This makes me think about my daddy. He had the LP on vinyl when i was a little girl. He played this song over and over. His name was John but his nickname was Buddy. He had a deep robust voice and would sing along . We lost daddy almost 3 yrs ago to brain cancer ,2 days before his 78th birthday. RIP Big John 🙏💔😪
Modern music is nothing compared to what it was like back in the old P.S. I recently started high school and when I talk 'bout this type of music nobody knows what on Earth I'm talking 'bout
Great song yes, maybe not as recognized today as it should be, BUT, definitely not underrated- If I am correct I think that this was the first country hit to go gold.
Underrated pretty much means not recognized today. The only people who know of this song are people my grandparents and parents ages. And those of us who listen to nothing but classic country from way back when.
@@bigoldinosaur What underrated {actually} means is rated below its value. With that in mind, we see the word, underrated misused constantly in these comment sections. Is it largely forgotten? Yes, but that's not the same thing. However, it is still tragic that we should forget these great stories and their tellers.
I'm latin american, born and raised in Puerto Rico. Moved to Ohio two years ago and met a guy at my job that for some reason thinks of this son every time he sees me; I had to look it up. I'm not tall, by any means, people call me John since I can remember and my name tag reads "John" not Juan. Long story short, here I am, loving this beautiful and masterful story. I just wish I could visit the 60s for a couple hours. This was great!
When I was little I thought this song was about my dad. Everyone called him Big John. It wasn't until I was older that I figured it out. But, it's a nice memory. ❤
YUP! First times I remember hearing this song, sittin' in the back of a big 'ol '68 Cadillac.....my mom stopped, rolled her window down, and spoke at length with a friend, while I wasn't making a sound, her friend noticed the tears streaming from my eyes and exclaimed "Jesus, what's wrong with the kid?"....mom said "Oh, she's just sad about this song".....I couldn't have been more than five, or six.....Proud of who that little girl was.....and she hasn't changed!
I used to work in a warehouse with a "Big John" type. I'll never forget him. I had a cousin who was *definitely* in this category. I'd tell you all about *him* "but I'd have to kill you". I have a current pal ( one of the few remaining but I'd trust him with my life ) also in the category. A former firefighter ( what a surprise huh? ). Last, but not least, is my former Vietnam Conflict combat veteran pal. He's in a whole different category of humanity. I've been very fortunate in coming into contact with some rather amazing characters during my life.
My Mom & Dad, met Mr. Jimmy Dean back in the early 1950's, when Mr. Dean was just beginning his singing career!! I understand Mr. Dean not only had a good voice, he was also a true Southern gentlemen & enjoyed personally meeting the people who came to see Mr. Dean perform!! I know he's in Heaven with my Lord God & my Mom& Dad!!
One of my most favorite possessions is an autograph given to me by Jimmy Dean himself. My name is John, and all of my life since about the age of 6 my family has called be "Big Bad John" - I was HUGE at an early age. Never quite hit the height of big John, he was 6'6", I am 6'5. I was over 6 foot at the age of 11. As a kid I loved the song and it inspired a life long love of country music- as an adult the first song that I did in front of an audience was of course "Big Bad John"! Anyway, many years ago I wrote a letter to Jimmy Dean, thanked him for the music, told him my story and told him what an impact his music had on my life, even sent him a tape of my own cover of "Big Bad John". I didn't ask for anything in return in my letter, it was just a thank you letter, never expected to hear back from him. Anyway, a few weeks after I had sent that letter there was a large manila envelope in my mailbox one day, I pulled it out and the return address was stamped with "Jimmy Dean Enterprises". I opened it up, and there was a nice letter from the man himself inside, and an 8x10 autographed photo that read "TO BIG BAD JOHN -Jimmy Dean". To say I was thrilled would be an understatement! What a great guy!
my father stood 6'8" and worked at American Can Co. He was a lithographer. He helped designed the color scheme for STP oil treatment, hunts tomato and several others. He kept the original plates at home and everyone called him "Big John" or JB. He liked to listen to this song. Brings back so many memories.
