Gladys Knight, born on May 28, 1944, developed her singing style while singing with her family at Baptist church functions. Though the group first released recordings in 1958, their career really got started when Motown founder Berry Gordy witnessed them perform at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1966 and felt very impressed. With a career following spanning decade after decade, featuring many hits, the group has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Operator
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That line is busy all this time
Won't you please dial the number
Operator, dial the number
I've got to reach that baby of mine
I've got to tell him that I'm sorry
For the things I've said
So won't you please dial the number
Operator, dial the number
And see if you can get him to talk to me
Oh
I wonder who he's talking to for so long
I hope he hasn't found
Found somebody new
Oh won't you please cut it
Because it's an emergency
And tell my baby
Tell my baby forgive me
I've got to tell him that I'm sorry
For the things I've said
Sorry as I can be
So won't you please dial the number
Operator, dial the number
And see if you can get him to talk to me
Oh
I've been waiting
For your call so long
Dial my telephone
Just dial the number
In Gladys Knight & The Pips's song "Operator," the singer is desperately trying to reach her significant other by pleading with the telephone operator to dial the number for her. She is apologetic about her past mistakes and needs to tell him that she is sorry. The lyrics suggest that the singer may be feeling insecure about her relationship, as she wonders who he may be talking to for so long and fears that he may have found someone new. She emphasizes the urgency of the situation, hoping that the operator can get through to him so that she can apologize and ask for forgiveness.
The song portrays the struggles of communication and the toll that misunderstandings can have on relationships. At the heart of the lyrics is the theme of the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and seeking forgiveness when needed. The singer recognizes the importance of communicating her apologies and wanting to make amends with her significant other, highlighting the power of forgiveness and the willingness to listen to each other in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Operator, are you sure
The singer needs reassurance from the operator that the line is truly busy.
That line is busy all this time
The singer has been trying to reach someone, but the line has been consistently unavailable for a long time.
Won't you please dial the number
The singer requests the operator to dial the number they are trying to reach.
Operator, dial the number
The artist reminds the operator of their request to dial a specific number.
I've got to reach that baby of mine
The artist needs to contact someone special to them, whom they refer to as 'baby'.
I've got to tell him that I'm sorry
The singer has something important to say to the person they are trying to reach.
For the things I've said
The singer wants to apologize for whatever they said that warrants an apology.
Sorry as I can be
The artist is genuinely remorseful and wants to convey their regret as much as possible.
And see if you can get him to talk to me
The artist wants the operator to try their best to connect them with the person they are trying to reach.
I wonder who he's talking to for so long
The artist is curious about who the person they are trying to reach is speaking to, since they have been occupied for an extended period of time.
I hope he hasn't found
The singer has a fear that the person they are trying to reach might have found someone new.
Found somebody new
The artist thinks that the person they are trying to reach might have found a new romantic partner.
Oh won't you please cut it
The singer is urging the operator to end the current call the person they are trying to reach is on.
Because it's an emergency
The singer considers the situation to be urgent and important.
And tell my baby
The singer refers to the person they are trying to reach as 'baby' and wants the operator to convey a message to them.
Tell my baby forgive me
The artist wants the operator to ask the person they are trying to reach to forgive them.
I've been waiting
The artist has been eagerly anticipating a call or message from the person they are trying to reach.
For your call so long
The singer has not received a call from the person they are trying to reach in a long time.
Dial my telephone
The singer implores the operator to make a call to their telephone.
Just dial the number
The artist repeats their request for the operator to dial a specific number.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: REGGIE CALLOWAY, VINCENT L. CALLOWAY, BELINDA G. LIPSCOMB, BOAZ WATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zandraj1570
I still remember every word of this song that I once tried to sing like Gladys Knight.😀 I was in my early teens when these songs came out and I lost my mother. It was God and the music of this era that carried me through these troubled years. Watching the ladies on the Verzus battle recently made me realize how much of a difference they made in my life and how grateful I am for all they gave.
@morrj.5375
Gladys U got that it factor.Born to be great.♡♡♡
@yasaargreeff5541
Still my favorite
@megaoldskool76
This song is soooooo underrated!! Great vocals!!!
@KristinkaAranova
Ikr! She hits every note beautifully
@zandraj1570
And since its one of the earliest songs many may not be aware of it.
@maryjanegoncher3647
I had to share records with my cousin, because my parents said, Just listen to the radio.
🙄