie Ray Vaughan (helicopter). Just wanted to mention something about Jim's name. Back in the day everyone called him Croce (pronounced like Crow-chee. I thought for years that it was correct. However, I found a video on KZbin of Jim and Maury on the old Dick Cavett TV show and he asked Jim for a correct pronounciation, and Jim said (Crow- chay). Jim and Maury had such an amazing blend in their vocals. Stay safe and well. Good luck with the album.

[@31Mike]

Jim's wife says "Cow-chee", so that's what I go with. I've never seen the video of Jim specifically saying his last name before.

[@jeffdetmer4681]

@@31Mike Here is a link to that video. You can skip to the end of the song when Cavett joins them on stage. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXeon3eulMyUeas

[@keithbird8910]

The 70s was a golden era for singer-songwriters and Jim was up there with the very best. Unfortunately, due to the way the recording industry works, he barely made a penny from his genius. At least we still have the music - Thanks Jim!

[@Djieff]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time!

[@bobduerwald9805]

Maury Muehleisen produced his own album and made a deal with Jim Croce: Whoever hit it big, the other guy would provide guitar work for the other. Jim hit it big and Maury went along with him .The album by Maury is titled Gingerbreadd(yes with 2 D's). Best songs are A Song I Heard, Love Is Just A Passing Thing, One Last Chance, Wintry Morning, and Elena. Maury was another artist of the 70's who "fell through the cracks" due to the amazing amount of excellent Folk singer artists. Only 11,000 copies of this album were produced and were sent to all the radio stations nationwide. I have a copy of this marvelous album I am happy to say! Too bad they died in the plane crash when they were just getting started!

[@EchoesDaBear]

Great reaction Beth!! Beautiful song - all of his works are - they're like a soothing balm (even his more up tempo tracks!) Jim was a bright light extinguished far, FAR too soon! RIP.

[@patrickcousins13]

Grew up listening to Jim Croce on my mom's old turntable and he is still one of my favorites. His lyrics were so earthy, nothing wasted, but he evoked so many relatable human experiences. Even dying so young he had an outsized number of songs that have stood the test of time.

[@rhphotocdn]

Fantastic Review! Jim Croce is surely missed, his song writing and voice was amazing, R.I.P.

[@swoesteban5570]

In very rural areas "party lines", more than 1 family on 1 line and you could listen in on your neighbors calls, were still the norm as late as the early 70's.

[@MarkBtvd]

This was one of my favorite songs when it was released. Jim Croce was an excellent lyricist and composer. Interesting details in your popups that I hadn't seen before. Another tragic loss of a talented musician due to an aircraft crash in bad weather is Stevie Ray Vaughan. And then there's Koby Bryant, his daughter and their friends, again in bad weather. Geoff Castellucci just released a cover of Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around with Jim".

[@JackBrassell]

Listening to your comments helped me understand why Jim Croce has continued to be a favorite throughout my life. I was only 7 when he was killed. I once heard someone on the radio talk about what one artist would you want to listen to if you were on a deserted island alone? Mine would have been JC. You never get tired of hearing the songs and they stand the test of time due to the story telling and music.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

"my best old ex-friend Ray" How much story is revealed in those five words!

[@cdnrednek1027]

Time in a Bottle, another one of his best.

[@tonykyle2655]

Back around 2005 I was able to photograph her son who was doing a concert with Strings Attached in Austin, TX. He looks a lot like his father.

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Jim could play phenomenally, but that dude with him, Maury Muehleisen, was a monster!

[@pauldickens5246]

Flawless, even live!

[@manwithumbrella]

Disappointed you didn't make even one mention by name of Croce's guitarist Maury Muehliesen. Without his sublime guitar lines and harmony vocals, Croce's music would've been much less than it was. Maury died in the same plane crash with Jim at the young age of 24. He'd only been playing guitar for 7 years when he passed but was already a masterful fingerpicker. There are 6 chords and it's in the key of G.

[@tdave1234]

Thank you for saying this. In my mind there is Jim Croce the singer/songwriter and “Jim Croce” the recording duo. On their slower, more melancholy, songs (this one and “Time in a Bottle”, for instance), Maury’s playing just adds so much to the mood. He was a brilliant accompanist. RIP to both.

