Big Bad John is still widely considered among the best country songs of all time. Co-written with Roy Acuff, Big John was the biggest hit Jimmy Dean ever had in a recording career that spanned several albums and even a TV variety show. (this was long before Dean quit recording and went into the pork sausage business.)
This is the story of a huge, muscular miner who kept to entirely to himself. His large bearing and natural reticence resulted in the other miners being afraid to even approach him to speak. Then one day he quietly gave his life for the others.
Big John was a huge hit, spending two weeks as number one on the country charts and five in the number one slot on Billboard's top 100. After it slid from first place, it remained in the top forty for practically forever. You coudn't listen to the radio in 1961 -pop, country, or easy listening-without hearing this monster hit played repeatedly throughout the day. Listeners couldn't get enough. It was one of the most requested songs of all time.
But, as often happens, that kind of success wasn't enough for Jimmy Dean, so he came out with a follow-up to that song that, if you were unfortunate enough to have heard it, completely ruins the sweet melancholy you felt after hearing the original.
For you young'uns, I suggest you listen to the original first. Here it is:
Now a warning: Once you hear the sequel, you'll wish you hadn't. You're gonna hate yourself for listening to it and you're gonna hate me for showing it to you.
Sorry, gang, but that's what I'm here for: to document the music industry's garbage as well as its treasures.
UPDATE:
Oh my gosh! Jimmy Dean wasn't done! I just found ANOTHER sequel, this one about the son of Big John and the Cajun Queen.
Here is Little Bitty Big John. Ugh.
We should all be grateful Jimmy Dean quit the music business and became a pig farmer. There's no telling how many more horrific sequels he might have tortured us with.
Next: Hey Everybody, Do The Freddy!
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