Maury's guitar work was every bit as much of the reason for Jim's success as Jim's voice was. The two playing together was beyond incredible - the thought of what they could have accomplished had they not been taken from us too soon is mind boggling......
I've been a Croce fan since the early 70's. I've never forgotten the line, "It's what we've done, that makes us what we are." I've used this line many times in my life when helping people get through some of life's problems. RIP Jim.
Gorgeous song, isn't it? It's my favorite of Jim's & Maury's remarkable body of work. VERY important artists, both of them. They represented everything that was genuine, heartfelt, and unspoiled in music. We should be ashamed to accept the drivel thrown at us today. I do NOT accept it, but many do. Kudos to you, my friend, for picking out that profound and honest lyric.
I don't know anything about music but since I was a kid I always loved the guitar on this song. It's fun to see a celebration of the person behind that.
Jim was a perfect example of the old addage, don't judge a book by it's cover. If you saw him on the street, would you imagine the talent that lied within him? He was truly blessed by God with that voice and songwriting ability. RIP Jim. Generations will enjoy your music and through those songs you have become immortal.
"If that's the way that you want it, well that's the way I want it more." Preach on, Jim! Drop the mic and exit stage left! We need more breakup songs like this. And Maury was on as usual - wasn't he a beast on lead?
I came to YT app right now specifically to hear that lyric! Been loving it since I was a kid. It's the perfect "venting" song. Belt it out loudly and it makes you feel better! God bless Jim and Maury.
I miss Jim Croce & Maury Muehleisen. What a profound tragedy to lose Jim & Maury on the same day. I alway thought of this song as his best. Rare and exceptional talent shown here and in every performance. This was music that came entirely from the heart and from life's experience. Makes today's pop selections seem pretty pale by comparison. Maury was such an integral part of Jim's sound, with that Martin guitar and those string bends and old two-note R & B runs all over the fingerboard.
I feel a special connection to Jim, he was born January 10, 1943 and I was born on what would have been Jim's 31st birthday, January 10, 1974; he died a little more than 3 months before I was born. Jim also worked as a special education teacher working with emotionally disabled students, which is what I do for a living. Jim was also in the U. S. Army as I also was, I have been a fan of his extraordinary music and songwriting since I was a very small child. The world is not the same without you!
although I hate to admit it --I know I grew up in the late 60's and graduated in 1973 from high school---therefore the music of Jim Croce was definately a BIG part of my "musical soundtrack "of life waaaaaaaay back then! I still love to listen to all of his songs-------Jim Croce was a GREAT talent gone WAAAAY before his time!!!!!
This is what music is all about! Pure and true, and simple..Not like today with all the screaming, swearing, and weird clothes make up etc, we lost our way with music, too bad we can't get it back..
Thank you for posting this video to TH-cam! It's hard to believe, but he and Maury died over 48 years ago now. I fell in love with Jim Croce and his music when I was just a child. I was only 11 years old when he passed away, but his music has shaped my life ever since I first heard it. True story, my older sister got the "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" album and would play it all the time. I would hear the first notes of "Operator" and would come barreling into our shared bedroom, hyped up to hear what I thought was the song, "My Maria". At first I was bummed out to have been tricked, but after awhile Jim's songs grew on me. He is still my favorite artist, ever! Thank you for sharing this video with the world!
This is one of my favorite songs by him. I'm 15 and have loved his music for years I like the music we have today but it's never gonna be as good as this
Easily one of the best guitar team-ups ever. Maury actually was more well known than Jim when they started up but he happily took the back seat to Jim's songwriting and persona. To the general public he was just a footnote when they both went down together, but to those who know, they was a team.
You just got to love the way Jim could a song together right to the heart .. He could make you feel the words in the song . you are missed Jim very very much ...
I was born in 1977 so Jim was already gone when I heard him the first time. I was a little boy and to this day I can listen to him all day. Great song writer and performer. Thank you for posting this vid.
I was born too late to ever remember seeing him perform live.But my mom used to listen to Jim Croce when I was a tyke.Every time I hear one of his songs, I feel myself rushing back to simpler times.Thank-you for the memories
I always loved Maury's accompaniments, and this clip showcases them nicely. He never said much, but he knew just what to add to Jim's beautiful songs. What a tragedy that we lost them both. The songs live on.
