Big Bad John
Written by Annette Grady on September 27, 2020
“Big Bad John” is a country song written and composed by Jimmy Dean. It was released in September 1961 and quickly rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 by early November. This iconic tune celebrates the quintessential American values of strength, bravery, and perseverance.
“I wrote the song in an hour and a half while flying to Nashville for a recording session.”
The story Behind the Song
The song tells the story of a quiet miner named Big John, known for his mysterious and imposing presence. He is six foot, six inches tall, weighs 245 pounds, and hails from New Orleans. According to legend, he once killed a man with a single blow of his massive right hand during a dispute over a Cajun Queen. But Big John’s true heroism is revealed underground.
While working in a mine, disaster strikes when a support timber cracks, and the situation seems hopeless. However, Big John uses his strength to open a passage, allowing 20 other miners to escape. Just as rescuers prepare to re-enter with the necessary tools, the mine collapses completely, and Big John is presumed dead. A marble statue stands in front of the mine with the inscription: “At the bottom of this mine lies one hell of a man – Big John.” Some song versions replace the last line with “lies a big, big man” to avoid profanity.
Big Bad John Achieves Success
The impact of ‘Big Bad John’ extended far beyond the music charts, leaving an enduring imprint on American folklore. It garnered Jimmy Dean the esteemed 1962 Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording and was a strong contender for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. The song’s sequels, including ‘My Big John’ and ‘The Cajun Queen,’ further enriched the stories woven around this larger-than-life character, solidifying his place in our cultural legacy.
So, the next time you hear those opening chords, remember the indomitable spirit of Big Bad John echoing through the shafts of the mine, paying tribute to the hardworking men and women who risk their lives daily to make a living.
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David Pugh On October 20, 2020 at 3:29 pm
I loved Jimmy Dean, and I watched his weekly television show every week, from my home in West Virginia. My dad was transferred to Northern Ky. in 1965. Being on the Ohio River, we were just minutes away from Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1966, my mom and I went to see Jimmy Dean at the Cincinnati Gardens. He was a huge star, obviously, from his Syndicated TV show, and hit songs like Big Bad John. We had taken our seats, and we were ready to see Jimmy Dean. The lights dimmed, and the PA announcer informed us that a small group from Middletown, Ohio was going to entertain us before Jimmy Dean was brought on. I had never heard of the group who was opening, but it turned out to be the Osborne Brothers. Wow, I was about to get hooked on Bluegrass. The crowd roared with applause for Sonny and Bobby. Nobody wanted them to leave the stage. I left there that day, totally into this new group. I went out and bought a mandolin, and began to learn songs by the Osborne Brothers. From that day on, bluegrass had a special place in my heart. I have always loved traditional country, bluegrass, and gospel. As a singer, and band leader, I shared all of these genres everywhere we performed. I went into radio, during the mid seventies, and worked for many AM and FM stations playing the genres I loved. Jump ahead to 2019, that’s when I began a new radio show, Mountain Bluegrass with David Pugh. I am proud to be doing my show live, every Sunday night, on streaming radio that gets out to the world. TheBluegrassJamboree.com
*Thank you, Jimmy Dean.*
~David M. Pugh~
On Air Radio Personality
Mountain Bluegrass
Sunday nights
9:00 pm.est.- 1:00 am.est.
http://www.thebluegrassjamboree.com
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Pat Hannold On November 9, 2020 at 12:15 am
I loved that tune ! I still have the 45rpm and it’s a wonder you can’t see right through it for as many times as I played it. Probably few people remember the B side of that record, But I loved it too. The song…. ” I won’t go huntin with you Jake, but I’ll go chasin women “