Jimmy Dean was a delightful entertainer in so many ways. Deservedly called America's Favorite Son. Still listen to many of his fine recordings, and really appreciate this upload (Thanks!).
This is another song that always makes me cry, I must be far more sentimental than I originally thought! Partly because my own John was - well, called John - but also I've always felt how lonely Big John must have been, poor chap. He would have benefited from a good chat with a mate, or someone taking him out for a meal, or something.
I am so glad we have footage like this still around. When hummanity fails, this will remind the next race on this world that not all humans were hopeless ;)
grew up a few blocks from the deans, who were friends with my parents. when he was making the movie "diamonds are forever" he played a character originally named willard white. dean went to the producers and requested that the character have a change of name -- or at least the spelling thereof. it was a great surprise to see the movie for the first time and behold our family name in large letters atop the "Whyte House," a large hotel owned by the willard whyte character. a thoughtful gesture by dean that i have the pleasure of revisiting every time i watch the movie -- even some 50 years later.
What a great video, to see Jimmy LIVE.! Here is my story from 1961. BIG BAD JOHN. In 1961 I was age 17, and a radio station in Bakersfield , CA, had a contest DRAW BIG BAD JOHN. I won! My mom kept the drawings put away for all these years. At some point, over 20 years ago, I had to clean out her apt. I found the drawings. I put them in a box with all her things. Now, it was time to discard things. Hard to do emotionally. I found the drawings again. Go to FACEBOOK, look me up. LOUIS VELASQUEZ. There, I posted those 2 drawings from 1961. A great time to be a teenager....Elvis, Ritchie Valens ( my hero) , Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and JIMMY DEAN.-- RIP.
i have a the 7" record that my nan played to me as a child in the 80s :). (it belonged to my aunt and has her name written on the sleeve.) a different upload on youtube has surprisingly good quality which was apparently from a 7" record.
The real lyrics at the end are At the bottom of this pit lies one hell of a man, big John. But the television censors wouldn't allow him to say hell. So he changed it to a big, big man. Hey, it was 1961!
Sixty years ago today in 1961 {November 6th} "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean peaked at #1 {for 5 weeks} on Billboard's Top 100 chart, and it spent sixteen weeks on the Top 100... "Big Bad John" also reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles and Easy Listening charts... Between 1957 and 1976 the Olton, Texas native had ten records on the Top 100 chart, two made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, the above "Big Bad John" Besides "Big Bad John", his other Top 10 record was "P.T. 109", it peaked #8 for one week in May of 1962... He had four Top 30 records, "Dear Ivan" at #24 for two weeks in January of 1962, "The Cajun Queen" at #22 for one week in February of 1962, "To A Sleeping Beauty" at #26 for one week in February of 1962, and "Little Black Book" at #29 for one week in October of 1962... Jimmy Ray Dean passed away at the age of 81 on June 13th, 2010... May he R.I.P. And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of Billboard's Top 10 on November 6th, 1961: At #2. "Runaround Sue" by Dion {it was the #1 record for the previous two weeks} #3."Bristol Stomp" by The Dovells #4. "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles #5. "Fool #1" by Brenda Lee (Decca)-6 (5) #6. "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)" by Sue Thompson #7. "This Time" by Troy Shondell #8. "The Fly" by Chubby Checker #9. "I Love How You Love Me" by The Paris Sisters #10. "Tower of Strength" by Gene McDaniels
There's a French Canadian version of this song titled "Gros jambon", i.e. "Big ham". I grew up with this song and I always picture a giant ham when I hear this song, :) I just found out about the English version watching your video. It´s great! He sure was a handsome man.
I love this song.. i love all the old songs.. im prob one of the few 40 year olds that cruise the summer roof open windows down these good old songs blaring lol
I have an operations manager in the warehouse I work at. He looks like Jimmy Dean, but his name is john. Here's the kicker, we're in Louisiana too maybe an hour from New Orleans
This was fun to watch, and hear. In the third grade, I got a record player for Christmas, along with a few 45rpm records. This was one of them. I still have the record in the photo cover/sleeve. They are both in very good condition. Of course, on the record he says something else was written on that marble stand.
