Big Bad Bill

About Big Bad Bill

This article is about the 1924 Yellen / Ager song, not the "Big Bad Bill" song recorded by Spike Jones"Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)" is a song with music by Milton Ager and lyrics by Jack Yellen, written in 1924. The song became a vocal hit for Margaret Young accompanied by Rube Bloom, and an instrumental hit for the Don Clark Orchestra. The song has also been recorded by Ernest Hare (1924), Billy Murray (1924), Clementine Smith (1924), Emmett Miller (1929), Glen Gray & the Casa Loma Orchestra (1940), Peggy Lee (1962), Merle Haggard (1973), Ry Cooder (1978), Leon Redbone (1978), Van Halen (1982) and others and has been a popular song in barbershop quartet and chorus competitions. The lyrics describe a man "in the town of Louisville..." who was once a fearsome and rough character known for getting into fights, who, after getting married, becomes a peaceable person who devotes his time to domestic activities such as washing dishes and mopping the floor. more »

Year:

1962

2:39

112 Views

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In the town of Louisville they got a man they call Big Bad Bill 
I wants to tell ya, he sure was tough tough, and he certainly did 
strut his stuff 
He had folks all scared to death, when he walked by they all held 
their breath 
He was a fighting man, sure enough 

Now Bill got himself a wife, and he leads a different life 

Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now 
Married life done changed him some how 
He's the man the town used to fear 
Now they all call him sweet pappa Willie dear 
Stronger than Samson I declare 
'Til the brown skinned woman 
Bobbed his hair 

Big Bad Bill don't fight any more (No, he don't) 
Doing the dishes
Mopping up that floor (Yes, he is) 
Well he used to go out drinking
Looking for a fight 
Now he gotta see that woman
Everynight 
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now 

Ah, play it boys
I likes that jazz 

Big Bad Bill don't fight any more (No, he don't) 
Doing the dishes
Mopping up that floor (Yes, he is) 
Well he used to go out drinking
Looking for a fight 
Now he gotta see that woman
Everynight 
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now (Doing the dishes) 
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now (Mop up the floor) 
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now

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Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and performer. She wrote music for films, acted, and created conceptual record albums—encompassing poetry, jazz, chamber pop, and art songs. more »

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