I grew up with this in my dad's car on an 8-Track..........Didn't like it then, but all the words sank in my head.........Now I am cranking it on an I-Pod in my truck..........Full Circle.........Same with Simon and Garfunkle ! Thanks Pop, for introducing me to some timeless classics!
I had a Jim Croce cassette tape playing in my car really softly when I was driving my girlfriend one night and this song came on during an argument. It took all my will power not to turn up the volume and use some help from the late great Jim Croce to tell her how I felt. I broke up with her in the coming weeks but this song makes me smile even more just knowing that the poetic timing of this musical legend couldn't have been better that night.
DENNELLO I agree I do miss the days of acoustic guitar, especially since I was a lead singer in a rock band (lol) but I still miss those days, I now play a bit of acoustic I never took the time to be very good at it, maybe in my really old age! I miss this man!
I just noticed that he switched the lines "one less man to walk in" and "one less voice a talkin'" around from the album version. Still amazing...my favorite s/s of all time! Thanks for posting.
I grew up listening to alot of Jim Croce as my parents are big fans of Jim Croce. Now I appreciate Jim even more esp with alot of talentless hacks now being pushed by record execs.
I was just sayin that the other day to a guy at work. Also like he had a consistent sound on every track hes on ive been tryin to replicate it for ten yrs
Ah, "to be in love is to suffer..." That's what romantic love is to me - when your partner's happiness is more important than your own. Thanks for connecting me to this song. Obviously I'd heard the song before, but never seen this performance. Always a big Jim Croce fan! Please see my Comment below. Have a great day and as always, gracias por la musica, amigo! Mark
There is nothing like the sound of a microphone as the pickup for the acoustic. It's so much more true to the actual tone of the guitar. It's the only way I will play my acoustic live.
Oh, but tomorrow's a dream away, and today has turned to dust, your silver tongue has turned to clay and your golden rule to rust, if that's the way that you want it, that's the way I want it more... so poetic and yet so childish, I think we can all feel that
Agreed, Jim was great - and don't forget Maury! That signature Jim guitar sound is largely actually Maury's playing - and frequently Maury's composition as well. Also, while most of the songs Jim recorded were originals, he did several covers. "I Got a Name" wasn't written by Jim, and I know he covered a Gordon Lightfoot tune, though I can't remember which one.
If you go to the Sugarmegs site you can hear his entire last show on the night he died. Artists are listed under their first names, so go to "J" and you'll find it. Lots of other great artist's shows as well.
He looks much younger here than some of his other photos. You can tell all the touring and shows he performed before his passing took mentally exhausting toll on him
@BarstoolBlues33 Maury released 1 LP "Gingerbread" his family has bought the rights from Capitol and it is available in CD format also available is a demo CD from the same release. Worth seeking out.
I can say this I think as a HUGE Jim Croce fan, I'm not so sure how he would have progressed musically, don't forget the 70's were very much a singer/songwriter era, you wonder how he would have done through the new wave of the 80's, and other changes after that., I think he was so good he would've found a way to stay relevant, but...it's not a given. Sure wish we could have found out.
I remember loosing my V-card to my high school crush back in '78. We got alittle tipsy on some home made wine while we were parking in my dads Chevy. Damn she knew how to please a man. She did this thing with her tongue....It would drive a man wild.
Check out Pete Huttlinger's Series "How to Play the Songs of Jim Croce." He shows Maury's leads and fills on this song. Both volumes are really well done.
![Jim Croce - Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/khYxP7TiFSA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Jim Croce - Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels) [Official Music Video]](/img/tr.png)
"Your silver tongue has turned to clay and your golden rule to rust"; what a statement....
Maury's guitar work was every bit as much of the reason for Jim's success as Jim's voice was. The two playing together was beyond incredible - the thought of what they could have accomplished had they not been taken from us too soon is mind boggling......
Absolutely!!! .. a match made in heaven!
Awesome licks for sure!
No-one played lead acoustic guitar as brilliantly and sweetly as Maury. No-one ever will.
