Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)
- 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.[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] 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[3] and has been a popular song in barbershop quartet and chorus competitions.[4][5]
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.
Recordings
- Sugar 'n' Spice (1962) Peggy Lee
- I Love Dixie Blues (1973) Merle Haggard
- Balladtown USA presents 30 Years of Barbershop Harmony (1975) Various / The Lions Share
- Jazz (1978) Ry Cooder[6]
- Champagne Charlie (1978) Leon Redbone
- Diver Down (1982) Van Halen
- Bursting With Pride, Pride Of Baltimore Chorus[7]
- 2009 International Barbershop Harmony Society Quartet Contest, Vol. 1 (2009) Various / The Harmonious Hunks
In film:
- Sung by Sam Amidon and Shahzad Ismaily during the credits of the 2009 documentary film William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe.
- Boardwalk Empire, Season 2
References
- 1 2 Jasen, David A. (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). New York: Routledge. p. 21. ISBN 0-415-93700-0. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ↑ Blue Amberol Records 4947 (1924 Edison cylinder) Ernest Hare
- ↑ "Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now" at allmusic.com (link). 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)
- ↑ Warner Brothers Records BSK 3197
- ↑ CD 5608 at Singers.com (link)