Songfacts®:

• The lyrics are based on a hand-clapping kids' song called "Miss Susie Had a Steamboat," which has the lyrics:
  
  Hello operator
  Please give me number nine
  And if you disconnect me
  I'll chop of your behind
• "That's a phone company finger-pointing song," Jack White told Sound Spike of the tune. "I hate the rip-off company. I know everyone has to have a job, everyone has to work and get a paycheck to keep everything going, but it's pathetic that the better mousetrap doesn't win out."
• "Hello Operator" is part of the second White Stripes album, De Stijl, named after an early 20th century Dutch artistic movement. The album artwork is done in this style, but in their palette: white, red and black. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Bertrand - Paris, France
• This was the only single released from the De Stijl album. The B-side is a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene."
  
  The single didn't chart, which wasn't surprising - the White Stripes were on an independent label and little known outside of Detroit, where they formed. Through word-of-mouth, some favorable reviews, and attention on the internet, they developed a small following that grew considerably after they released their next album, White Blood Cells, which landed them a record deal with a major label (V2). "Fell In Love With A Girl" and "We're Going To Be Friends" are popular songs from that one.
• Beck is a big fan of the track. He told Uncut: "I feel like this is one of those songs, where it's like Jack White just bypassed the song and went straight to that feeling you want to have, where it's so raw and righteous and where people go, 'OK, now we're talking. Now we mean business.' It's simple, it's heavy it's beautiful."