Operator - Jim Croce | The Midnight Special

Jim Croce performed on The Midnight Special June 15, 1973
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[@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.

[@user-ko8qb4rg1m]

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

[@vinzgozer]

And amazing guitarists

[@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.🙏🏾🎶🎻🕊️

[@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

[@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.

[@MickeyT54]

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

[@Soupslusher_68]

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

[@Matian728]

Only 4 months? That’s just messed up

[@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

[@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.

[@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?

[@marcuscanyon2054]

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

[@michaelgeary4978]

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

[@joelgoff1111]

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

[@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.

[@joshuapaolino2199]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@lesleyroyle600]

Beautiful gentle song…………..this man’s been so very missed 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@robertseguin4875]

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

[@karlfortuin5794]

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

[@keepgrindingup7661]

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

[@davewhiting9730]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@tonypalermo5796]

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

[@rictech.]

2023… and still listening to him..

[@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.

[@VikingMale]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@robkinstle29]

Tremendous talent taken way too soon. RIP Jim and Maury

[@johntechwriter]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@user-vk2hq5mw6s]

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

[@johnrizzo2262]

The audience is spellbound.

[@JohnDesmarais]

Every time I meet someone who thinks all of Croce's songs were kind of silly things like "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" & "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" I direct the to go listen to "Operator". Guaranteed to hit you squarely in the feels (particularly in a live performance)

[@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.

[@D6EH]

Legend. RIP Jim.

[@michaelnotigan7796]

We are now at the 50 year mark since Jim, Maury and the rest of those passengers on that flight were killed. Had they lived, they would have been old men in the twilight of their lives, right now. Here we are, those of us who remember this song in real time, old where we were once young, listening to this song on the radio. Their talent survives now and it will live on long after we too, are gone, thanks to this medium and these old videos that captured them playing together, in that one moment in time. For as long as the acoustic guitar will survive and for two people who want to play together making song, Jim and Maury will live forever.

[@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

[@georgevangordon9728]

Horrible day in music history when we lost his talent

[@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

[@juliewilliams1945]

My Dear Friend from grade school had the radio station dedicate this song for me. We were in 6Th or 7Th grade. He unfortunately passed away a few years back. Anthony, Thank You for loving me. I will never forget you or this moment in time🙏🏻

[@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.

[@timmyjimmyshimmywhimmy]

Can we just stop and admire @1:56 - how cool of a shot did the editor put in to show the three-part harmony

[@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.

[@deandee8082]

Jim Croce, gone way too soon, miss that guy

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@sammcbride2149]

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

[@JohnSmith-dh4gw]

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

[@steveker5084]

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

[@markglabinski526]

….” Think about a love I thought would save me”….. I miss this guy.

[@brahmburgers]

A song doesn't get better than that.

[@BigD53]

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

[@lesliesimmons9657]

Was 12 13 maybe 14 when he was at the top of his world. Miss you man.

[@johntechwriter]

The audience is spellbound throughout the performance. "There’s something in my eyes . . . "

[@notalkjustwalkorride3928]

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

[@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.

[@luisbergantino1207]

I was 8 years old when this song came out. One of my brothers who was a free-spirited guy, loved his songs. I must admit that that dude influenced me greatly and that I remember the feelings that it gave me to listen to his music.

[@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.

[@user-er2ys7jh7e]

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

[@kevindick7485]

Our past treasures are memories to many and all who seek them in the preserved archives of film, documentaries , books , interviews . Jim Croce is one that chapters that barely got started and was taken too early .

[@user-wd2iy9bc7y]

I saw Jim warm up for Steely Dan many years ago. He put on a real good show!

[@petertonelli2761]

Thanks Jim for all your great songs.

[@Sandi-ke9mi]

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

[@markoman5267]

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

[@chrisjensen9941]

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

[@AntisocialRedNeckNerd]

This song had both elements necessary for a great song, great guitar and clever lyrics. It takes me back to my high school days.

[@jeffm8480]

Midnight Special on FIRE🔥

[@JLange642]

A Legend in his prime! Why is it the good always die young?

[@bdennis19851]

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

[@mikedriggers3635]

I saw this live on TV then as a 14 year old. ❤

[@myles-spikewebby8519]

I could listen to Jim all day like this one. His music lives.

[@guyconnell2250]

this performance right here, right after I saw it that night on TV, was THE reason I got a brown Ovation guitar. And I still have it. Jim and that band were a few of my original music/guitar heroes.

[@phobowl]

I had one too! 😂😂❤❤

[@BXtremP]

Astonishing video quality. God how can I miss some man who died decades before I even born. Talented, simple, soothing and kind sould, a legend to be musician, if life had not be so crual. Incredible guitarist with him. Incredible song, incredible rendition. Wish I was born way earlier to experience all this beauty live. Rest in peace, Jim, you were good friend, very good.

[@merlinsclaw]

Words cannot express how much I love this. 💙💙

[@StringerCourier]

When I stumbled on this that night in '73, it was the first I had heard of Jim Croce. I was 20 at the time, and his music has been at the top of to-play list ever since. What a tragedy that the life of such a great emerging talent was snuffed out so soon.

[@jackboyd9055]

I'm a 22 years old and I'm here witnessing the beauty of this song that I discovered last night 😮❤

[@PC-dc1kv]

@@jackboyd9055I’m glad you found this gem 💎

[@jackboyd9055]

@@PC-dc1kv yeah I know it may sounds weird but I play this song repeatedly for a bunch of hours 😄

[@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.

[@kathrynkathryn4836]

Jim had such a unique voice. And the song is beyond belief. Croce is definitely missed and will never be forgotten.

[@soulnik]

A perfect song in every way. Melody, lyrics, chorus, bridge, harmonies, guitar playing, etc. Wow.

[@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.

[@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 👎👎👎

[@PerfectoKiss]

The best love song ever IMO.

[@michaeldrago6999]

Love this song - I live in Trenton NJ - one block away from where Maury grew up

[@shanebush2751]

Gone far to soon. I can only imagine what Jim would have done if he didn't pass away. Unbelievably talented.

[@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

[@5150crazyfun]

Timeless music and a great live performance. To this day one of my favorite songs because of Jim’s unique voice and storytelling. As cliche as it sounds, they don’t make music like this anymore. So sad he died tragically in a plane crash 3 months after this live special at only 30 years old.

[@user-pl3yn6jj9b]

He is legend in music history about 70"s Era, I miss very much Mr. Jim croce

[@harrisonmccullough1183]

what a voice. 2023

[@tofromks]

It’s early impossible to listen to this and not get a lump in your throat.

[@lt.columbo5919]

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

[@goldenthug9]

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

[@GingerbreaddGypsy]

Sweet Maury. I could stare at his face all day. ❤

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Man, those were truly the days.