The origins of rap are in this style of country music. Rappers probably don't even realize it, but that's where it comes from. This was a popular style when I was a kid. Porter Wagoner comes to mind. He talked about half his songs. It continued to be popular even into the seventies with songs like Convoy which was a huge hit and inspired a bad Sam Peckinpah movie.
This is a Classic. one of the greatest ballads recorded. From this song a Name and fortune was made. Try doing that now with all of the corruption. An example of how money corrupts all.
Who could have guessed how good a sausage this man would go on to make?
This makes me think about my daddy. He had the LP on vinyl when i was a little girl. He played this song over and over. His name was John but his nickname was Buddy. He had a deep robust voice and would sing along . We lost daddy almost 3 yrs ago to brain cancer ,2 days before his 78th birthday. RIP Big John 🙏💔😪
I'm 50 ,when I was young my dad and his best friend had a bar in the basement......this song was one I know and still enjoy
This was the soul of old country music, the storytellers. Today’s country music has no storytelling thus no soul. RIP Jimmy Dean
Being 19 in 2019 and listening to this kind of music, ain't got me popular in school. But damn who needs that when you got this kind of art.
Yeah, and real creativity and talent in music today has drifted away.
oliver sommer 😂❤️♥️❤️
Im 18 and this is one of my favorites. Right there with you
Modern music is nothing compared to what it was like back in the old
P.S. I recently started high school and when I talk 'bout this type of music nobody knows what on Earth I'm talking 'bout
Haha. Look at me guys, I’m so cool and quirky. I don’t listen to other songs like these OTHER teenagers, haha pay attention to me.
That's pure raw talent. 2 B&W cameras, a mic, small rhythm section and chorus....and Mr. Dean.
Such a great and underrated song.
Underrated? This song did pretty well
Nah I know what you mean by underrated. In today’s collective consciousness it goes largely unnoticed
Great song yes, maybe not as recognized today as it should be, BUT, definitely not underrated- If I am correct I think that this was the first country hit to go gold.
Underrated pretty much means not recognized today. The only people who know of this song are people my grandparents and parents ages. And those of us who listen to nothing but classic country from way back when.
@@bigoldinosaur What underrated {actually} means is rated below its value. With that in mind, we see the word, underrated misused constantly in these comment sections. Is it largely forgotten? Yes, but that's not the same thing. However, it is still tragic that we should forget these great stories and their tellers.
I'm latin american, born and raised in Puerto Rico. Moved to Ohio two years ago and met a guy at my job that for some reason thinks of this son every time he sees me; I had to look it up. I'm not tall, by any means, people call me John since I can remember and my name tag reads "John" not Juan. Long story short, here I am, loving this beautiful and masterful story. I just wish I could visit the 60s for a couple hours. This was great!
the art of story-telling is long gone
@@gamer-gd8mu true
@@gamer-gd8mu The only hoes in rap like this are used for digging up dirt. I can't stand modern rap.
Amen. I still have my parent's old record album of Johnny Appleseed. And I love listening to it.
@@gamer-gd8mu lmao
look up stonesoup story telling in the usa, they have great story tellers, my granddaughter participates once a year locally. FUN!
When I was little I thought this song was about my dad. Everyone called him Big John. It wasn't until I was older that I figured it out. But, it's a nice memory. ❤
This is an all-time classic! Big John.
Indeed, my dad used to play this song to me when I was little. I have never forgotten it.
@@johnpadilla4661 me too. Its a classic🏋️. No one can sing it like Jimmy Dean🎶
YUP! First times I remember hearing this song, sittin' in the back of a big 'ol '68 Cadillac.....my mom stopped, rolled her window down, and spoke at length with a friend, while I wasn't making a sound, her friend noticed the tears streaming from my eyes and exclaimed "Jesus, what's wrong with the kid?"....mom said "Oh, she's just sad about this song".....I couldn't have been more than five, or six.....Proud of who that little girl was.....and she hasn't changed!
