Pete Shelley - Telephone Operator 12''

The 12-inch version of "Telephone Operator" by Pete Shelley is widely considered a classic track and an "absolute tune" by fans and critics. The extended mixes on the 12" single are also highly regarded. A reviewer on the ForEverYoung80s blog calls it "three minutes and 15 seconds of pure, edgy New Wave / Dance perfection," a standout that shouldn't be overshadowed by his other hits. UNCUT and Trouser Press note that "Telephone Operator" was another strong lead single from the album XL-1, on par with his earlier hit "Homosapien," and that it allows strong rhythms to predominate without obscuring the musicality. The production is noted as "very electronic" and not guitar-based, a significant departure from his work with Buzzcocks. The Pete Shelley 12-inch singles are particularly valued for their "fabulous" and "delightful" extended and dub mixes. These extended versions were seen as innovative at the time, utilizing cut-and-splice techniques that producer Martin Rushent also used on The Human League's Dare album and subsequent remix album. A review from Mojo Magazine and a user review on Amazon suggest the song and its parent album XL-1 helped cement Shelley's legacy in the nu-wave movement of the post-punk era, exploring themes of communication breakdown and the "introverted state"

Go ahead, put the phone down and prove me wrong.  I double dog dare ya.

Ripped to MP3

Pete Shelley - Telephone Operator 12"

A1 - Telephone Operator

A2 - Many A Time (Extended Version)

B - Many A Time (Dub)