You Don't Mess Around With Jim

Jim Croce

About You Don't Mess Around With Jim

"You Don't Mess Around with Jim" is a 1972 single by Jim Croce from his album of the same name. The song was also Croce's debut single when it was released in June 1972 on ABC Records as ABC-11328. The song first aired on KHJ 930 AM in Los Angeles when ABC Records promotion man Marty Kupps took the single to the radio station, where it appeared on the KHJ "30" chart at number 27 during the week of June 6. After spending 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song peaked at No. 8 on the week ending September 9. Croce performed the song on American Bandstand on August 12, 1972. Billboard ranked it as the No. 68 song for 1972. 


Year:
1975
3:03
1,943 
#14

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Uptown got it's hustlers
The bowery got it's bums
42nd street got big Jim walker
He's a pool shootin' son of a gun
Yeah, he big and dumb as a man can come
But he stronger than a country hoss
And when the bad folks all get together at night
You know they all call big Jim boss, just because
And they say

You don't tug on superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don't mess around with Jim

Well outta south Alabama came a country boy
He say I'm lookin' for a man named Jim
I am a pool shootin' boy
My name Willie McCoy
But down home they call me slim
Yeah I'm lookin' for the king of 42nd street
He drivin' a drop top cadillac
Last week he took all my money
And it may sound funny
But I come to get my money back
And everybody say Jack don't you know

And you don't tug on superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don't mess around with Jim

Well a hush fell over the pool room
Jimmy come boppin' in off the street
And when the cuttin' were done
The only part that wasn't bloody
Was the soles of the big man's feet
Yeah he were cut in in bout a hundred places
And he were shot in a couple more
And you better believe
They sung a different kind of story
When big Jim hit the floor now they say

You don't tug on superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don't mess around with slim

Yeah, big Jim got his hat
Find out where it's at
And it's not hustlin' people strange to you
Even if you do got a two piece custom made pool cue

Yeah you don't tug on superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off the old lone ranger
And you don't mess around with slim

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Jim Croce

James Joseph "Jim" Croce (/ˈkroʊtʃi/; January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and 11 singles. His singles "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time in a Bottle" were both number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. more »

10 fans

Written by: James Croce

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Creation
"You Don't Mess Around with Jim" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jim Croce from his second studio album of the same name, released in 1972.
Chart Performance
It became a Top 10 hit song on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number eight, and it likewise claimed the top spot on the Cash Box magazine's chart.
TV Show Reference
An episode of the popular sitcom The Office (US version) titled "Pool Party" features the character Jim Halpert singing this song.
Genre
This song is typically categorized under the Folk Rock genre which was very popular in the late 60s to early 70s.
Inspirations
Supposedly, Croce wrote the song about the people he had met during his travels who had a tough and intimidating demeanor.
Recurring Character
Notably, this song is just one of many where Croce sings about a character named Jim. Other songs include "Photographs and Memories" and "Time in a Bottle."
Song's Tale
The lyrics narrate a story of a pool shark named Jim who travels town to town seeking for someone to challenge and hustle.
Posthumous Release
Sadly, Croce died in a plane crash in September 1973. This made "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" one of his biggest posthumous hits.
Theme
The song is known for its classic rock story-telling that focuses on themes of inner city violence and the downtrodden working-class life.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered the song since its release, including Ty Herndon, Keith Whitley, and Josh Turner, showcasing the song's enduring popularity.
Media Appearance
The song has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including The Take, Django Unchained, Stranger Things, and Invincible, thus attaining a cultural landmark status.
Album Success
The album "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1972 and was then certified platinum in 1986.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1972

    Billboard #8


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