Hello Operator (song)

"Hello Operator"
Single by the White Stripes
from the album De Stijl
B-side	"Jolene"
Released	May 2000
Studio	Third Man Studio
Genre	Garage rock [1]
Length	2:37
Label	Sympathy for the Record Industry
Composer(s)	Jack White, Meg White
Lyricist(s)	Jack White
Producer(s)	Jack White
The White Stripes singles chronology
"Hand Springs" (1999) "Hello Operator" (2000) "Lord, Send Me an Angel" (2000)

"Hello Operator" is the only single released from De Stijl , the second album by the Detroit, Michigan, garage rock band the White Stripes. It was released in May 2000, backed by the White Stripes' off-kilter cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene". Live recordings of both songs are available on Under Blackpool Lights .

John Peel listed it as his single of the week on his radio show, despite it not being released in the UK. ^[2]

Critical reception

Paste and Stereogum ranked the song number ten and number seven, respectively, on their lists of the 10 greatest White Stripes songs. ^{[3] [4]} Rolling Stone praised Jack White's "knack for phrasing—both his vocals and guitar lines", and Meg White's "minimal" drumming style. ^[5]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hello Operator"	2:37
2.	"Jolene" (Dolly Parton cover)	3:13

Personnel

• Jack White - vocals, guitars
• Meg White - drums
• John Szymanski - harmonica

References

1. Stiernberg, Bonnie. "The 50 Best Garage Rock Songs of All Time". Paste . Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
2. "The White Stripes "Hello Operator"". 20 May 2020.
3. Moore, Bo (February 4, 2011). "The 10 Best White Stripes Songs". Paste . Retrieved May 27, 2023.
4. Williott, Carl (February 26, 2014). "The 10 Best White Stripes Songs". Stereogum . Retrieved May 27, 2023.
5. "De Stijl". Rolling Stone . 23 November 2000.

External links

• Live performance of "Hello Operator", Ontario, 2007
• Live performance (by The White Stripes) of "Jolene", Coney Island, 2005