Memphsis, Tennessee
Joshua Michael Buck
I have a song that I have been trying to find the title and artist (and
lyrics if possible) for some time now.
the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
getting a message "it was written on the wall"
I think his girlfriend moved away to Tennessee and he is trying to call
her (obviously from what I just said).
It was either a 50 or 60s song.
Thanks in advance...
Josh
----------
_________________________________________________
|o| Josh Buck |o|
|o| jb...@wam.umd.edu |o|
|o| http://gl.umbc.edu/~jbuck1 |o|
|o| |o|
|o| Call the men of Science |o|
|o| And Let them hear this song |o|
|o| Tell them Albert Einstein |o|
|o| and Copernicus were wrong |o|
|o| - They Might Be Giants |o|
|v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v|
Bernabe T. Jara
In <53jcln$2...@sun20csc.wam.umd.edu> jb...@wam.umd.edu (Joshua Michael
Buck) writes:
>
>
>I have a song that I have been trying to find the title and artist
(and
>lyrics if possible) for some time now.
>
>the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
>effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something
about
>getting a message "it was written on the wall"
>
>I think his girlfriend moved away to Tennessee and he is trying to
call
>her (obviously from what I just said).
=================================================================
Hey, Josh:
I might be wrong, but it sounds like:
OPERATOR (That's Not The Way It Feels) by Jim Croce, hit in 1972.
You know the guy who sings TIME IN A BOTTLE.
...now my shameless plug:
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1 MACARENA, Los Del Rio, 29..(2)............
2 I LOVE YOU ALWAYS FOREVER, Donna Lewis, 36
3 TWISTED, Keith Sweat, 27..................
4 CHANGE THE WORLD, Eric Clapton/Babyface, 26
5 C'MON N' RIDE IT, Quad City DJ's, 31......
6 LOUNGIN', LL Cool J, 35...................
7 YOU LEARN, Alanis Morissette, 26..........
8 YOU'RE MAKIN' ME HIGH, Toni Braxton, 24...
9 WHO WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL, Jewel, 28........
10 WHERE DO YOU GO, No Mercy, 37.............
11 COUNTING BLUE CARS, Dishwalla, 28.........
12 IT'S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW, Celine Dion
13 STANDING OUTSIDE-, Primitive Radio Gods,33
14 I CAN'T SLEEP BABY (IF I), R. Kelly, 25...
15 GIVE ME ONE REASON, Tracy Chapman, 20.....
16 HIT ME OFF, New Edition, 38...............
17 ONLY YOU, 112/Notorious B.I.G., 31........
18 FOREVER, Mariah Carey, 32.................
19 JEALOUSY, Natalie Merchant, 33............
20 KEY WEST INTERMEZZO, John Mellencamp, 40..
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George Jefferson
:I have a song that I have been trying to find the title and artist (and
:lyrics if possible) for some time now.
:the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
:effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
:getting a message "it was written on the wall"
I think the line is "I wrote it on the wall"
bla bla calling memphis tennesee
help me reach the party who tried to get in touch with me
:It was either a 50 or 60s song.
It was done by george thorogood in the early 80s - I am certain.
you are right that the original is older though. If desperate
I'll putt out the record..
:I think his girlfriend moved away to Tennessee and he is trying to call
:her (obviously from what I just said).
ahh..you'd think but in the last line it turns out that its probably his
child he is trying to call.
Ted D Horwitz
In article <53ltqi$n...@dfw-ixnews4.ix.netcom.com> bar...@ix.netcom.com(Bernabe T. Jara) writes:
>In <53jcln$2...@sun20csc.wam.umd.edu> jb...@wam.umd.edu (Joshua Michael
>Buck) writes:
>>
>>
>(and
>>lyrics if possible) for some time now.
>>
>>the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
>>effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something
>about
>>getting a message "it was written on the wall"
>>
>call
>>her (obviously from what I just said).
>=================================================================
>Hey, Josh:
>I might be wrong, but it sounds like:
>OPERATOR (That's Not The Way It Feels) by Jim Croce, hit in 1972.
>You know the guy who sings TIME IN A BOTTLE.
Similar ideas, but very different songs.
God, I'm getting old if I'm the only one who remembers (dead giveaway is
the message written on the wall) that ...
This is the rock and roll classic "Memphis" by the one and only Chuck Berry,
in the late 50s or very early 60s. Covered as an instrumental by guitarist
Lonnie Mack about 1963, but the most-often heard cover is by Johnny Rivers
live at the Whisky-A-Go-Go later in the 60s.
He's a non-custodial (presumably divorced) parent trying to return a call
from his 6-year-old daughter Marie in Memphis. I've often wondered if
it's Lisa Marie Presley, and Mom is Priscilla.
