[Verse 1]
Operator, oh could you help me place this call?
See the number on a matchbook is old and faded
She's livin' in L. A. with my best old ex-friend Ray
A guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated

[Chorus]
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 'em 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 convince myself
That it just wasn't real
But that's not the way it feels

[Verse 2]
Operator, oh could 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 every time
I think about the love that I thought would save me

[Chorus]
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 'em 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 convince myself
That it just wasn't real
But that's not the way it feels
[Post-Chorus]
No, no, no, no
That's not the way it feels

[Verse 3]
Operator, oh let's forget about this call
There's no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time
Oh, you've been so much more than kind
You can keep the dime

[Chorus]
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 'em 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 convince myself
That it just wasn't real
But that's not the way it feels