Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)
"Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)" is a song with music by Milton Ager and lyrics by Jack Yellen, written in 1924.[1] The song became a vocal hit for Margaret Young accompanied by Rube Bloom, and an instrumental hit for the Don Clark Orchestra.[1]
The song has also been recorded by Ernest Hare (1924),[2][3] Billy Murray (1924), Clementine Smith (1924), Emmett Miller (1929), Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra (1940), Peggy Lee (1962), Merle Haggard (1973), Ry Cooder (1978), Leon Redbone (1978), Van Halen (1982) and others[4] and has been a popular song in barbershop quartet and chorus competitions.[5][6]
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. He was "Stronger than Samson I declare, Til the brown skinned woman, Bobbed his hair."[7]
Recordings
- Billy Murray (1924) Victor Talking Machine Company: 19503-A[8]
- Emmett Miller (1929) accompanied by his Georgia Crackers. Okeh: 41305[9]
- Sugar 'n' Spice (1962), by Peggy Lee[10]
- I Love Dixie Blues (1973), by Merle Haggard[11]
- Jazz (1978), by Ry Cooder (opening track)[12][13][14]
- Champagne Charlie (1978), by Leon Redbone[15]
- Diver Down (1982), by Van Halen[16]
- Bursting With Pride, by the Pride of Baltimore Chorus[17]
In film
- William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe (2009), sung by Sam Amidon and Shahzad Ismaily during the creditsScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
- Boardwalk Empire, Season 2Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
References
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Blue Amberol Records 4947 (1924 Edison cylinder)
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now" at allmusic.com (link)Script error: No such module "Unsubst".. Accessed 2011 January 2
- ↑ Balladtown USA presents 30 Years of Barbershop Harmony (1975) RCS Records RCS-71, 1975 All Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest, Forest Grove, OR - "The Lions Share"
- ↑ Naked Voice Records NVR 409 (link Template:Webarchive)
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Warner Brothers Records BSK 3197
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ CD 5608 at Singers.com (link)
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External links
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