The group was formed in 1976 at Kentucky State University by the Calloway brothers (trumpeter Reginald, and trombone player Vincent), with vocalist Belinda Lipscomb. Signing to RCA Records, they released their first album, The Beginning in 1980, with a host of studio musicians. In 1982, they moved to SOLAR Records, and releasing a second album, Victory now with a real band behind them (guitarist Melvin Gentry, bassist Kenneth Gant, drummer Bobby Lovelace, multi-instrumentalist Bill Simmons and keyboard player Bo Watson).
Due to the Calloways' production skills, it didn't take long for Midnight Star to connect with black listeners, hitting the R&B charts with early singles like "Hot Spot" and "I've Been Watching You." Their fourth album, No Parking on the Dance Floor released in 1983, took them to the top of the charts with the first single, "Freak-A-Zoid," which went to number two, on the R&B charts and propelled the album to platinum status. Their next album, Planetary Invasion was almost as big, going platinum again and making the pop Top 20 and the number one spot on the R&B charts with its first single, "Operator."
In 1986, they came out with their sixth album, Headlines, which was their third album to sell at least gold. It was not to be their last, as the Calloways departed in 1988. The group retooled, now down to seven members they produced and recorded their self-titled Midnight Star album. The single "Don't Rock the Boat" featured a rap by Ecstasy from the group Whodini. It would reach number 3 on the R&B charts. The album would also be certified gold.
In 1990 the band recorded Work It Out, their last album for Solar Records with internal problems between the distributor and record label the project was doomed. One of the standout tracks was called "Money Can't Buy You Love" a Belinda Lipscomb composition.
After 13 years of recording, touring, dealing with band issues, and label politics the group took a
long over due hiatus. They remained active in the business doing individual projects with Melvin Gentry and Bo Watson creating the production team "Bo & McArthur" writing, recording, and producing hits for Shanice Wilson and Toni Braxton. Bo also served as Music Director for Babyface on MTV Unplugged concert series and CD recording that featured Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton.
Belinda Lipscomb found success singing on Emmy nominated TV and Radio commerials. She also landed lead roles in several musicals and gospel plays. Bassist Kenneth Gant became a record producer and executive for an LA based label. Bobby Lovelace and Bill Simmons worked on many music and media related projects. Jeff Cooper decided to retire from performing and create a music publication dedicated to educating young music hopefuls about the pros and cons of the music industry.
After a few years, the members began calling each other to see how they were doing. It became obvious during those conversations that the performing bug had hit them. It was time to give themselves and fans what they all were missing, a Midnight Star Reunion. The band quickly reformed and were back out on the concert circuit. In 1999 Capitol Records/Right Stuff released Midnight Star "Anniversary Collection" this CD covered many of their past hits. It also gave the band the opportunity to contribute a brand new "Slow Jam Live" and Freak-A-Zoid track for the CD.
In 2002 the band released their first album in over 12 years, entitled "15th Avenue. Today the band continues to perform for audiences all over the world. You can catch up with the band on their website.
www.midnightstarband.com
1
Operator
Midnight Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
{We're sorry, you must first dial a 1 when calling this number}
Operate that body, operate on me
Operate that body, take control of me
Operate that body, operate on me
Take control of that body, take control of me
I get connected to a freaky zone
The conversation was strictly void
Said, if you don't join the party, go home
The operator said this was no mistake
I've been connecting every move you made
I hope you're ready to do me right
I want to operate my love tonight
[Chorus: ]
Operator, this is an emergency
Operator, (baby, burning up on me)
Operator, this is an emergency
Operator
Operate that body, operate on me
Operate that body, take control of me
Operate that body, operate on me
Take control of that body, take control of me
Person-to-person is how it's got to be
Just one-on-one, baby, you and me
Computer freakin' all night long
And you can bet that all my circuits are strong
Just call me up, 'ever you find the time
We'll get together on the party line
Let's take our time and do it right
We're gonna operate our love tonight
[Chorus: ]
Call me up anytime (anytime)
I'm all in the mix because it's party time (I'm gonna take my time)
...gonna do it right (do it right)
I'm gonna operate your love tonight
[Chorus: ]
The operator was busy at the time
She told me, hold, please, on the telephone line?
I told her, hurry up 'cause I ain't got much time?
It's an emergency, I spent my last dime
I need a, I need a, I need a
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
The song “Operator” by Midnight Star is about calling someone on the phone and seeking physical intimacy with them. In the song, the singer calls their lover on the phone, only to be connected to a party line where they can hear other people talking. The singer is then informed by the operator that they’ve been connecting every move he's made and instructs him to operate on her body, implying a desire to physically connect with him. The chorus is a plea to the operator to urgently connect him to his lover.
Overall, the song has a strong sexual connotation with lyrics like “operate that body” and “take control of me”. It also includes several references to technology, such as “computer freakin’ all night long” and “all my circuits are strong”. The song could be interpreted as a commentary on our dependence on technology to fulfill our desires or a representation of the hedonistic and promiscuous culture of the 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
Operate that body, operate on me
Implying a sexual encounter with the partner and a willingness to let the other partner lead
Operate that body, take control of me
Accepting and encouraging the partner to lead the sexual encounter
I called my baby, up on the telephone
Attempting to contact one's lover
I get connected to a freaky zone
Receiving a response from an unexpected source
The conversation was strictly void
Having an unhelpful conversation that results in no progression
Said, if you don't join the party, go home
Encouraging full participation or disconnection
The operator said this was no mistake
The operator alerts the singer that their actions were intentional
I've been connecting every move you made
The operator was aware of the artist's attempts to contact their lover and was responsible for some of the unexpected responses.
I hope you're ready to do me right
The operator is interested in having a sexual relationship with the artist.
Operator, this is an emergency
Communicating that there is an urgent need to connect with a loved one.
Operate that body, take control of me
Encouraging sexual domination
Person-to-person is how it's got to be
Expecting a direct and personal interaction
Computer freakin' all night long
The interaction is focused on computer-mediated communication
And you can bet that all my circuits are strong
Implying that they're well equipped to handle an all-night interaction.
Let's take our time and do it right
Encouraging a more exploratory sexual encounter than a rushed, brief one.
The operator was busy at the time
The operator was occupied at the time of the call.
She told me, hold, please, on the telephone line?
Asking the artist to wait while they were trying to connect them.
It's an emergency, I spent my last dime
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the singer's commitment to reaching their loved one.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BELINDA LIPSCOMB, BOAZ WATSON, VINCENT CALLOWAY, REGGIE CALLOWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomcat3764
Let's throw are cell phones away and go back to the old school 1980s phone booths and of course these jams
@erichill3128
Well it's good we have the cell phones because we can go back to the 80s music the cell phone today is a time machine the eighties were heaven black-and-white music was Heavenly divine
@shawnloftin
Nothing like 80s music
@colettesanders5701
BRING BACK THE 80''s!!!!!!
@davebrown9714
& the 70s👌🏾
@label1877
This tune was ahead of its time in style,beat and funk... the women are hot, the men look good. The dance moves match the song...5 stars!
@micahisgod5898
The more I listen to 80's music, I feel extremely blessed growing up as a teenager in that era.
@fireheartis1
I was just a kid then, but I feel yah. Listened to this when everyone else was listening to Tupac and Biggie Smalls lol.
@frankzepeda8853
Me two my friend wasn't it a great time. Takes me back to a simpler time 80's were GREAT
@moniquewyatt4979
@@frankzepeda8853 11v