I've been a Croce fan since the early 70's. I've never forgotten the line, "It's what we've done, that makes us what we are." I've used this line many times in my life when helping people get through some of life's problems. RIP Jim.
Gorgeous song, isn't it? It's my favorite of Jim's & Maury's remarkable body of work. VERY important artists, both of them. They represented everything that was genuine, heartfelt, and unspoiled in music. We should be ashamed to accept the drivel thrown at us today. I do NOT accept it, but many do. Kudos to you, my friend, for picking out that profound and honest lyric.
Holy Cow!! Maury was an awesome guitarist but he is completely amazing on this track! True musical magic!! I can't quit listening to it.
I don't know anything about music but since I was a kid I always loved the guitar on this song. It's fun to see a celebration of the person behind that.
It is not a contest.
If you like this you like this.
If you like that you like that.
Music is like women.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Jim was a perfect example of the old addage, don't judge a book by it's cover. If you saw him on the street, would you imagine the talent that lied within him? He was truly blessed by God with that voice and songwriting ability. RIP Jim. Generations will enjoy your music and through those songs you have become immortal.
"If that's the way that you want it, well that's the way I want it more." Preach on, Jim! Drop the mic and exit stage left! We need more breakup songs like this. And Maury was on as usual - wasn't he a beast on lead?
I came to YT app right now specifically to hear that lyric! Been loving it since I was a kid. It's the perfect "venting" song. Belt it out loudly and it makes you feel better!
God bless Jim and Maury.
I’ve never seen Jim Croce with a beard! I love his music.
As opposed to the pre-packaged rock stars and divas today.. Jim Croce's soul comes out in every song! Why he is not in the Hall of Fame is a disgrace!
I miss Jim Croce & Maury Muehleisen. What a profound tragedy to lose Jim & Maury on the same day. I alway thought of this song as his best. Rare and exceptional talent shown here and in every performance. This was music that came entirely from the heart and from life's experience. Makes today's pop selections seem pretty pale by comparison. Maury was such an integral part of Jim's sound, with that Martin guitar and those string bends and old two-note R & B runs all over the fingerboard.
The dudes sure could tell a story.
@@-Diamond-Dave- And then some. Peace and health to you.
He always thought this would be his number song... above all the rest.... to us. every one of his songs are number. One
I feel a special connection to Jim, he was born January 10, 1943 and I was born on what would have been Jim's 31st birthday, January 10, 1974; he died a little more than 3 months before I was born. Jim also worked as a special education teacher working with emotionally disabled students, which is what I do for a living. Jim was also in the U. S. Army as I also was, I have been a fan of his extraordinary music and songwriting since I was a very small child. The world is not the same without you!
Talent doesn't need corporate backing, Jim Croce R.I.P.
I'll forever be thankful to my dad for introducing you to me and my sisters. We grew up with your song JC!
And he's thankful to you for not believing that music has an expiration date ; )
Every song this man writes and sings carries a message that most of us can relate to. What a shame we lost him so long ago....God Bless Jim Croce
Unbelivable duo..Maury the heartbeat and Jim the Heart... RIP my friends....
although I hate to admit it --I know I grew up in the late 60's and graduated in 1973 from high school---therefore the music of Jim Croce was definately a BIG part of my "musical soundtrack "of life waaaaaaaay back then! I still love to listen to all of his songs-------Jim Croce was a GREAT talent gone WAAAAY before his time!!!!!
This is what music is all about! Pure and true, and simple..Not like today with all the screaming, swearing, and weird clothes make up etc, we lost our way with music, too bad we can't get it back..
God how I cried when he died.....saw him at a coffee house concert....he was always one with the audience......too bad there are not more like him!!
Jim Croce should be known like all the other legends are in today’s time
Thank you for posting this video to TH-cam! It's hard to believe, but he and Maury died over 48 years ago now. I fell in love with Jim Croce and his music when I was just a child. I was only 11 years old when he passed away, but his music has shaped my life ever since I first heard it.
