[Verse 1]
Operator, well, could you help me place this call?
See, the number on the match book 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

[Chorus]
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 '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, well, could you help me place this call?
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]
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 '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
No, no, no, no
That's not the way it feels
[Verse 3]
Operator, well, let's forget about this call
There's no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time
Ah, you've been so much more than kind, you can keep the dime

[Chorus]
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 '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
No, no, no, no

[Outro]
That's not the way it feels, operator
No, no, no, no
That's not the—, that's not the way it feels, operator
No, no, no, no
That's not the way—, that's not the way it feels