[@chazzmichaelmichaels5766]

Check out "dreaming again, and Alabama rain". They didn't get much radio play in the day. These songs were really about something, and usually about self reflection on life.

[@williamfors7692]

He was only 30 when we lost him in a plane crash. He was way too young, but his music will live on forever. R.I.P.

[@mst3ktemple421]

Wonderful reaction to such a heartfelt song. I definitely suggest listening to his song I've Got A Name. Another one that makes me tear up when I listen to it, which I love when a song can bring out those emotions.

[@AndrewDyson-u2u]

And I've Got A Name is perhaps one of the very few that he didn't actually write!

[@mst3ktemple421]

@@AndrewDyson-u2u True, but it was a perfect song for him to perform.

[@AndrewDyson-u2u]

@@mst3ktemple421 Totally; brilliant tune. A shame we didn't see this song recorded live for those acoustic shows he did with Maury. It's on a par with Operator for my fav Jim song. I'm glad it got some traction with the next generation a few years back in Tatantino's D'Jango movie

[@roneichstaedt8853]

He had so many lesser known cuts that were emotional gut punches "Walking Back to Georgia" and "Alabama Rain" about maybe getting the girl back; "New York's Not My Home", a lonely fish out of water; and the Harry Chapin-like "Salon & Saloon" about running into an old friend after many years. All remarkable lyrics.

[@AndrewDyson-u2u]

@@roneichstaedt8853 Those of us who "Photographs and Memories" album are most familiar with all these wonderful anecdotal homages, and others. "Time in a Bottle [and other love songs]" is his other brilliant compilation album.

[@mgrogan4126]

One of my favourite reactors reacting to one of my favourite artists. Nice treat.

[@andersmartinson1750]

Another joyful and insightful analysis. Always love to hear what you're listening to and what you think of it.

[@howardsmith3758]

Fantastic analysis. As always you've taught me something about why I love the songs I've always loved. (KROH-chee by the way, an Italian name)

[@garymaidman625]

Kroh-Cheh in fact, in Italian, the vows aren't pronounced as hard vows, but soft vows.

[@willjohnson8446]

The Canadian singer-songwriter, Stan Rogers, died in a plane wreck as well. It was a commercial flight in Texas. Due to that crash, we now have running lights on the carpets of planes to help folks crawling in smoke find exits.

[@carolynruppersberg1000]

Saw him in concert. All alone, sitting on a tall stool, in FRONT of the main curtain. Unforgetable !

[@davidmiller189]

Such a talent, can only imagine how much more music he had to give if his life wasn’t cut short.

[@URnickel_MY2cents]

I grew up listening to this in real time ! *_TRUELY FABULOUS !!!!!_*

[@davidgagnon3781]

Thank you for reacting to an artist who doesn't get enough attention.

[@richardn8866]

I surprised myself hearing this song for the first time in maybe 40 years. I still remembered the words and I sang along. He was such an amazing storyteller. Gone too soon. Thanks Beth!

[@cent-kz2ti]

He is truly one of those artists that i wish couldve stuck around for awhile. He really knew how to write beautiful songs

[@LeahE16]

I adore this song so much, and this was performed flawlessly. Beautiful.

[@waynesmith7410]

There's just so much about this song that ends up with me getting smoke in my eyes every time I hear it. Every time. Even now.

[@scottcarter8155]

One of the biggest stars in rock heavy early 70's. I cried when I heard of his death.

[@kennymonty8206]

I'm an old guy. So, I remember this when it was new. It played on the AM radio stations all day for weeks. I was just a little kid, but it really hit me. I eventually learned to play the guitar at least in part because of him.

[@Bar-Buryin]

I grew up hearing and singing along with Jim my whole life... One of the greatest singer songwriters of all time.

[@wompa70]

This is arguably the most beautiful and complex but simple sounding song ever written.

[@Robert-tj3qq]

I was young when Jim died , i knew something good had just gone away . Jim we Loved you Brother ❤️

[@geneobrien8270]

Just FYI, the last name is pronounced "Crow-Chee"

[@myrondyal6117]

REMEMBER THIS IS LIVE!!!!!!! THESE GUYS ARE GREAT!!!!!!