I can't believe I remember most of the lyrics by heart. I guess I identify
because I was in a similar situation ....
Help me information (not operator), in Memphis Tennessee,
Help me find a party that tried to get in touch with me,
She did not leave her number but I know who placed the call,
Cause my uncle (or "the phone boy" in some versions, I think) took the message
and he wrote it on the wall.
Help me information, get in touch with my Marie,
She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis Tennessee,
Her home is on the south side, high upon a ridge,
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge.
<instrumental bridge>
Last time I saw Marie she was wavin' me goodbye,
with hurry-home-drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye.
But we were pulled apart because her Mom did not agree,
and tore apart our happy home in Memphis Tennessee.
Help me information, more than that I cannot add,
only that I miss her, and all the fun we've had.
Marie is only six years old, information please,
try to put me through to her in Memphis Tennessee.
Dave Schulman
Joshua Michael Buck wrote:
> the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
> effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
> getting a message "it was written on the wall"
This sounds at least superfically similar to "Operator
(That's Not the Way It Feels)", by Jim Croce. The song doesn't mention
Tennessee, though; it was recorded around 1971, not in the '50s or '60s.
The lyrics I can recall go something like this:
Operator
Won't you help me make this call?
The number on this matchbook is old and faded
She's living in L.A.
WIth my best old ex-friend Ray
A friend that she knew well and sometimes hated
Chorus:
Isn't that the way they say it goes?
But forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell her I'm fine
And to show
I've overcome the blow
I've learned to take it well
But I wish my words could just convince myself
That it just isn't real
But that's not the way it feels
Operator
Let's just forget about this call
I can't read the number that you just gave me
There's something in my eye
You know it happens every time
When I think of the love that I thought would save me
Thank you for your time
You've been so much more than kind
You can keep the dime...
[chorus]
--
Dave Schulman Validation Engineer, Feature Test I
Nortel, Inc. Dept. 3K57 (ESN = 263)
400 Perimeter Park Drive (919) 905-4844 (Voice)
Morrisville, NC 27560 (919) 905-2549 (FAX)
Joshua Michael Buck
I thank you for the response, but I know that it is much older than that.
But thanks for the try
Josh
----------
_________________________________________________
|o| Josh Buck |o|
|o| jb...@wam.umd.edu |o|
|o| http://gl.umbc.edu/~jbuck1 |o|
|o| |o|
|o| Call the men of science |o|
Wayne Garvin
(posted to alt.music.lyrics and e-mailed to Joshua Michael Buck)
On 10 Oct 1996 13:44:23 -0400
jb...@wam.umd.edu (Joshua Michael Buck) wrote:
>I have a song that I have been trying to find the title and artist (and
>lyrics if possible) for some time now.
>
>the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
>effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
>getting a message "it was written on the wall"
>
>I think his girlfriend moved away to Tennessee and he is trying to call
>her (obviously from what I just said).
>
>It was either a 50 or 60s song.
MEMPHIS
- written by Chuck Berry
- as recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1964
Long distance information give me Memphis, Tennessee
Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me
She could not leave a number but I know who placed the call
'Cause my uncle took a message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me information get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis, Tennessee
Her home is on the south side, high up on the ridge
Just a half-a-mile from the Mississippi bridge
Last time I saw Marie she was wavin' me goodbye
With "hurry home" drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye
But we were pulled apart because her Mom did not agree
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee
Help me information, more than that I cannot add
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had
Marie is only six years old, information please
Try to put me through to her in Memphis, Tennessee
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne Garvin, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
The Lyrics Library: http://www.kw.igs.net/~wgarvin/Lyrics/Lyrics.html
alt.music.lyrics
web site and FAQ: http://www.kw.igs.net/~wgarvin/aml.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillip Wagoner
The original song was put out by Johnny Rivers.
He is trying to get a hold of Marie, who is 6 years old. Obviously his
daughter.
Here are the lyrics I remember:
Long distant information,
Give me Memphis Tennessee.
Help me find the party,
Trying to get in touch me.
I could read the number but I know,
Who placed the call.
'Cause my uncle took the message and wrote it on the wall.
Long distance information,
get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one
who'd call me here from
Memphis Tennessee.
Her home is on the south side
high upon a ridge
just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge.
The last time I saw Marie she was waving me good-bye
With Hurry -Home drops on her cheeks
that trickled from her eyes.
We were pulled apart
cause her mom did not agree.
Help me get through to her in Memphis Tennessee.
Long distance information
more than that I cannot add.
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had.
Marie is only 6 years old.
