Their first studio album, Horse of a Different Color, was released in 2004. This album produced four straight Top 40 country hits, including the number 11 "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)", plus collaborations with Cowboy Troy, Gretchen Wilson, and Martina McBride. Comin' to Your City was released in November 2005 followed by another Top 20 single the Vietnam War-inspired "8th of November", and two more Top 40 hits. Joining the duo on this album were Cowboy Troy, Wilson, and Kris Kristofferson. Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace, released in 2007, produced their only No. 1 single, "Lost in This Moment". Both before and during the duo's hiatus, Rich has worked as a producer and songwriter for several other artists.
After this album, both members went on hiatus and released solo albums in 2009 — Big Kenny's The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy and Rich's Son of a Preacher Man. These also produced the duo's first Top 40 solo entries — Big Kenny with "Long After I'm Gone" and Rich with "Shuttin' Detroit Down". In 2010, Big Kenny released his second solo country album, Big Kenny's Love Everybody Traveling Musical Medicine Show Mix Tape, Vol. 1 and in 2011, Rich released the extended plays For the Kids and Rich Rocks, the latter of which included the Top 40 country single "Country Done Come to Town". Big & Rich reunited in May 2011 to release "Fake ID", a cut from the soundtrack to the 2011 film Footloose. A year later, the duo released their fourth album, Hillbilly Jedi, which produced the Top 20 hit "That's Why I Pray. In July 2013, Rich announced that the duo had begun work on their fifth studio album, Gravity, which was released independently. Another independent album, Did it For the Party, was announced in 2017 for release in September, led by the single "California.
Big Time
Big & Rich Lyrics
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For your taste my friend
My car might cost a little less
Then that suit your wearing
I'm glad you stumbled in here on your business trip
Before you close your tab
Remember I play for tipsWell I bet your wife is beautiful
And your a really big so-and-so
Well I'm not doing bad myself
Hey friend don't you know
I play guitar
And I sing my songs in the sunshine
Captain and cokes and bar room jokes
Keep me feeling fine
And there's always a stage
And a beautiful babe to squeeze my line
In my simple way
Guess you could say
I'm living in the big time
I know I'll probably never make a million buck
But saving accounts and the IRS
Never worry me much
I don't need that stuff
'Cause I've got friends like you
To buy me drinks, and boats and planes that I can use
I know your really living
In that house up on the hill
So if you feel like giving
Friend I've got a jar to fill
I play guitar
And I sing my songs in the sunshine
Captain and cokes and bar room jokes
Keep me feeling fine
And there's always a stage
And a beautiful babe to squeeze my line
In my simple way
Guess you could say
I'm living in the big time
I'm having the time of my life
No worries on my mind
Everything's just fine
Today is even better than yesterday
Everything's going my way
I'm living in the big time
And there's always a stage
And a beautiful babe to squeeze my line
In my simple way
Guess you could say
I'm living in the big time
In my simple way
Guess you could say
I'm living in the big time
The lyrics to "Big Time" by Big & Rich describe a content and carefree way of living that the singer is experiencing. Despite lacking the material wealth and status that some people pursue, the singer is happy playing music for tips and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. The lyrics contrast the singer's humbler lifestyle with that of the person they're addressing, who seems to be well-off and successful.
The verses describe the differences between the two men in a friendly, slightly teasing manner. The singing narrator acknowledges that he may not meet the other person's expectations of what success looks like, but he's confident in his own way of life. He suggests that his profession and social circle allow him more freedom and happiness than a more conventionally successful life would.
The chorus includes a few more details about the singer's experience. He mentions the camaraderie of the bar scene, the pleasure of performing music, and the presence of attractive women. These experiences make him feel like he's living "in the big time" despite not having material wealth.
Overall, "Big Time" celebrates a way of life that values simple pleasures and supportive friendships over wealth and luxury.
Line by Line Meaning
My hair might be a little too long for your taste, my friend
My appearance may not suit your liking, but I don't really care
My car might cost a little less than that suit you're wearing
Maybe I don't have the fanciest possessions, but it doesn't matter to me
I'm glad you've stumbled in here on your business trip
I appreciate your visit, even if it's just by coincidence
Before you close your tab remember I play for tips
Don't forget to show your appreciation for my music before you leave
Well I bet your wife is beautiful and you're a really big so-and-so
I'm sure you have a lovely family and are quite successful, but I am content with my own life
Well I'm not doing bad myself, hey friend don't you know
I'm doing pretty well in my own right, thank you very much
I play guitar and I sing my songs in the sunshine
I perform music and enjoy the outdoors
Captain and Cokes and barroom jokes keep me feeling fine
I enjoy drinking and socializing with others in a relaxed environment
And there's always a stage and a beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
I have opportunities to perform and attract female attention
In my simple way, guess you can say I'm living in the big time
Even though I don't lead a lavish lifestyle, I feel like I'm living the high life in my own way
I know I'll probably never make a million bucks
I don't expect to become extremely wealthy
But savings accounts and the IRS never worry me much
I don't stress too much about financial planning and taxes
I don't need that stuff 'cause
Material possessions aren't necessary for my happiness
I've got friends like you
Having good relationships with people like you is more important to me
To buy me drinks, have boats and planes that I can use
My friends are generous and provide me with experiences I wouldn't be able to have otherwise
I know you're really living in that house up on the hill
I'm aware that you may have more upscale living arrangements than I do
So if you feel like giving, friend I've got a jar to fill
If you're feeling generous, I wouldn't mind receiving a tip
I'm having the time of my life
I'm thoroughly enjoying my existence
No worries on my mind
I don't have any major concerns
Everything's just fine
My life is going smoothly
Today is even better than yesterday
My life keeps getting better
Everything is going my way
Things are working out in my favor
I'm living the big time
I feel like I'm living a grand and satisfying life
And there's always a stage and beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
I continue to have opportunities to perform and attract female attention
In my simple way guess you could say
In my own straightforward manner
I'm living in the big time
I feel like I'm living a grand and satisfying life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GABRIEL STEVE LOPEZ, JIMMY ANDREW RICHARD, JOSEPH MCINTYRE, BRENT PASCHKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind