Operator - Jim Croce | The Midnight Special

Jim Croce performed on The Midnight Special June 15, 1973
Follow us on Social Media:
/ themidnightspecialtvshow
/ themidnightspecialtvshow
/ themidnightspecialtvshow
/ tmstvshow

[@patrickschlosser8208]

In my opinion this is one of the greatest and most beautiful songs ever written. Thank you Jim for the music you gave us.💙

[@jean-marieboucherit4518]

I agree

[@bryanamory5116]

True

[@jmack619]

The iPhone people dont understand

[@wesleejones2983]

I agree

[@PoppaSquat-et3qp]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@nannynonsense46]

50 years ago today Jim and Maury passed away in a plane crash. Some of the greatest songwriters of all time just one year into their career. RIP Jim and Maury

[@saysizzle]

This is my favorite Croce song. The world missed out on so much music from these two incredible gentlemen.

[@pbmw]

🙏🏾

[@KaarinaKimdaly]

Heartbreak.

[@MichaelWood-d7s]

Agreed 👍 Maury was from Trenton N.J my hometown ❤️

[@vinzgozer]

And amazing guitarists

[@janicetrimmell6897]

I could listen to Jim and Maury all day. The finger picking is unbelievable.

[@bluebird925]

Absolutely!!!

[@Full_Name]

oh yeah, they sure can pick and pluck those strings

[@michaelsix9684]

Maury was classical trained guitarist, he was superb

[@Soupslusher_68]

Died not even four months later. His music will keep him alive till the end of time

[@AnthonyKing77282]

Only 4 months? That’s just messed up

[@MickeyT54]

Singing live was expected. No help. Just vocal talent. The Midnight Special is missed.

[@stevenelson3515]

Jim would have been a megastar in the mid to late 70’s had he not died. He had talent and he had charisma. You were just drawn to the man. And Maury was one of the absolute finest guitar players of the generation. Amazing talent.

[@pammhamm1]

On the day his music died, I was playing violin in a “Chic” style R&B band in Ohio. When I heard the news in the club, I gasped and said “Oh NO! It’s not fair! He just got here!” and ran outside in tears. I was 19 and I’d go home after the gigs and play Jim Croce and Cat Stevens and just chill until nearly dawn. This song still makes a tear on my face and in my heart. 💔😢 God Bless Jim, and thank you.🙏🏾🎶🎻🕊️

[@bobh9652]

Dear Mr. Sugerman, or whoever has released these to youtube, Thank You. It is such a treat to have these songs and episodes available for viewing. Really like the Croce performances, and the clips of Fleetwood Mac from 1973 are phenomenal. Please keep all these '70s and '80s shows coming. Hope to see the Doobie Bros, Marvin Gaye, Tom Petty, REO... Oh, just keep posting them all! You had almost everyone from that era who recorded music on The Midnight Special.

[@Care960]

We used to watch midnight special every Sat night after SNL. Those were the good days.

[@dennisdemark8151]

I agree with Bob 🙏🏼

[@jennifersman7990]

Yes, it’s Burt Sugarman releasing these. He was smart enough to retain the rights to all the Midnight Special shows

[@jennifersman7990]

@@Care960 Midnight Special aired on Friday nights after Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show and only went off the air when David Letterman started his late night show in 1982

[@Care960]

@@jennifersman7990 your absolutely right, there was another came on Saturday nights, I just can't remember the name. It wasn't as poplar as midnight special. First person I saw on there was Leon Russell.

[@coreymiskell410]

Jim and Maury not only passed at the peak of their careers, they were just getting started. What a classic song. Bless them both.

[@dawntaylor2669]

The fact that we are still listening to this 50 years after his death tells you what a true talent he is. STILL one of my favorites - miss him.

[@michaelsix9684]

worst part is most of his royalties went to the wrong people lawyers and his mgmt. according to his wife, his wife and son never got what they should have from his music

[@Jackass9598]

I couldn't agree with you more Dawn 😊

[@jibbel-ff5sf]

number 4 out of my 5 favourites...

[@keepgrindingup7661]

"You can keep the Dime" Every word in the song is perfect.

[@FoardenotFord]

This is one of the most beautifully sad songs ever written, but the real heartbreak was losing Jim just a few months after this performance. To think of all the joy and solace he would have brought to millions of listeners if he’d had a full career is almost too much to bear. RIP Jim, you were certainly one of the greatest of all time.

[@francescadesmond8846]

"Think about the love that I thought would save me". Devastatingly beautiful poetry. And three short months after this show aired, two of these beautiful men would die in a plane crash. Jim Croce was 30, Maury Muehleisen was 24. That was 50 years ago-Sept 20, 1973. Pure unadulterated talent. Heartbreaking just like this song. RIP to two great musicians/singers/songwriters. Thanks so much for posting.