I love this old music, it tells a great story
I got a Big John, He's My Son. 6'6" 260... Nicest guy you would ever want to Meet.
I used to work in a warehouse with a "Big John" type. I'll never forget him. I had a cousin who was *definitely* in this category. I'd tell you all about *him* "but I'd have to kill you". I have a current pal ( one of the few remaining but I'd trust him with my life ) also in the category. A former firefighter ( what a surprise huh? ). Last, but not least, is my former Vietnam Conflict combat veteran pal. He's in a whole different category of humanity. I've been very fortunate in coming into contact with some rather amazing characters during my life.
I have one too, only it's Big Brad....My son 6'8" 250.
Ron Farinetti how old is he cause I'm 16. Six foot eight and 297 and I'm nice and stuff... Although everyone calls me the Mexican chewbacca
Prestige Sn1p3r 😊
I loved this song when I first heard it and 40 years later same thing!!
I've loved that song for sixty years. :)
My Mom & Dad, met Mr. Jimmy Dean back in the early 1950's, when Mr. Dean was just beginning his singing career!! I understand Mr. Dean not only had a good voice, he was also a true Southern gentlemen & enjoyed personally meeting the people who came to see Mr. Dean perform!! I know he's in Heaven with my Lord God & my Mom& Dad!!
We named a dog after this song. He lived for 17 years and had a big heart.
Thank you for having a live version of this song. Excellent.
My Dad’s favorite song! He was only 5’9 but we respected him! No lip from us!! Sure do miss him!
It always makes me cry. ❤
My "pop" always had this "45" playing........Didn't appreciate back then.......great song!
WOW! I used to sing this when I walked to grade school. Thanx for the Treasure!
What a charmer. Awesome song.
One of my most favorite possessions is an autograph given to me by Jimmy Dean himself. My name is John, and all of my life since about the age of 6 my family has called be "Big Bad John" - I was HUGE at an early age. Never quite hit the height of big John, he was 6'6", I am 6'5. I was over 6 foot at the age of 11. As a kid I loved the song and it inspired a life long love of country music- as an adult the first song that I did in front of an audience was of course "Big Bad John"! Anyway, many years ago I wrote a letter to Jimmy Dean, thanked him for the music, told him my story and told him what an impact his music had on my life, even sent him a tape of my own cover of "Big Bad John". I didn't ask for anything in return in my letter, it was just a thank you letter, never expected to hear back from him. Anyway, a few weeks after I had sent that letter there was a large manila envelope in my mailbox one day, I pulled it out and the return address was stamped with "Jimmy Dean Enterprises". I opened it up, and there was a nice letter from the man himself inside, and an 8x10 autographed photo that read "TO BIG BAD JOHN -Jimmy Dean". To say I was thrilled would be an understatement! What a great guy!
Saw him Live in 1972 our 1st anniversary. Very nice gentleman with a great voice. Left us too soon. RIP
my father stood 6'8" and worked at American Can Co. He was a lithographer. He helped designed the color scheme for STP oil treatment, hunts tomato and several others. He kept the original plates at home and everyone called him "Big John" or JB. He liked to listen to this song. Brings back so many memories.
pat rowell LOVE stories like this, Thanks 😊👍
One of my Dad's old favs...gonna perfect this classic at some point.
Our shift used to sing along to this song at work. I still know the entire lyric.
One of my Dad's favourites, fantastic song
Thank you so much Mr. Dean for classics like this and others we can look back on in times where strength is needed.
Jimmy Dean was a delightful entertainer in so many ways. Deservedly called America's Favorite Son. Still listen to many of his fine recordings, and really appreciate this upload (Thanks!).
I always loved this song by Jimmy Dean.
This is another song that always makes me cry, I must be far more sentimental than I originally thought! Partly because my own John was - well, called John - but also I've always felt how lonely Big John must have been, poor chap. He would have benefited from a good chat with a mate, or someone taking him out for a meal, or something.
I am so glad we have footage like this still around. When hummanity fails, this will remind the next race on this world that not all humans were hopeless ;)
My mom met Jimmy dean once in the late 60s. Got his autograph. Wish she kept it
i love this even though it was way before my time 😁😂😍
I sing or hum this song when eating Jimmy Dean Sausage, both my Fav YUM!!
