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.
how big can you get
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Lyrics
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Can you get,
Can you get.
How big can you get,
Aren′t you big enough yet?
So why are you stretchin up taller than tall
For the bigger you get, the harder you fall
Oooh
Can you get
Can you get
You're gonna regret,
Yes, the richer you get
Remember the more that you′re achin to make
It's the dough you forget
The government takes
It's true, it′s true oh
What are you to do
You multiply
But you can′t take it with you when you die
How big can you get
Can you get
Can you get
The bigger you get, ooh, the more you upset
The more you upset
Makes the more that you fret
How big can you get
How big can you get
(Spoken)
Say jack you can never wear more than one suit at a time,
An' wearin′ one pair of shoes, that aint no crime,
Who d'ya wanna be bub?
Gugenheim?
A hotdog only costs that cada dime
If you′d rather be a Duke or Grand Marquis
Well you see the latest movies the same as he
They all listen to the radio an' all for free
I′m askin you, Bub
How big can you be?
How big can you get,
Can you get,
Can you get.
How big can you get,
Aren't you big enough yet?
So why are you stretchin up taller than tall
For the bigger you get, the harder you fall
Oooh
How rich can you get,
Can you get
Can you get
You're gonna regret,
Yes, the richer you get
Remember the more that you′re achin to make
It′s the dough you forget
The government takes
It's true, it′s true oh
What are you to do
You multiply
But you can't take it with you when you die
How big can you get
Can you get
Can you get
The bigger you get, ooh, the more you upset
The more you upset
Makes the more that you fret
How big can you get
How big can you get
The song "How Big Can You Get" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy explores the themes of greed, fame, and the quest for power. The song highlights how people get caught up in the pursuit of wealth and power, and how it can lead to dissatisfaction and anxiety. The repeated questioning of "How big can you get" questions the endless cycle of attempting to be bigger and better. The lyrics suggest that the more you have, the more you worry and the more you stand to lose. The verses explore the idea that you can't take wealth, possessions or material things with you when you die, so what is the point of accumulating so much of it?
In the spoken word part of the song, the singer suggests that all people are equal, no matter how much money they have or what position they hold in society. The final lyric, "How big can you get, aren't you big enough yet?" is a rhetorical question, suggesting that nothing is ever enough, and people can get lost in their quest for more.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the negative effects of greed and the eternal cycle of wanting more. It encourages listeners to reflect on the importance of appreciating the present moment and focusing on what truly matters.
Line by Line Meaning
How big can you get
What is the extent of how much success one can achieve?
Can you get
Is it possible to attain more success?
Aren't you big enough yet?
Have you not already achieved enough success?
So why are you stretchin up taller than tall
Why are you striving for even more success than what you have already accomplished?
For the bigger you get, the harder you fall
The more success you achieve, the greater the possibility of losing it all.
How rich can you get
What is the limit to how much wealth one can accumulate?
You're gonna regret,
You will have regrets in the future.
Yes, the richer you get
The more wealth you attain.
Remember the more that you're achin to make
If you always desire to make more money.
It's the dough you forget
You may forget about the value of money and what is truly important in life.
The government takes
A portion of your wealth will be taken through taxes.
What are you to do
What actions can you take?
You multiply
You increase the amount of success or wealth you currently have.
But you can't take it with you when you die
You can't bring your success or wealth to the afterlife.
The more you upset
The more success you achieve, the more likely you are to cause problems for yourself.
Makes the more that you fret
These issues will cause you to worry more.
Say jack you can never wear more than one suit at a time
You can only use or wear one thing at a time, so why accumulate so much?
An' wearin' one pair of shoes, that aint no crime
There is nothing wrong with only owning one pair of shoes.
Who d'ya wanna be bub?
Who are you trying to become?
Gugenheim?
Are you trying to become a successful businessman?
A hotdog only costs that cada dime
Sometimes the simple things in life are worth more than material possessions.
If you'd rather be a Duke or Grand Marquis
If you desire to be a wealthy and powerful person.
Well you see the latest movies the same as he
Even wealthy people enjoy the same entertainment as everyone else.
They all listen to the radio an' all for free
Listening to the radio is a free activity enjoyed by all, regardless of wealth.
I'm askin you, Bub
I'm asking you, my friend.
Writer(s): Cab Calloway
Contributed by Max E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.