[@joejones9520]

i know, and i like how he softens his voice here to make that line hit even harder...such a timeless sentiment; we all dream that something will save us and we all fear that nothing ever will....

[@francescadesmond8846]

@@joejones9520 Yes, you are so right about the softness in his voice in delivering that line. Great point. And isn't it poignant how we all have the same hopes & fears? Sigh.

[@zachsimmerock5257]

​@francescadesmond8846 & he didn't have to use foul language or imagery to "sell the show", What a wonderful time in history. Now it's like a contest to see who is most "shocking/revealing/salacious". Very very good music. It's almost like some small part of his eyes know and show/impart how fleeting life really is. He isn't the only one we have lost who seemed oddly aware they wouldn't live a long life. Except immortality from the beautiful tones that they produced. I miss singer/songwriters like this. We (the world) could use some more like Jim &Marty.

[@francescadesmond8846]

@@zachsimmerock5257 Only those with no talent resort to shock value. Croce was clear on who he was & that was talent defined.

[@marcuscanyon2054]

My 12 year old self cried when i heard of his passing on radio .. the world lost a special man

[@macstark9853]

I don't think that I can listen to this song without getting tears in my eyes. One of the most beautiful songs ever. Thank you Jim

[@joelgoff1111]

One of my Dad's favorites. He's been gone almost 8 yrs, miss you dad.

[@karlfortuin5794]

One bad thing about this song is it ends...simply beautifully written!!

[@joshuapaolino2199]

Fifty years after their deaths tonight, Jim and Maury's music lives on. RIP.

[@michaelgeary4978]

this is what music used to be...it's real emotion.

[@MCW1955]

Look what real talent sounds like. No trickery or auto tune. They sure are missed.

[@lukeoliver6488]

There’s still a multitude of good music coming out, there always has been, and always will be. Just gotta turn off top-40 radio to find it.

[@joejones9520]

they would have used auto-tune in the studio if it had been invented then and their music would have sounded exactly the same to us as it does now but the studio process wouldnt have taken as long for them or cost as much and maybe because of that Jim wouldve had dough rolling in by then which he didnt which is why he fulfilled small dates like the last one he ever did because every bit of money helps when you have no money yet because it's still being taken out to pay back the studio production costs which were exorbitant in those days because it took a lot of hrs and takes to get things just right.

[@TheYamahog12]

@@lukeoliver6488Who said there isn’t any new music that’s good?

[@richbarnes9567]

@@joejones9520This date was live on tv with no autotune and sounds damn good, doesn't it? I doubt they had to spend much time in the studio to get a great vocal take from Jim. The way I heard it was the money was finally rolling in and they were bookings much bigger places and doing national tv gigs such as this one.But Croce had committed to some small dates a year prior to becoming so famous and wanted to live up to his commitments.

[@peacebewithu9684]

As a guitar player, people have no idea just how hard it is to finger pick and make the chord adjustments to this song let alone while being able to sing the song at the same time. Truly a special talent.

[@CodeBleu724]

Feel the same way. Just think how hard it is to play Fleetwood Mac's Never Going Back Again...trying to play Lindsey Buckingham's guitar part and trying to sing it too.

[@D6EH]

Legend. RIP Jim.

[@robkinstle29]

Tremendous talent taken way too soon. RIP Jim and Maury

[@johntechwriter]

Jim and Maury live on. Just look at your screen!

[@matthewoconnell114]

I grew up listening to Jim. Such beautiful songs, both the lyrics and the fingerpicking. We moved to San Diego in 1996 and went to Croce’s a number of times. His wife ran the restaurant and there were photos of Jim all over. It was nostalgic and heartbreaking, and at the same time wonderful to think that people still respected the beautiful music he made almost a half century earlier. How many of those people are there? Not many.

[@joshoohah]

The summer of 73 I was 10 years old and at camp. Our bunk house councilor had a record player and introduced us to some great music: Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Joni, John Denver. When I heard that Croce had died right after being introduced to him and loving his music, I think that was the saddest I hd ever been in my young life.

[@VikingMale]

50 years and I still cry when I hear this song…

[@robertseguin4875]

no auto tune no cell phones no producers, just simple talent

[@sammcbride2149]

One of my very top favorites from the 70's. #JimCroce

[@joelnadeau9035]

Your new channel is, hands down, one of the top 3 things on KZbin. Period. An absolute treasury. Thank you so very much for this.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Wow, thank you!