Me too
Our 4 year old daughter and 7 month old son love this song. Our boy will completely calm down from a fit if this is played.
Just simply tge best version ever....I remember when i heard this song I was 7, and had a big bad uncle John but loved him......
grew up a few blocks from the deans, who were friends with my parents. when he was making the movie "diamonds are forever" he played a character originally named willard white. dean went to the producers and requested that the character have a change of name -- or at least the spelling thereof. it was a great surprise to see the movie for the first time and behold our family name in large letters atop the "Whyte House," a large hotel owned by the willard whyte character. a thoughtful gesture by dean that i have the pleasure of revisiting every time i watch the movie -- even some 50 years later.
I see this as a "Unplugged" version of "Big John"....I love it!
I listened to this on a record in prob 1975, when I learned how to use a record player, he still rocks
I like me very much this song for jimmy dean. Congratulations from CHILE 🇨🇱🇨🇱 AGOSTO 2020
Always loved this song. Maybe 'cause my father was 6'6" and never took any lip from his four children.
My Father is 5’9” and he didn’t take any lip either
My dad John was 5’8” and he took no lip either! This was his favorite song!
my dad was gone
I remember the good old days back in bc, when if you're kids were bad you could cut their arms off
This was one of my favorite song's when I was real young. I loved some movies he played in also.
What a great video, to see Jimmy LIVE.! Here is my story from 1961. BIG BAD JOHN. In 1961 I was age 17, and a radio station in Bakersfield , CA, had a contest DRAW BIG BAD JOHN. I won! My mom kept the drawings put away for all these years. At some point, over 20 years ago, I had to clean out her apt. I found the drawings. I put them in a box with all her things. Now, it was time to discard things. Hard to do emotionally. I found the drawings again. Go to FACEBOOK, look me up. LOUIS VELASQUEZ. There, I posted those 2 drawings from 1961. A great time to be a teenager....Elvis, Ritchie Valens ( my hero) , Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and JIMMY DEAN.-- RIP.
You have to wonder how many times Jimmy Dean sang this song on the Jimmy Dean Show, as shown here.
love this song Grew up with it use to listen to it on my 45 record in the 60's
me too, didn't know at the time how hard it would become to get hold of the 45 again:-(
i have a the 7" record that my nan played to me as a child in the 80s :). (it belonged to my aunt and has her name written on the sleeve.) a different upload on youtube has surprisingly good quality which was apparently from a 7" record.
One of my favorite songs!!!! Thank You.
What a hottie! The way he walked up so smoothly with so much swagger, my heart just skipped a beat💗
A great singer! Would have liked to hear more from him.
My dad name was john and it made me think of him
I was born in 64 but never heard of the Jimmy Dean Show.
i use to love this song when i was young...still makes me smile..:)
"Ahh, Big Bad John" = priceless
The real lyrics at the end are At the bottom of this pit lies one hell of a man, big John. But the television censors wouldn't allow him to say hell. So he changed it to a big, big man. Hey, it was 1961!
no that's not the "real" lyrics that's Johnny Cash's version.
+Eric Chapman Really. Watch Big Bad John- Jimmy Dean 2008 here 9n TH-cam.
FUN FACT: I knew before you said anything
He says hell halfway through lol wat
I bet their logic was if you use Hell as a noun it’s acceptable, but no one is to use Hell as an adjective...cept John
Sixty years ago today in 1961 {November 6th} "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean peaked at #1 {for 5 weeks} on Billboard's Top 100 chart, and it spent sixteen weeks on the Top 100...
"Big Bad John" also reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles and Easy Listening charts...
Between 1957 and 1976 the Olton, Texas native had ten records on the Top 100 chart, two made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, the above "Big Bad John"
Besides "Big Bad John", his other Top 10 record was "P.T. 109", it peaked #8 for one week in May of 1962...
