Hello Operator
The White Stripes Lyrics

The lyrics of The White Stripes's song Hello Operator may seem confusing and hard to pin down to a specific meaning, but they actually paint a clear picture of a man desperately trying to get in touch with someone, likely his significant other. He asks the operator to give him "number nine," which could be a code for a specific phone number or simply a request for a connection to his intended recipient. He also asks to see the operator later, hinting at his loneliness and desire for human interaction.

The man then turns his attention to his communication methods, asking to turn the oscillator and twist it with a dollar bill. This could be interpreted as a request to manipulate some kind of device to improve his connection, or perhaps a metaphorical statement about the give and take of his relationship. He then asks the mailman to bring the paper and leave it on his windowsill, possibly referencing letters he has written to his loved one that he hopes she will see.

The final stanza is the most poignant, where he seeks out a canary to "bring my message home," suggesting that he may not even be in a position to speak directly to his intended recipient. He contemplates sending papers to an "empty home," highlighting his isolation and loneliness. Ultimately, the refrain of "How you gonna get the money?" and "Nobody to answer the phone" reinforce his despair and the absence of the person he is trying so desperately to reach.

Overall, the lyrics of Hello Operator are a poignant portrayal of a man struggling with the distance between himself and someone he loves, highlighting the isolation and loneliness that can result from a lack of communication.