Top Ten Songs by Jim Croce

James (Jim) Croce was born in Philadelphia, PA on January 10, 1943. Jim first learned to play the accordion at the tender age of five. He later became a self taught guitar player. Jim Croce attended Villanova College in Pennsylvania and it was in his freshman year that he began to get serious about a musical career. He played in several bands doing a variety of music. It was also at college that he met his wife Ingrid.

After graduation, Jim did construction work, welding and teaching special education in a Philadelphia high school to support himself and his wife while still pursuing his musical career. He performed wherever and whenever he could. He became frustrated with his blue collar employment and in 1969 moved to New York with Ingrid and an old friend from college, Tommy West. They began playing in clubs and coffeehouses for more than a year. It was there that they recorded their first album. The record was not a success and they grew tired of life in the city. The Croce’s then decided to move to Lyndell, PA where their only child was born, Adrian James Croce. They lived a much simpler life, but money was short and Jim began selling the guitars he collected while living in New York. He worked construction jobs again and for studios in New York doing background vocals for radio commercials.

Jim was eventually heard and signed by ABC/Dunhill record label in 1972 and released his second album, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” His bluesy-rock style along with his soulful ballads became popular with the American radio stations. This album gave Jim the success he had dreamed of. The title track, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” became a top ten hit. The second song from that album, “Operator (That’s Not the Way it Feels)” was receiving substantial radio air-time and was quickly making Jim Croce a household name. His down-to-earth style and the poetic lyrics made it easy to relate to Jim and he was finally on his way to the top!