Big Bad John

Jimmy Dean

About Big Bad John

"Big Bad John" is a country song originally performed by Jimmy Dean, who wrote and composed it in collaboration with Roy Acuff. It was released in September 1961 and by the beginning of November it had gone to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It won Dean the 1962 Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. The song and its sequels tell a story typical of American folklore, reminiscent of Paul Bunyan or John Henry. Big Bad John was also the title of a 1990 television movie starring Dean. 


Year:
2014
3:03
65 

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(Big John, big John)
Every mornin' at the mine you could see him arrive
He stood six-foot-six and weighed two-forty-five
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
And everybody knew ya didn't give no lip to big John
(Big John, big John)
Big bad John (big John)

Nobody seemed to know where John called home
He just drifted into town and stayed all alone
He didn't say much, kinda quiet and shy
And if you spoke at all, you just said hi to Big John

Somebody said he came from New Orleans
Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the promised land, big John
(Big John, big John)
Big bad John (big John)

Then came the day at the bottom of the mine
When a timber cracked and men started cryin'
Miners were prayin' and hearts beat fast
And everybody thought that they'd breathed their last, 'cept John

Through the dust and the smoke of this man-made hell
Walked a giant of a man that the miners knew well
Grabbed a saggin' timber, gave out with a groan
And like a giant oak tree he just stood there alone, big John
(Big John, big John)
Big bad John (big John)

And with all of his strength he gave a mighty shove
Then a miner yelled out "there's a light up above!"
And twenty men scrambled from a would-be grave
Now there's only one left down there to save, big John

With jacks and timbers they started back down
Then came that rumble way down in the ground
And then smoke and gas belched out of that mine
Everybody knew it was the end of the line for big John
(Big John, big John)
Big bad John (big John)

Now, they never reopened that worthless pit
They just placed a marble stand in front of it
These few words are written on that stand
At the bottom of this mine lies a big, big man
Big John
(Big John, big John)
Big bad John (big John)
(Big John) big bad John

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Jimmy Dean

Jimmy Ray Dean (August 10, 1928 – June 13, 2010) was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, he became a national television personality starting in 1957, rising to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad John" and his television series, The Jimmy Dean Show, which also gave puppeteer Jim Henson his first national media exposure. His acting career included a supporting role as Willard Whyte in the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever. He lived near Richmond, Virginia, and was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010, although he was formally inducted posthumously. more »

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Written by: Jimmy Dean

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Genre
"Big Bad John" is a country song, blending elements of folk storytelling and spoken-word performance.
Song Release
The song was first released on September 1961.
Singer's Achievement
The singer, Jimmy Dean, is not just popular for his music but also as a TV host, and for his entrepreneurial venture in creating a sausage company.
Song Inspiration
Dean stated that he was inspired by the 1956 film "Giant," starring Rock Hudson and James Dean, to write "Big Bad John."
Unique Element
The song is unique because it contains only one verse and chorus that are repeated three times, yet it still grabbed audience attention and popularity.
Chart Performance
It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1961 and went on to win a Grammy.
Lyrics Description
The song tells the story of a large, mighty coal miner who saves his fellow miners from a mine collapse.
Sequels
Dean recorded two sequels to the song named "The Cajun Queen" and "Little Bitty Big John."
Covers
"Big Bad John" has been covered by several other artists, including Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.
Commercial Use
It was later used as a commercial for Jimmy Dean's sausage brand.
Awards
"Big Bad John" also earned Jimmy Dean a Grammy for Best Country & Western Recording of 1961.
Induction into Hall of Fame
"Big Bad John" was officially inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Cultural Impact
The song contributed significantly to Jimmy Dean's reputation as a defining figure in the crossover country-pop genre.

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    Big Bad John

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1961

    Billboard #1


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