He had four Top 30 records, "Dear Ivan" at #24 for two weeks in January of 1962, "The Cajun Queen" at #22 for one week in February of 1962, "To A Sleeping Beauty" at #26 for one week in February of 1962, and "Little Black Book" at #29 for one week in October of 1962...
Jimmy Ray Dean passed away at the age of 81 on June 13th, 2010...
May he R.I.P.
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of Billboard's Top 10 on November 6th, 1961:
At #2. "Runaround Sue" by Dion {it was the #1 record for the previous two weeks}
#3."Bristol Stomp" by The Dovells
#4. "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles
#5. "Fool #1" by Brenda Lee (Decca)-6 (5)
#6. "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)" by Sue Thompson
#7. "This Time" by Troy Shondell
#8. "The Fly" by Chubby Checker
#9. "I Love How You Love Me" by The Paris Sisters
#10. "Tower of Strength" by Gene McDaniels
He was from Plainview, not Olton.
What a great ole Classic
There's a French Canadian version of this song titled "Gros jambon", i.e. "Big ham". I grew up with this song and I always picture a giant ham when I hear this song, :) I just found out about the English version watching your video. It´s great! He sure was a handsome man.
He was a handsome fella, wasn't he? I love his smile! :)
C'est qui le chanteur de Gros Jambon? Who sings Gros Jambon?
Réal Giguère. :)
Mili Pi
Merçi
I wonder if there’s a version where he says he stood 5’6” and weighed 145.... I’d walk everywhere with that playing behind me
I always envision this tale and in my mind Big John is Jimmy Dean.
Thank you for posting this! Nowadays he is known for the country sausages and breakfast entrees his company produces.
I love the way he says big John!
Love this song
makes me cry every time
I love this song.. i love all the old songs.. im prob one of the few 40 year olds that cruise the summer roof open windows down these good old songs blaring lol
Rest In Peace jimmy dean
I have an operations manager in the warehouse I work at. He looks like Jimmy Dean, but his name is john. Here's the kicker, we're in Louisiana too maybe an hour from New Orleans
1 of my faves from my childhood when i was 5/6 years old also mother of mine
My boss sang this song today and couldn't believe I'd never heard it.
And to think it was sausage magnate Jimmy Dean.
I’m 10 and listening to music from the 80s to the 50s
This song reminds me of my father who was called big John he never started a fight but when he hit them their faces would split he was a good man
Wow...back when music was real!
My father always big John cause I'm 6'5 and I weigh 255 pounds and I'm one of the most nice polite person you'd ever meet
First time I've seen this, singing along, in the bath lol. 👍👍👍
Love it!
The Jordanaires were the original back up voices. Great group.
Great song!
So deam Good looking Jimmy ♥️❤️♥️
This was fun to watch, and hear. In the third grade, I got a record player for Christmas, along with a few 45rpm records. This was one of them. I still have the record in the photo cover/sleeve. They are both in very good condition. Of course, on the record he says something else was written on that marble stand.
👍 old 🏫 song! Still listening May 2020
This make me think of my grandparents
crazy how you can make a banger of a song and barely do much on screen and still be super popular. WTF happened to us x.x
It’s live
Also, stuff on screen wasn’t as big in the 50s
Thank You.
I alway wanted to hear this again.
What a classic.
A legend ol' James Dean.
loved this guy
My dad use to sing this to me because my name is john
Never cared much for live versions....but love this song. I prefer the original version over this one though.
Love this
The origins of rap are in this style of country music. Rappers probably don't even realize it, but that's where it comes from. This was a popular style when I was a kid. Porter Wagoner comes to mind. He talked about half his songs. It continued to be popular even into the seventies with songs like Convoy which was a huge hit and inspired a bad Sam Peckinpah movie.
How many folks know that he wrote a sequel called "Cajun Queen" and it has a happy ending? ☺
Geoff Castellucci just dropped a cover of this song-it’s a gorgeous tribute.
Great song.
Loving the brows
This is a Classic. one of the greatest ballads recorded.
From this song a Name and fortune was made.
Try doing that now with all of the corruption.
An example of how money corrupts all.
Posted on my birthday!! I
Good song , love this always