Big Bad John

“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 song tells the story of a quiet miner named Big John, known for his mysterious and imposing presence. He is six feet 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.

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 collection of 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.