So information please.
Try and get me through to her in
Memphis Tennessee.
Hope this helps.
Phil
Mail...@exp.net
George Jefferson <geo...@mech.seas.upenn.edu> wrote in article
<53m5af$5...@netnews.upenn.edu>...
> :I have a song that I have been trying to find the title and artist (and
> :lyrics if possible) for some time now.
>
> :the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
> :effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something
about
> :getting a message "it was written on the wall"
>
> I think the line is "I wrote it on the wall"
>
> bla bla calling memphis tennesee
> help me reach the party who tried to get in touch with me
>
> :It was either a 50 or 60s song.
>
> It was done by george thorogood in the early 80s - I am certain.
> you are right that the original is older though. If desperate
> I'll putt out the record..
>
> :I think his girlfriend moved away to Tennessee and he is trying to call
> :her (obviously from what I just said).
>
Linda King-O'seland
Joshua,
Jim Croce did a song with lyrics something like that. I think the name of it was
Operator, but I'm not sure. I don't know all the lyrics, but the ones I remember go:
Operator, could you help me make this call
The number on the matchbook is old and faded.
She's living in L.A.
With my best old ex-friend Ray
A man she said she knew well and sometimes hated.
(Chorus)
Isn't that the way they say it goes
Just forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell her I'm fine and to (show?)
I made it long ago, (something about taking it well)
(Snip here, too), to convince myself
That it just wasn't real, but that's not the way it feels.
Operator, could you help me place this call
I can't read the number that you just gave me
There's something in my eye
You know it happens every time
I think of the love that I thought would save me.
(Chorus)
Operator, just forget about this call
There's no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time
You've been so much more than kind,
You can keep the dime.
(Chorus)
Hope someone out there can fill in the blanks and correct any mistakes I've made, and
that this is the song you are looking for.
Peace,
Linda K.
Unknown
On 10 Oct 1996 13:44:23 -0400, jb...@wam.umd.edu (Joshua Michael Buck)
wrote:
>the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
>effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
>getting a message "it was written on the wall"
>
>her (obviously from what I just said).
>
"Memphis, Tennessee", Chuck Berry. 50s.
This was the original, the song has been played by many bands...
Manolo Barbera.
wedding present appreciation society
since 1986. valencia. spain
Anthony B. Gilpin
OPERATOR
Words and music by Jom Croce
Operator,
Would you help me place this call?
You see, the number on the matchbook is old and faded.
She's living in L.A.
With my best old ex-friend Ray,
A guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated.
But isn't that the way they say it goes
Well, let's forget all that.
And give me the number
If you can find it
So I can call, just to tell them I'm fine
And to show.
I've overcome the blow
I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words
Could just convice myself
That it just wasn't real...
But that's not the way it feels!
Operator,
Would you help me place this call?
Cause I can't read the number that you just gave me.
There's something in my eyes.
You know, it happens ev'ry time
I think about a love that I thought would save me.
Well, isn't that the way they say it goes?
But let's forget all that.
And give me the number
If you can find it
So I can call, just to tell them I'm fine
And to show.
I've overcome the blow
I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words
Could just convice myself
That it just wasn't real...
But that's not the way it feels!
No, no, no, no,
That's not the way it feels...
Operator
Well, let's forget about this call
There's no one there I really wanted to talk to.
Thank you for your time,
You've been so much more than kind.
And you can keep the dime.
Well, isn't that the way they say it goes?
But let's forget all that.
And give me the number
If you can find it
So I can call, just to tell them I'm fine
And to show.
I've overcome the blow
I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words
Could just convice myself
That it just wasn't real...
But that's not the way it feels!
Brian James King
Joshua Michael Buck <jb...@wam.umd.edu> wrote in article
<53jcln$2...@sun20csc.wam.umd.edu>...
>
> I have a song that I have been trying to find the title and artist (and
> lyrics if possible) for some time now.
>
> the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
> effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
> getting a message "it was written on the wall"
>
> I think his girlfriend moved away to Tennessee and he is trying to call
> her (obviously from what I just said).
>
> It was either a 50 or 60s song.
It is a song by Chuck Berry and it is about his daughter
yours internetedly
Brian King
Chris Gilbert
In article <325E86...@gate.net>, Dave Schulman <caps...@gate.net> wrote:
>Joshua Michael Buck wrote:
>
>> the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
>> effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
>> getting a message "it was written on the wall"
Yes, I know the track you're after;
Help me operator, get in touch with my Marie
I left her at the station back in Memphis, Tennessee......
and
Marie is only 6 years old, information please
help me get in touch with her in Memphis, Tennessee.
etc.
