BIG BOSS MAN

“Big Boss Man” is a popular blues song written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith in 1960. It

was released by Jimmy Reed in 1961. Reed’s recordings of “Big Boss Man” and “Bright

Lights, Big City” were both voted onto the list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame‘s 500

Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Elvis Presley recorded a version of the song on September 10, 1967. It was released on a

single the same month, backed with “You Don’t Know Me”, and reached #38 on the

Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Big boss man, can’t you hear me when I call?

You ain’t so big, you just tall, that’s just about all.

You got me working boss man, a workin’ around the clock,

I want a little drink of whiskey, you sure won’t let me stop.

Big boss man, can’t you hear me when I call?

You ain’t so big, you just tall, that’s just about all.

I’m gonna get me a boss man, one gonna treat me right,

I work hard in the daytime, sure get drunk at night.

You ain’t so big, you just tall, that’s just about all

Banjo Mountain