About The Song
Released in 1961, “Big Bad John” is considered one of the most successful singles country music legend Jimmy Dean has ever released in his whole career.
It has reached the No. 1 spot not just on the “Billboard Hot 100” but also on other international charts like, “The New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)” and “Canada – CHUM Hit Parade.” Yet behind the song’s success lies a story that not everyone might know.
According to reports, before the song’s release, Columbia Records was planning to drop Dean from the label since it had already been years since any of his songs landed a hit on the charts. But the label took a risk and gave Dean another chance, “supposedly” for the last time.
No one expected that “Big Bad John” would reach phenomenal success, making it one of the best million-selling singles of all time. It even won Dean the “Grammy Award for Best Country Music & Western Recording” in 1962, making it Jimmy Dean’s greatest hit in years.
Riding on its undeniable success, “Big Bad John” paved the way for songs like “The Cajun Queen” and “Little Bitty Big John,” both of which topped the charts in the 1960s as well.
So why John? The name was inspired by actor John Minto, whom Dean had met during a summer stock play. It was first intended as a joke towards Minto, who is 6’5” tall. Since Dean wanted to make fun of his roommate, “Big John” eventually grew to become a phrase Dean always uses.
Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean talks simply about a mysterious and quiet miner named Big Bad John. This protagonist stands out because of his unusual height and weight.
But that was not why his name had been engraved in people’s minds for decades. As the verse of the song continues, it is revealed that the mine where he was working suddenly collapsed, and Big John didn’t even hesitate to risk his life to save 20 people.
Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean talks simply about a mysterious and quiet miner named Big Bad John. This protagonist stands out because of his unusual height and weight.
But that was not why his name had been engraved in people’s minds for decades. As the verse of the song continues, it is revealed that the mine where he was working suddenly collapsed, and Big John didn’t even hesitate to risk his life to save 20 people.
Video
Lyrics
Big John
Big John
Ev’ry mornin’ at the mine you could see him arrive
He stood six foot six and weighed 245
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
And everybody knew, ya didn’t give no lip to 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, he kinda quiet and shy
And if you spoke at all, he 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 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 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 20 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 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 Bad John
(Big John)
(Big John)
Big Bad John