[@Mr.HotRod]

I like still many others grew up through this period of time. I knew right away this channel was going to be a smash hit. How about "Soul Train / American Bandstand"? let's early rock and roll!!!

[@banditdarval9401]

​@@Mr.HotRodST & AB were not live performances & all lip synced to the studio recording. Barely worth watching.

[@Mr.HotRod]

@@banditdarval9401 👎👎👎

[@catmansma]

One of the best songs written. Perfect in it's story. In a few minutes, you know this man, feel the pain, and feel sorry yet proud of him at the same time. Songs had to be quick in the 70's. Radio stations wouldn't play a song if were too long and not easy to tell a story in 2 and half minutes. The song is rarely covered-by professionals at least-he was a master at the guitar. The chords are fast and furious. He died just when I fell in love with his music.Such a tragedy

[@rickguerrero2282]

I used to stay up until midnight as a young kid to watch this show. It opened my eyes to so many great musicians of that era!

[@cottonplant100]

I was a high school student during this time when Croce appeared on Midnight Special. It was a must watch on a Friday Night at Midnight.

[@johnrizzo2262]

The audience is spellbound.

[@rocknrollkitchen]

They were great live, but the mix is awful on this - can't really hear the lead guitar or piano at all

[@zachnoyes8603]

Jim, I hope you’re resting easy. You passed 50 years ago today. I’ve been listening to you all day, (and there’s been something in my eyes all day). RIP.

[@EternallyThankful-os6pz]

When I was kid , I'd scoff at my parents listening to this "boring" music...wow...was I DUMB !!!!! Years later , I learned to play guitar and got a little wisdom and music sense...now listening to classics like this , not only do I recognize the genius of the music and lyrics , I realize just how much we have LOST with modern music !?!?! I miss singer / song writers like this...they are a treasure that is missed.

[@MostlyBrenda]

Amazing! Only live do I realize how many chords and guitar fills there are and how fast they are picking. And yet on record OR live it sounds smooth and natural as can be. You don't know how much is going on till you see it.

[@ozone385]

Jim was one of the best singer song writers we will ever hear.

[@oneanddone7992]

If you haven't already, read his biography. It was written by his wife, and a must-read.

[@krisgreenwood5173]

You should of been around in the early 1970's when Jim was singing hits on the radio every day. What a great time to be a teenager. June 15, 1973 was my first day in the US Army. I apparently missed this episode. I was busy that night.

[@petertonelli2761]

Thanks Jim for all your great songs.

[@tonypalermo5796]

By 1975 he was my favorite artist, I was 10 years old. Remember hearing about his plane crash on AM radio.

[@Summer73343]

Oh… so many memories.. good memories… when times were much simpler… much less complicated and my whole life was in front of me. Good times..lovely video…the summer time of my life🎉

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@steveker5084]

His stuff never gets old, only better. What a treat.

[@davewhiting9730]

Three guys, all playing an acoustic instrument and singing harmonies. Just don't see talent like this anymore

[@BuffaloC305]

Listening to the dixie-plastic-cup Ovations is such a ponk-ponk disappointment compared to the earlier video using Martin D-35s. Obviously, though, Ovation was paying big-bucks to get their plastic guitars in front of the cameras. Losing Maurice with Jim was a blow few recognized at the time - everyone knows Jim went down but few remember Maurice Muelheisen's name.

[@davepedersen2115]

I've had "Photographs & Memories Jim Croce's Greatest Hits" on LP, 8 track, cassette, CD, now it's on my phone.❤️

[@PeppieP]

Sad thing is kids nowadays don’t know what we used the operator for and a dime. All from a much more simplistic time (although my parent may not have thought this). Singers singing from my heart and of all my heartaches. Love this channel. Thanks so much for sharing x

[@jeffm8480]

Midnight Special on FIRE🔥

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Look at this amazing performance and realize the horrible display of corporate sponsored music today...

[@josephroman8568]

This was music! Plain and simple!🎶✌🏻

[@waynejohanson1083]

And it had soul and was heart felt.

[@romuloballer6487]

@@waynejohanson1083 o00ìòpkñķ .#okp K 00⁹

[@tecnopceros1376]

simple and plain, absolutely not, this is a great piece of music, I spent aroud three months to learn to play it in the simple musical arrengement (with just one guitar), however this masterpiece played as it must be (with all the musical chords, double guitar and arrengements) is all except plain. And I haven´t even started to talk about the lyrics in it.