[@bigtalk2598]

Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Carly Simon, etc., etc. No one within 40 years can hold a candle to these guys.

[@TerryYelmene]

I simply didn't realize... none of us did... none of us who came of age in my generation (graduated high school in '76)... we didn't know that the music of our 'young lives' would be the greatest music of our 'entire lives'. In hindsight, I'm just so incredibly grateful and glad I had the ecperience and those who've come along since, can share it, if they have the desire to 'hear' it. Thank You @bigtalk2598 for staking out our 'musical era's' claim of 'greatness'!

[@kallsop2]

👍 All of those were part of my childhood in the early 70's.

[@kallsop2]

@@TerryYelmene I graduated in '81, but was exposed to all the music of the 60's and early 70's by my brothers that graduated in '70, '71 and '73 and a dad who liked classical and big band and mom who was into country. So much of the music then had bits and pieces of all of it and that to me is a big part of what made that era so good.

[@clintjo2377]

When I see and hear this I time travel to my youth before cancer Its so healing !😃

[@TerryYelmene]

Thank You...for this reaction. - - - IMHO. 'Operator' is among the most cleverly composed lyrical songs ever written. Throughout the entire song, verses and chorus, even the small tonal change bridge, each phrase is 'overheard' as a one ended side of a truly heartbreaking telephone conversation with a complete stranger... a telephone operator. That level of creative genius hasn't come around often in my 65 years of music appreciation. So agian, Thanks for sharing how 'special' this song and its composer are. RIP Jim.

[@Vyselink]

My favorite line from this song is the final one. "You can keep the dime". Ending a song can be very difficult, but that final line not only ends the song but to me implies that he's letting the woman go as well, or starting to anyway. Love it. Amazing songwriting.

[@tonydelapa1911]

Loved Jim’s music as a kid in the 70s. Appreciate him even more now at age 64. I would love to see the show Croce Plays Croce. Will have to look and see if it comes anywhere near southwest Michigan.

[@mattp422]

I loved Jim Croce since he first hit the scene in the early ‘70s. From one Philly native to another: Miss ya Jim

[@manwithmountain]

The song lyrics are very good. Mary Spender also has a video on the song that is worth watching.

[@mariebishop7357]

I was 12 years old when I heard on the news that he had died in a plane crash. I had an album of his, and I played it over and over until I almost drove my mom nuts. I was heartbroken at the loss of him and his great music, and all that might have been,yet never was.

[@chippullin]

Thank you! Jim is the best!

[@aldron66]

He's one of the greatest folk singer I'd always like to hear... Love all her songs most especially "Time in Bottle"❤❤❤

[@macfilms9904]

I grew up with this on the radio - loved it then, love it now. the line that always gets me "...a love that I thought would save me"

[@monty11bravo]

It's definitely one of my all-time favorite songs, and he is brilliant. I love watching you learn a few things. I am a retired combat vet. I have seen many soldiers' reactions at home and when deployed. It's heartbreaking. I so relate. Keep up doing your thing and being you. You are a bright star, and we need many more beautiful stars.

[@RiyazLearnSinging]

Great analysis of the song! Loved the insights into the lyrics and music. Thanks for sharing!

[@randymarsengill6035]

Yes! A massage for the brain. 😎

[@mikegray-ehnert3238]

Rick Beato also reacted to this. Along with a long career in most aspects of music he taught music in New York's university system. Iknow he'll spend time on the chord progessions. Another band that we lost in a plane crash at about the same time Chase. Their big hit was Got to Get in on. The band had four outstanding trumpet players who would cascabing trumpet waterfalls. Saw them live in college.

[@marshallgeorge3819]

I knew as soon as I saw you were reviewing this one that you would love it.

[@billwyatt2449]

They published his entire book of work. It has wonderful insights into some of his raw recordings. He left a huge amount of work in a very short period of time. It is one of my cherished possessions in CD.

[@jeffreymeyer4848]

A very raw recording of Croce singing "Coal Tattoo" is incredible both to listen to and to analyze.

[@kallsop2]

His music was part of the tapestry of music that I grew up with in the 70's. I was 10 when he died in a plane crash and I can remember being sad that he was gone. Still listen to his music today. Jim you left us too soon.

[@kurtbaier6122]

They were masters at their craft.