Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a contemporary swing band from Southern California.… Read Full Bio ↴Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a contemporary swing band from Southern California. Their notable singles include "Go Daddy-O" and "You and Me and the Bottle Makes Three Tonight". The band went from a regular Wednesday night gig at the Derby in Hollywood, playing for a few hundred people, to playing the Super Bowl XXXIII half-time show in 1999.

The band was originally formed in 1989 by leader Scott Morris. He and Kurt Sodergren are the two "original" members, with the rest of the band joining later on. The band concentrated on the swing of the 1940s and '50s, playing clubs and lounges in their early years.

The band launched two CDs, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Watchu' Want for Christmas? under their own label (Big Bad Records) before getting their big break when their songs "You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three Tonight (Baby)" and "Go Daddy-O" were featured in the 1996 comedy Swingers.

From there they were signed by Capitol Records. With Capitol the band released Americana Deluxe (also known as a second Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) and This Beautiful Life. The band has continued their tours, performances and album releases Save My Soul, Live, and Everything You Want For Christmas, with one high point being their appearance at the 1999 Super Bowl half-time show.

Over the last few years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has experienced great success playing on the Pops programs of American Symphony Orchestras and regular US tours.

Most recently, BBVD released a tribute album titled How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway. As part of the live concerts promoting this recent album, the band continues to perform new material, including the track "5-10-15 Times I Love You" which frontman Scotty Morris says will be recorded as part of a new album in early 2011.

Band Members:
* Scott Morris "Scotty" (vocals and guitar) - core member
* Kurt Sodergren (drums and percussion) - core member
* Dirk Shumaker (string bass) - core member
* Andrew Rowley "Andy" (baritone saxophone) - core member
* Glen Marehevka "The Kid" (trumpet) - core member
* Karl Hunter (saxophone and clarinet) - core member
* Joshua Levy "Josh" (piano) - core member
* Tony Bonsera (lead trumpet)
* Alex Henderson (trombone) (also part of The Brian Setzer Orchestra)

** Ron Blake (former lead trumpet) left Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to go on tour with Green Day.

Reefer Man
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Say, man
What's the matter with that cat over there?
I don't know, man, I think he's losin' his mind

Losin' his mind?
Yeah
I think he lost his mind

Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)
Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)

If he said he swam to China
Try to give you South Carolina
You know you're talkin' to that reefer man
(Reefer man)

Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)
Have you ever met a funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)

If he said he walk the ocean
Anytime he take the notion
You know, you're talkin' to the reefer man
That's right

Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)
Oh baby, baby, baby, reefer man
(Reefer man)

If he trades you dimes for nickels
Calls watermelons pickles
You know you're talkin' to that reefer man
(Reefer man)

Have you ever met a funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)
Have you ever met a funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)

If he gets a sudden mania
Tries to give you Pennsylvania
You know you're talkin' to that reefer man
Oh

Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
(Reefer man)
Oh baby, baby, baby, reefer man
(Reefer man)

If he said one sweet is funny
And will last and taste like honey
You know you're talkin' to that reefer man

Ah, there he goes

There goes that crazy reefer man
Reefer man

Overall Meaning

The song "Reefer Man" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a playful nod to the drug culture of the past. It opens with a dialogue between two people, one of whom assumes that the other one is losing his mind. The response is that he could be right since he has been in the company of the "reefer man." The chorus narrates the strange things that the "reefer man" says and does when he is high.

The singer then goes on to ask if the listener has ever met the "funny reefer man," who claims to have swum to China and can give you South Carolina. He even claims that he can walk on water anytime he takes the notion to do so. The chorus repeats itself with each line to emphasize the main topic of the song, the "quirks" of the "reefer man." The song continues to relay the strange things the "reefer man" says or does, such as trying to trade dimes for nickels, calling watermelons pickles, and even trying to give you Pennsylvania.

The song can be interpreted as a tongue-in-cheek way to poke fun at drug culture, as well as a testament to the mystique surrounding drug use in the past. The song is a jazz-inspired swing tune with a rhythm that compels the listener to dance. It is a fun and playful song that leaves the listener humming the tune long after it has ended.

Line by Line Meaning

Say, man
Hey buddy

What's the matter with that cat over there?
Is something wrong with that person?

I don't know, man, I think he's losin' his mind
I'm not sure, but he might be going crazy

Losin' his mind?
Going crazy?

Yeah
Yes

I think he lost his mind
I think he's really crazy

Have you ever met that funny reefer man?
Have you met that strange guy who smokes marijuana?

(Reefer man)
(Marijuana smoker)

If he said he swam to China
If he claimed to have swum to China

Try to give you South Carolina
And then tried to convince you it was South Carolina

You know you're talkin' to that reefer man
Then he's definitely a marijuana smoker