[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnnHprUGKF0]
If you've ever read this blog before at any length, you know that I love songs that tell a story. Well, this is that concept in its most literal form. Dean actually tells you the story, not just an interpretation of a story or an allusion to one. This was a HUGE hit for Dean in 1961. It went to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and won the singer a Grammy, Best Country & Western recording. He wrote the song with his friend Roy Acuff.
I think what I like the most about the song is...well, two things. One, I love an underdog story. That's exactly what John is. Everyone just assumes he's a hard a**, but as it turns out, he's the hero of the story. The other thing I love is the lack of actual music in the song. There's the vocals (lead and background), the constant pick hitting the rock, very light percussion, a tiny bit of bass, and that's pretty much it. Pianist Floyd Cramer was hired to play on the song, but allegedly came up with the idea for the pick ax sound.
This song is also the first musical connection I made with my grandparents. It was the first song I ever heard play on their stereo that I actually enjoyed. Most of their stuff was way too "slow" for a kid my age. There are apparently some sequels to this song, too; however, I've looked them up and don't really care for them. If you want to check them out, the titles are "The Cajun Queen" and "Little Bitty Big John", both by Dean, and "My Big John" by Dottie West.
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