[@joejones9520]

@@tecnopceros1376 and then try to sing like JCroce; people dont realize his voice is as hard to passably imitate as say Hendrix, TPetty or Kurt Cobain, superficially it seems like their vocals were an afterthought to their great music, like they werent even trying hard, but then you try and you quickly realize their voices were as integral a part of their unique gifts as their writing or playing.

[@rictech.]

2023… and still listening to him..

[@merlinsclaw]

Words cannot express how much I love this. 💙💙

[@goldenthug9]

****** GEM ******

[@justinwilliamson5500]

Maury and Jim were meant to make music together. One of the best pairings of all time.

[@shldnfr]

When people talk about great songwriting duos Lennon & McCartney and Taupin & John are always mentioned but Jim Croce & Maury Muehleisen are right up there with them. What a phenomenal collaboration.

[@justinwilliamson5500]

@@shldnfr I agree 100%. Wonderful artists gone too soon.

[@B.G.216]

This guy could’ve rivaled Bob Dylan if his career wasn’t cut short. Special talent with his ability to write. Oh and by the way he can sing. Legend.

[@MattGizmoGittins]

Couldn't agree more I'm 30 years old but my dad taught me about real music So glad he showed me Jim's music

[@HomeAtLast501]

A massive talent. While this was always my favorite Jim Croce song, "Time In A Bottle" is simply timeless. It's like the man was able to put into words and sound in that song an emotion that every human being who has looked upon his beloved has experienced in the deepest recesses of their universal mind.

[@brahmburgers]

A song doesn't get better than that.

[@deandee8082]

Jim Croce, gone way too soon, miss that guy

[@jimb408]

"You can keep the dime".

[@kenn118]

Remembering the great Jim Croce on his 50'th death anniversary.

[@mrmojorisin8752]

A song that towers above all of Jim’s other great songs. Transcendent, timeless. If you could make the hall of fame for just one song, this would be it.

[@Callipygous1975]

Step into the pre-digital age. Performers had to do it live!

[@greg7656]

well, sometimes. American Bandstand of course was always lip-synced.

[@Callipygous1975]

@@greg7656 yes, many shows lip-synced, but the groups toured and had to play live in concert. The shows saved money by not having to set up the audio for each group.

[@MattB_138]

@@Callipygous1975 that AND they didn't have to risk some idealist speaking their mind on live TV

[@Callipygous1975]

@@MattB_138 Debbie Harry, for instance, did an anti-nuke rant in a song on this channel.

[@robinleebraun7739]

Both playing Ovation Balladeers.

[@guitarenigma]

Actually, I think they are Ovation acoustic-electric Legends based on the fretboard binding. As I recall, Maury played a shallow bowl and Jim played a deep bowl. 😊

[@dennisdemark8151]

Rest in Peace Jim, Maury and Tommy. 🙏🏼🕊️🙏🏼 🎼🎤🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎸🎸

[@Mr.HotRod]

And Buddy and The Leonard Skynyrd Group , Laura B., Whitney John D, Elvis and many many others. , I hope a lot of them will show up here eventually in all their glory.

[@Me97202]

Poetry.

[@stevensmith743]

How perfect is this song?

[@BigD53]

No one could tell a story in song like this man. Still miss you, Jim!

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

The lyrics, melody, and timing of these performers are so amazing and fun to watch.

[@edalder2000]

What gets me about "Operator" is that it's in a major key. The lyrics and phrasing just intensify the heartbreak. Croce was able to tell a story in a straightforward way where no one was to blame. As I have grown older, I realize that bad things "just happen" even if I do everything just "right." Jim Croce had that sense of world weariness that made him seem like he was talking just to you. I was born in 1972. My mom raised me on John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Diamond, Simon and Garfunkel, and Jim Croce.

[@kieranlobo1752]

I, too, had noted this is played in a major key, but comes across as melancholy. I find the way Jim wrote so fascinating and effective. It really does feel like he is talking just to you. Not trying too hard, but singing incredible melodies. I'm also a massive, massive Lightfoot fan. Not that Jim's work is easy to sing accurately and effectively, but Gords definitely comes across as with more effort, but is still effective in a similar way. What's would be your description of Gord's style? How do you think their writing styles are similar?

[@classicguitarfan8]

Good observation - I had always just assumed this song was in a minor key

[@host_theghost507]

It still defies belief that not even a year and a half passed between "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and his death. All it took was a year for Jim and Maury to go from might-have-beens to legends... and that year was all we got. This song still brings tears to my eyes, for so many reasons.

[@chrisjensen9941]

Jeeze! I die for this man every time I feel this pain...What a perfect story.

[@SesameStreetRacingChannel]

Beautiful song...great era...great artists.

[@PWatts-ff2fd]

My favorite song ever! "She's living in LA with my best old ex friend Ray."