True story, my older sister got the "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" album and would play it all the time. I would hear the first notes of "Operator" and would come barreling into our shared bedroom, hyped up to hear what I thought was the song, "My Maria". At first I was bummed out to have been tricked, but after awhile Jim's songs grew on me. He is still my favorite artist, ever!
Thank you for sharing this video with the world!
This is one of my favorite songs by him. I'm 15 and have loved his music for years I like the music we have today but it's never gonna be as good as this
Same giiiiiiiirl 😁 glad to see I'm not the only teenager here
I can't stop coming back to the legend. He's just too listenable.
Its 2020, and I have this and several more of his songs on a thumb drive I was listening to today coming home from work.
Man, truly one of the greatest musicians of all time, love this!
Easily one of the best guitar team-ups ever. Maury actually was more well known than Jim when they started up but he happily took the back seat to Jim's songwriting and persona. To the general public he was just a footnote when they both went down together, but to those who know, they was a team.
You just got to love the way Jim could a song together right to the heart .. He could make you feel the words in the song . you are missed Jim very very much ...
I was born in 1977 so Jim was already gone when I heard him the first time. I was a little boy and to this day I can listen to him all day. Great song writer and performer. Thank you for posting this vid.
Another beautiful song man what a rich voice
I was born too late to ever remember seeing him perform live.But my mom used to listen to Jim Croce when I was a tyke.Every time I hear one of his songs, I feel myself rushing back to simpler times.Thank-you for the memories
I always loved Maury's accompaniments, and this clip showcases them nicely. He never said much, but he knew just what to add to Jim's beautiful songs. What a tragedy that we lost them both. The songs live on.
I grew up with this in my dad's car on an 8-Track..........Didn't like it then, but all the words sank in my head.........Now I am cranking it on an I-Pod in my truck..........Full Circle.........Same with Simon and Garfunkle ! Thanks Pop, for introducing me to some timeless classics!
18 years old and i still love this song as much as i did when i was 3.
i got to spend two years close to them and alll their best friends. we had some really nice gatherings. i miss them today like it was yesterday
This is one of the very few Jim Croce videos where he has a beard! Pure classic!
I love all of Croce's stuff!! I agree, one of the greatest acoustic guitar singers ever. Some of the greatest legends died so young!!!
I totally agree that we lost two of the best...Together they gave us so much...Beautiful stories wrapped beautifully in a musical package.
Short hair , bearded Jim Croce. Distinguished look , timeless music.
I was 12 years old when the world lost these two fantastic musicians. Imagine what they could have continued to bring to the world.
I always listen this music, all the day, make me feel good.
So much talent.... love his music... and style.... miss him singing on the radio
RIP, Jim and Maury. You were taken from us way too soon. Hit #37 in Billboard. God bless!
Best music ever, ;listened since way back, miss this guy
Great song, by a God gifted talent who left us far too soon!
I had a Jim Croce cassette tape playing in my car really softly when I was driving my girlfriend one night and this song came on during an argument. It took all my will power not to turn up the volume and use some help from the late great Jim Croce to tell her how I felt. I broke up with her in the coming weeks but this song makes me smile even more just knowing that the poetic timing of this musical legend couldn't have been better that night.
Awe how I miss Jim Croce !! Love this song thank you for posting it !!
DENNELLO
I agree I do miss the days of acoustic guitar, especially since I was a lead singer in a rock band (lol) but I still miss those days, I now play a bit of acoustic I never took the time to be very good at it, maybe in my really old age! I miss this man!
I love love love this song!!!!!!!
Love this song and love both of your guys. Thanks for these timeless expressions of creativity.
probably the single most underrated songwriter of all time
They were great
Jim and Maury ROCK! Man I miss that guy.....
we all love and miss you jim. we wish we still had your musical genius here with us instead we hav only wat u left behind
One of the greatest singer/songwriters in history! Not to mention he could play that acoustic.
Jim lives . In his music and our hearts
I just noticed that he switched the lines "one less man to walk in" and "one less voice a talkin'" around from the album version. Still amazing...my favorite s/s of all time! Thanks for posting.
Jim, viviste tan poco y tu huella está en toda una generación que creemos que nuestra vida es mejor gracias al aporte de tu talento...
i love folk and country music!!!
Its a shame he died so young.
R.I.P Jim Croce you were a musical god
@MickDylan28 lol I was born in 86 and no every word from every song....timeless indeed!
Bela canção bons tempos 👏👏👏
I grew up listening to alot of Jim Croce as my parents are big fans of Jim Croce. Now I appreciate Jim even more esp with alot of talentless hacks now being pushed by record execs.
Best break-up song ever.
I love this video.
Good stuff....he was the best
Maury was the best acoustic guitarist ever
I was just sayin that the other day to a guy at work. Also like he had a consistent sound on every track hes on ive been tryin to replicate it for ten yrs
I'd argue with John Denver, but with songs like this or the solo for Say I love you(In a song), it makes it hard. So, I have to agree. So much talent.
Django Reinhardt?
@@SuperEcwchampion django reinhardt?
@@brentshinn1060 django?
A great artist and the Maury isn't bad either! One of my fave songs! Thanks a bunch for uploading!
Ah, "to be in love is to suffer..."
That's what romantic love is to me - when your partner's happiness is more important than your own. Thanks for connecting me to this song. Obviously I'd heard the song before, but never seen this performance.
Always a big Jim Croce fan! Please see my Comment below.
Have a great day and as always, gracias por la musica, amigo! Mark
Jim's best song for me...
One of his most energetic songs.
Salute,,,
Brother,,
There is nothing like the sound of a microphone as the pickup for the acoustic. It's so much more true to the actual tone of the guitar. It's the only way I will play my acoustic live.
2 of the best.
Wonderful talent
I miss him.
Oh, but tomorrow's a dream away, and today has turned to dust, your silver tongue has turned to clay and your golden rule to rust, if that's the way that you want it, that's the way I want it more... so poetic and yet so childish, I think we can all feel that
Me to these are in my life always
love ya Jim
jim croce is a GOD!
Agreed, Jim was great - and don't forget Maury! That signature Jim guitar sound is largely actually Maury's playing - and frequently Maury's composition as well.
Also, while most of the songs Jim recorded were originals, he did several covers. "I Got a Name" wasn't written by Jim, and I know he covered a Gordon Lightfoot tune, though I can't remember which one.
They were so tight together
If you go to the Sugarmegs site you can hear his entire last show on the night he died. Artists are listed under their first names, so go to "J" and you'll find it. Lots of other great artist's shows as well.
non radio play klassik .......croce rocking!!!!!
The best break up song ever.
Very Nice!
Mabuhay si jim croce!
Interesting the transitional step here between clean-cut Jim and the rough look that really defined his image.
He looks much younger here than some of his other photos. You can tell all the touring and shows he performed before his passing took mentally exhausting toll on him
@BarstoolBlues33 Maury released 1 LP "Gingerbread" his family has bought the rights from Capitol and it is available in CD format also available is a demo CD from the same release. Worth seeking out.
An American troubadour to da end!
xterrahawaii have not heard of them will check them out for sure thanks for the tip,,
top 40 hit 6 months before that damn plane went down, at least he lived to see Leroy Brown reach no.1 nationally
mine too! Always will be.
I can say this I think as a HUGE Jim
Croce fan, I'm not so sure how he would
have progressed musically, don't forget
the 70's were very much a singer/songwriter era, you wonder how
he would have done through the new wave of the 80's, and other changes after that., I think
he was so good he would've found a way
to stay relevant, but...it's not a given.
Sure wish we could have found out.
This guy was the best bar none.
"We've been hidin from something that shouldve never gone this far/But after all it's what we've done that makes us what we are" Miss ya Jim. RIP
I remember loosing my V-card to my high school crush back in '78. We got alittle tipsy on some home made wine while we were parking in my dads Chevy. Damn she knew how to please a man. She did this thing with her tongue....It would drive a man wild.
"Its what we've done that makes us what we are."
thanks
It looks like Maury was using an unwound 3rd string. He bends up a whole step at :00, :25 and more. I've always loved these guys.
Check out Pete Huttlinger's Series "How to Play the Songs of Jim Croce." He shows Maury's leads and fills on this song. Both volumes are really well done.