They released their debut album, "Yes Yes Vindictive" in November 2007 in Australia and March 2008 in Germany/United Kingdom. They released their third single "Just A Song About Ping Pong" in Australia, debuting at #15 on the ARIA charts. They also released "Just A Song About Ping Pong" in United Kingdom, released their second EP Cement Cement in Australia, played Splendour In The Grass, opened for Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, and Maxïmo Park. Their second album Gloves came out in 2010.
Members Amandah, Tim and Chris are now focusing on other projects Bossy Love and Colour Coding but Amandah has stated in interviews that Operator Please has not broken up.
Get What You Want
Operator Please Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know there's never gonna be a cheery face inside this crowded room
Think you're the shit now
Because my lingo is so out of the the loop, why yes I'm out of the loop
Let's turn our nose up
Become a snob because we're treadin' on rooves, 'cause we're so fuckin' cool
Oh, give the act up
You know you're geeks that conglomerate in the city we speak of
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
Attack, attack
My disposition, get the vulnerable, predators on the loose
Yeah, let's be vulgar
Internet sex, naked computers!
I wish I could
Feed you some Ritalin
So maybe I could
Get a reaction
Or maybe even
Some facial expression, but
It's not your fault if you really don't wanna
You don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
You don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
Attack, attack
My disposition, yeah, tennis shoes
Get your tennis shoes
Whatever am I to do?
I wish I could
Feed you some Ritalin
So maybe I could
Get a reaction
Or maybe even
Some facial expression, but
It's not your fault if you really don't wanna
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
And you don't always get what you want
You don't always get what you want
And you don't always get what you want
You don't always get what you want, oh!
The lyrics of "Get What You Want" by Operator Please embody a sense of disappointment and frustration towards a group of people who think they are cool and above everyone else. The song begins with the singer entering a crowded room where there is no cheery face in sight. She then comments on how some people think they're better than others because they speak a different lingo and "tread on roofs". The singer points out their snobbish behavior and the fact that they are just a bunch of geeks that conglomerate in the city they speak of. The chorus emphasizes the fact that you don't always get what you want, but the singer believes that you can still strive for it.
The second verse takes a more aggressive tone, as the singer talks about attacking her disposition and getting the vulnerable. She then sarcastically suggests indulging in internet sex with naked computers while wearing tennis shoes. In the bridge, she wishes she could feed them Ritalin to get a reaction or expression out of them, but ultimately concludes that it's not their fault if they don't want to.
The overall message of the song is that while you may not always get what you want, you should still strive for it and not let a sense of snobbery or complacency hold you back. The tone is rebellious and unapologetic, with the lead singer seemingly calling out those who think they're better than others.
Line by Line Meaning
Disappointed
Feeling let down or dissatisfied
You know there's never gonna be a cheery face inside this crowded room
Acknowledging a negative atmosphere or lack of positivity
Think you're the shit now
Feeling arrogant or self-important
Because my lingo is so out of the the loop, why yes I'm out of the loop
Being aware of being out of touch with current trends or jargon
Let's turn our nose up
Being snobbish or elitist
Become a snob because we're treadin' on rooves, 'cause we're so fuckin' cool
Being haughty and acting superior towards others
Oh, give the act up
Stopping the pretence or facade
You know you're geeks that conglomerate in the city we speak of
Admitting to being part of a group of socially awkward or tech-savvy people
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
Expressing the reality of not always being able to achieve one's desires, but offering encouragement to keep trying
Attack, attack
My disposition, get the vulnerable, predators on the loose
Describing aggressive behavior or potentially harmful intentions
Yeah, let's be vulgar
Internet sex, naked computers!
Using crude or offensive language to shock or provoke others
I wish I could
Feed you some Ritalin
So maybe I could
Get a reaction
Or maybe even
Some facial expression, but
It's not your fault if you really don't wanna
Expressing frustration or disappointment with someone's lack of engagement or responsiveness
'Cause you don't always get what you want
I know you can, I know you can, I know you can
Reiterating the message that success is not always guaranteed, but it is worth pursuing
Attack, attack
My disposition, yeah, tennis shoes
Get your tennis shoes
Whatever am I to do?
Continuing to describe a combative attitude and questioning how to respond or react
And you don't always get what you want
You don't always get what you want
And you don't always get what you want
You don't always get what you want, oh!
Repeating the main idea that life does not always go as planned or hoped for
Contributed by Harper B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Johnny Durham
Wow, you guys are really talented ... you're gona be really big someday soon. Great music!!
Jackie Green
Whee! I absolutely adore this song! This band! All of it. :P
Gabriela Ascioli
My goodness, one of the first YT virals lol
I heard it on Euro 2008 game, y'all did a hit at my age O.o
SuperMemzzz
I hope they are still holding together and come up with a new album. One of the rare, beautiful bands out there! I want them to keep at their beautiful vision!
Cait O
you guys rock so awesomely. you're so original, i must buy your cd =]
RustyTube
I love it!
Sarahjiffy
This has to be my fave OP song! And I only started listening to you today when I saw your Ping Pong Song video in the directors video bit Keep up the god work guys! =]
wavewash
Oh man! This is really good! I was about to dismiss them after seeing the ping pong song because that didn't really ring to my tastes.
Chissman
awesome, thanks. love the band. great potential.
wacman1389
like, my new favorite song, and it's going on my myspace, I'm lovin this band, make more stuff!