[@bartalinigibb]

Infelizmente sua carreira foi curta. Sua obra foi intensa e maravilhosa. Obrigado por compartilhar esta preciosa apresentação.

[@JorgeGonzalez-km5mu]

This.....This part of my life.....is called..MUSIC,, eternally grateful My dear Friedns Gringos

[@markoman5267]

..."and you can keep the dime." Jesus...every time.

[@joan-annebross9217]

Like Badfinger, we tragically lost him too young. So much music lost. 😢

[@tb0yp]

Wow

[@petepratti251]

What is amazing is how he looks into the audience one by one. Not sure how many I have seen that can do that.

[@rick11720]

Saw this when it originally played. It was also on The Midnight Special that I learned about Jim passing. It broke my heart. Thanks for the music Jim.

[@brian15571]

Less than 3 months later we lost this forever😞

[@eightinches3671]

And I think the other guitarist there was also killed in the plane crash with Croce.

[@georgevangordon9728]

Horrible day in music history when we lost his talent

[@rca6576]

How wonderful that you all still have all this footage! I generally am not fond of what the internet has done to society but, this? Every once in a while there are gems. This is a gem.

[@NoelBenavente]

I just watched this video 3 times in a row... how beautiful is folk music from the 70's. 🥺

[@stuarthightower418]

I could watch this and John Denver/Cass Elliotts performance of “Leaving on a Jet Plane” over and over again.

[@w1o2l3f4i5e]

We called it pop music when it was produced

[@harrisonmccullough1183]

what a voice. 2023

[@bdennis19851]

The only artist I can put on and not skip 1 song

[@unclerudy9797]

Great Tune and an Incredible Talent.

[@innocentvictim9920]

I heard this song when I was a young boy. I have been making an effort to mend the relationship with my dad. I made sure I attended every single event my kid was involved in. Strange how a song can change someone’s life for the better. Thank you Harry Chapin for that.

[@Care960]

What a loss. RIP I remember the day I heard he was killed in a plane crash on the radio.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Yes, a horrible loss.

[@Care960]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow just found out I was pregnant that day with my first child. How sad is that.

[@evanpeters87]

Shame that Jim and Maury were taken so early, Jim's amazing lyrical compositions paired with Maury's phenomenal playing skill was just so special, the chord changes are just incredible here, they do them so effortlessly. RIP Gentlemen, thank you for sharing your gifts with us !

[@notalkjustwalkorride3928]

Brilliant ...and live with no auto shite, just all ability. Love it!

[@dougsharp605]

Classic in every sense of the word

[@sirrealistic5625]

❤

[@davideck3635]

A favorite of both me and my Mom. Such an impeccable songwriter and guitar player. And that voice was soooooo sweet. He definitely had a significant influence on my guitar playing as well. Thanks for posting these restored versions. They are such a joy to watch.

[@MatthewPoplawsk]

God bless your memories and God bless your souls Jim and Maury. Both gone WAY WAY TOO SOON.❤❤❤😢😢😢😢

[@JohnSmith-dh4gw]

I was in Nacogdoches when he crashed leaving Natchitoches. "Time in a Bottle" was played at my Father's memorial service.

[@jennifersman7990]

I’m convinced that if Jim Croce lived, he would’ve had exactly the same career as Jimmy Buffett

[@harmonium8198]

Ouch. Of course, we can't know what would have happened, but I think Croce did enough while he was with us to suggest that his career would likely have had more seriousness and dignity in it than Buffett's.

[@wildsmiley]

Christ, I would hope not

[@Sandi-ke9mi]

What a voice, love this song so much. We lost him way too soon. 🙏🏻💕

[@KannibalKrunch]

Love Jim ❤️

[@lijojosepeter]

Operator, oh could you help me place this call You see the number on the matchbook is old and faded She's livin' in L.A. With my best old ex-friend ray A guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated Isn't that the way they say it goes But let's forget all that And give me the number if you can find it So I can call just to tell them I'm fine and to show I've overcome the blow I've learned to take it well I only wish my words could just convince myself But that's not the way it feels 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 Isn't that the way they say it goes But let's forget all that And give me the number if you can find it So I can call just to tell them I'm fine and to show I've overcome the blow 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 Operator, are oh let's forget about this call There's no one there I really wanted to talk you Thank you for your time Oh you've been so much more than kind And you can keep the dime Isn't that the way they say it goes But let's forget all that And give me the number if you can find it So I can call just to tell them I'm fine and to show I've overcome the blow 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

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Man, those were truly the days.

[@MIKE-TYTHON]

Wow, this is a treasure😮