I'll try and look it up for you
ChrisG
Benjamin Allen
I can't promise they're in the right order, but each individual line is
right. (Except those in parens).
Help me, Information, get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis, Tennessee
(I cannot check the number,) and I have no place to call,
'Cause my uncle took the message and he wrote it on the wall
Last time I saw Marie, she's waving me goodbye,
With hurry home drops on her cheeck that (sparkled) from her eye
We were torn apart, because her mom did not agree.
And threw away our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee
Help me, Information, more than that I cannot add,
Only that I miss her, and all the fun we had.
Her home is on the south side, high up on a ridge
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge.
Marie is only six years old. Information, please
Help me to get through to her in Memphis, Tennessee.
(Carl Perkins, maybe?)
charlie sweeney
itzc...@ccc.ccn2.nott.ac.uk (Chris Gilbert) wrote:
>In article <325E86...@gate.net>, Dave Schulman <caps...@gate.net> wrote:
>>Joshua Michael Buck wrote:
>>
>>> the only lyrics I can remember are something to the f
>>> effect of "Help me operator, help me make this call" then something about
>>> getting a message "it was written on the wall"
>Yes, I know the track you're after;
>Help me operator, get in touch with my Marie
>I left her at the station back in Memphis, Tennessee......
>and
>Marie is only 6 years old, information please
>help me get in touch with her in Memphis, Tennessee.
>etc.
>I'll try and look it up for you
>ChrisG
chris-
go to the lyrics page from my home page
http://members.gnn.com/smtngblack/sbhomep.htm
look up johnny rivers
if that doesn't work-try one of the links from that page
good luck!
virtually yours,
charlie (=}===#
Bill Marcum
In article <32630C...@worldnet.att.net>, Ronald E. Hontz wrote:
>> I can't promise they're in the right order, but each individual line is
>> right. (Except those in parens).
>> Help me, Information, get in touch with my Marie
>> She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis, Tennessee
>> (I cannot check the number,) and I have no place to call,
>> 'Cause my uncle took the message and he wrote it on the wall
>>
Help me find the party tried to get in touch with me
She did not leave a number but I know who placed the call
'Cause my uncle took the message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me, Information, get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis, Tennessee
Her home is on the south side, high up on a ridge
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge
>> Last time I saw Marie, she's waving me goodbye,
>> With hurry home drops on her cheeck that (sparkled) from her eye
>> We were torn apart, because her mom did not agree.
>> And threw away our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee
>>
>> Help me, Information, more than that I cannot add,
>> Only that I miss her, and all the fun we had.
>> Marie is only six years old. Information, please
>> Help me to get through to her in Memphis, Tennessee.
>>
>> (Carl Perkins, maybe?)
>
>--------------1C3E5056227D
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>Content-Disposition: inline; filename="Memphis.txt"
>
>
>
>Help me, Information, get in touch with my Marie
>She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis, Tennessee
><<I cannot read the number but I know the place to call>>
>(I cannot check the number,) and I have no place to call,
>'Cause my uncle took the message and he wrote it on the wall
>
>Last time I saw Marie, she's waving me goodbye,
>With hurry home drops on her cheek that (sparkled)<trickled> from her eye
>We were torn apart, because her mom did not agree.
>And threw away <tore apart> our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee
>
>Help me, Information, more than that I cannot add,
>Only that I miss her, and all the fun we had.
>Her home is on the south side, high up on a ridge
>Just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge.
>
>Marie is only six years old. Information, please
>Help me to get <try to put me> through to her in Memphis, Tennessee.
>
>(Carl Perkins, maybe?)
>
>It was written by Chuck Berry and I can't believe his
>recording didn't chart in 1959. There was an
>instrumental version in 1963 by Englishman Lonnie
> Mack, who did it in the "skiffle" style that was then
> popular. However, the BIG vocal single hit was by
> "Folk-Rocker" Johnny Rivers, who took it to #2
> in 1964.
>
>While I don't have all the lyrics written down
> anywhere, I've changed a couple of yours to
>what I more closely remember from Rivers'
>version. Hey, we BOTH may be
>missing some, but at least we're close!!!
>
>Always thought of this as quite a sad song,
> since it sounds like a fella looking for his
> little daughter, Marie, who went to live with
>her mama after the divorce. Can you
>imagine his panic when he learns she wants
>to talk to him, and then has a tough time
> making the call?? A six-year old trying to get
> to her daddy wouldn't necessarily think of
>leaving a return number.
>
>--------------1C3E5056227D--
>
>
--
Bill Marcum bma...@iglou.com
"You can pay Uncle Sam with the overtime
Is that all you get for your money?" --Billy Joel