James Joseph Croce ( January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973), popularly known as Jim Croce, was an American singer-songwriter. He began playing music in college, finally signing to ABC Records in 1972, releasing You Don't Mess Around With Jim and Life & Times that year. The singles "Time in a Bottle" (written for his newborn son, A.J., who is now an accomplished musician and songwriter in his own right), "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" and "Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)" helped the former album reach #1 on the charts in 1974.