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Big Boss Man (song)
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Wikipedia article
'"Big Boss Man"' is a blues song first recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1960. Unlike his most popular songs, the songwriting is credited to Luther Dixon and Al Smith. It was a hit for Reed and has been identified as an influential song. Elvis Presley and B.B. King also recorded hit versions of the tune.
Original song
"Big Boss Man" is an uptempo twelve-bar blues shuffle that features "one of the most influential Reed grooves of all time".
It is credited to Jimmy Reed's manager, Al Smith, and Vee-Jay Records staff writer Luther Dixon. The song is one of the few Reed hits that was written by someone other than Reed and his wife. Reed recorded the song in Chicago on March 29, 1960; backing Reed, who sang and played harmonica and guitar, are Mamma Reed on vocal, Lee Baker and Lefty Bates on guitars, Willie Dixon on bass, and Earl Phillips on drums.
"Big Boss Man" was originally released on Jimmy Reed's 1960 album 'Found Love'. In 1961, Vee-Jay Records released it as a single, which reached number 13 on 'Billboard's R&B Hot Sides chart and number 78 on its Hot 100 chart.
Legacy
In 1990, the song was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
In its induction statement, blues historian Jim O'Neal noted that the song's appeal went beyond blues musicians and:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included it in its 1995 list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".
Renditions
*On September 10, 1967, Elvis Presley recorded a version of "Big Boss Man". It was issued as a single and reached number 38 on the singles chart.
He performed the song as part of a medley during the 'Elvis 1968 Comeback Special'.
*B.B. King recorded the song for his 1985 album 'Six Silver Strings'. Released on a single by MCA Records, his rendition reached number 62 on 'Billboard's Hot Black singles chart.
*Hope Sandoval recorded the song for Mercury Rev's 2019 album 'Bobbie Gentry's The Delta Sweete Revisited'. An album review noted: "Hope Sandoval takes 'Big Boss Man' in just the way youd want and expect Hope Sandoval to take 'Big Boss Man'like its an old Velvet Underground ballad shes just heard."
References
Category:1960 songs
Category:Blues songs
Category:Songs written by Luther Dixon
Category:1961 singles
Category:Jimmy Reed songs
Category:1967 singles
Category:Elvis Presley songs
Category:1985 singles
Category:B.B. King songs
Category:Vee-Jay Records singles
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