Operator (Motown song)


"Operator" is a Motown song recorded by vocalists Mary Wells and Brenda Holloway. The Wells version was the b-side to her top ten hit, "Two Lovers" while Holloway's version was issued as a single in 1965.

Overview

Song information

In the song, written by Smokey Robinson of The Miracles, the narrator expresses her desire for the phone operator to connect her with her boyfriend, who is supposedly on the other end of the line. However, to her dismay, the operator encounters difficulty reaching him, resulting in static. Throughout the difficulties, the narrator pleads with the operator to "put him on the line".

Charts

Brenda Holloway version

Brenda Holloway's version of the song, which is produced under a more soulful rendition than Wells' teen pop-styled version from three years before, reached number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 36 on the R&B singles chart.
Chart Peak
position
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UK R&B 17
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Credits

Mary Wells version

Brenda Holloway version