Operator (Floy Joy song)

"Operator" (a.k.a. "Operator Operator") is a song by British group Floy Joy, which was released in 1985 as the third and final single from their debut studio album Into the Hot (1984). The song was written by band members Shaun Ward and Michael Ward, and produced by Don Was.[1]

"Operator"
Single by Floy Joy
from the album Into the Hot
B-side	"Mission"
Released	January 1985
Length	3:53
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Shaun Ward, Michael Ward
Producer(s)	Don Was
Floy Joy singles chronology
"Until You Come Back to Me" (1984) "Operator" (1985) "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" (1986)

Background

Floy Joy made their debut on the UK Singles Chart in 1984 with "Until You Come Back to Me". In January 1985, the band released "Operator" as the follow-up single, which became their highest charting from Into the Hot, reaching No. 86 and remaining in the Top 100 for four weeks.[2] It was also the last release to feature Floy Joy's original line-up, including lead singer Carroll Thompson.[3]

Like the rest of the Into the Hot album, "Operator" was recorded during a three-week session at the Sound Suite in Detroit. The band's work with producer Don Was came to fruition after Floy Joy manager Paul Bower flew to New York to track the producer down, who had never met, at Geffen Records. He played him the band's demos and Was subsequently agreed to produce their debut album.[4] Shaun Ward recalled of the album in 1990: "The first Floy Joy album was an anthology of R&B, jazz... all the things we'd grown up listening to and absorbed. Though we liked it, we came to realize that maybe it was a bit too personal. So that's why the second album [was] more direct and commercial."[5]

Release

"Operator" was released by Virgin Records on 7" and 12" vinyl in the UK, and on 12" vinyl in Germany and Canada.[6] All issues of the single featured the B-side "Mission" which was taken from Into the Hot.[7] The 12" vinyl releases feature an extended version of "Operator".[7]

Although the song's official title remained as "Operator" on the vinyl, the sleeve for the single would title the song "Operator Operator".[8] In the UK, a limited edition release of the single featured a free copy of the "Until You Come Back to Me" single.[9]

Promotion

A music video was filmed to promote the single, showing the group performing the song in a bar-like venue. The music video featured two additional performers; Desi Campbell on backing vocals (the band's unofficial backing vocalist and bongo player) and Kenny Crawley on drums.[10] Campbell would later become the lead vocalist for the group following Thompson's departure.[11][3]

Critical reception

On its release, Chris Heath of Smash Hits commented: "Floy Joy seem to be everybody's tip for the top this year. I'm not sure that this will be the one to break them though. It energetically mixes funk, soul, and jazz but the actual song is a bit weak."[12] Frank Hopkinson of Number One commented: "A lacklustre record from a group tipped for great things. Floy Joy attempt to give us their new soul vision but are hampered by a beat that's far too slow and a song that's desperately dull."[13] Paul Massey of the Evening Express stated: "Their last single should have been a hit, and this change of style might do it. Snappy, rhythmic, and great vocals again from Carroll Thompson."[14]

Track listing

7" Single

1. "Operator" - 3:53
2. "Mission" - 3:04

7" Single (UK limited edition release with "Until You Come Back to Me" single)

1. "Operator" - 3:53
2. "Mission" - 3:04

1. "Until You Come Back to Me" - 4:12
2. "Theme from the Age of Reason" - 1:22

12" Single

1. "Operator (Extended Version)" - 5:40
2. "Mission" - 3:50

Personnel

• Lead Vocals - Carroll Thompson
• Backing Vocals - Bernita Turner, Buster Marbury, Carol Hall, Donny Ray Mitchel, Harry Bowens, Kathy Kosins, Sweet Pea Atkinson
• Operator Voice, Studio Coordinator – Gemma Corfield
• Horns - Michael Ward
• Bass, Keyboards, Guitar - Shaun Ward
• Keyboards, Electronic Linn Drums – Don Was
• Keyboards – Luis Resto
• Drums - Yogi Horton
• Percussion – Kevin Tschirhart, Larry Fratangelo
• Synthesized Strings and Horns Arrangement - Paul Riser
• Backing Vocals Arrangement – Harry Bowens
• Alto Saxophone on "Mission" – David McMurray
• Producer, Engineer - Don Was for Tann Lewis Productions
• Arrangement - Don Was, Floy Joy
• Mixer - John "Tokes" Potoker
• Assistant Engineer - Steve "Doc Ching" King
• Drum Sound Engineer - Michael Brauer
• Sleeve - Simon Crump

Charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[2]	86

References

1. "Floy Joy - Into The Hot at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
2. "The Official Charts Company - Operator by Floy Joy Search". The Official Charts Company. 14 October 2013.
3. "Floy Joy - Weak In The Presence Of Beauty at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
4. "Profile: | EasonBower Management". Easonbower.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
5. "Everyday People Interview | Desi Campbell Singer,Songwriter". Desi Campbell. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
6. "Floy Joy - Operator at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
7. "Floy Joy - Operator (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
8. "Floy Joy - Operator / Mission - Virgin - UK - VS 744". 45cat. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
9. "FLOY JOY operator operator 7" sealed double pack with until you come back to me". eBay. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
10. "Floy Joy". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
11. "Floy Joy - Operator ft Desi Campbell". YouTube. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
12. Heath, Chris (31 January 1985). "Singles". Smash Hits. No. 161. p. 13.
13. Hopkinson, Frank (26 January 1985). "Singles". Number One. No. 84. p. 37.
14. Massey, Paul (2 February 1985). "Bumper singles review". Evening Express (33259). p. 8.