Big Bad John | PREVIEW SCREENING (Patreon)

In the interest of full disclosure, this is one of those songs that I probably wouldn't have ever picked out for myself  to record even though It's a song that I always enjoyed listening to, in a "huh, it's really weird that this got radio play" kinda way, but it never really struck me as a song that had much of a following or that many other folks had a feeling either way about it. I mean, let's be honest with each other, when is the last time you EVER heard somebody request Big Bad John at a bar mitzvah or a wedding or from a DJ or on a jukebox, or really anywhere? When's the last time you've even heard this song PLAYED anywhere? It's not exactly an ear-friendly pop-tune, is it? Can you even line dance to Big Bad John? Can you nod your head along to the beat? CAN YOU POKEY TO THIS HOKEY!? REVEAL TO ME YOUR SECRETS OH OUTLIER OF MID CENTURY MUSICALITY I MUST KNOW!!!

I've pooped myself again. Excuse me.

BUT there is something about the story of Big John that sticks with you, It sticks with you like a very very sticky... um... gummy bear? And then there's the matter-of-fact way that Jimmy Dean delivers the lyrics that invite you to listen to the words in a more active manner. So, I think you'll agree that there's a certain, je ne sais quoi about Big Bad John, if you'll pardon my French.

That being said, I've gotten positively blown up with requests for this country-fied old school rap, so I dug out my finest mining tools (again) and my very best tank tops (again) and i got to work re-creating a song that apparently has a HUGE following of folks who hold it dear and are incredibly quiet about it until they're asking me to record it. And then when they ask they ask loudly and often. Not that I'm complaining, i love getting texts from my mother in law at 3 in the morning asking me to record it. I'M WORKING ON IT, MOM. GO BACK TO BED!

Well, here it is, and I hope I delivered.

There are more than a couple covers of Big Bad John out there and this one will probably stand out to you as being the most musical version you've ever heard. I hope you'll forgive me for that indulgence, I couldn't help myself.

Cheers to you all, and I hope that if we're ever stuck in a mine together somewhere one of us remembers to bring snacks, might I suggest gummy bears.

-G