Born John Marshall Greer in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States, he was a friend of Henry Glover from childhood, and both attended college at Alabama A&M together. Glover was playing in Lucky Millinder's band when Bull Moose Jackson left the group in 1948; Glover suggested that Greer be chosen as Jackson's replacement. Greer played with Bob Shad and appeared on Millinder's RCA recordings until 1950, when Millinder signed to King Records. Greer stayed with RCA and played with Wynonie Harris and Jackson among others. He sang lead vocals on his biggest hit, 1952's "Got You On My Mind". In 1954 he switched to Groove Records, but did not make much impact on the American record charts there. In October of that year, he released "We Want To See Santa Do The Mambo", a Christmas hit to this day. In 1955, he finally signed with King, but only recorded for them for about a year. Greer also worked with Hal Singer and Bill Doggett.
By 1957, Greer had developed extended troubles with alcoholism, and he moved back to his home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he died in 1972 at age 48.
Come Back
Big John Greer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
You ain't treating me like the way you used to do
Well I caught maybelline on top of the hill
Opened the door, of a coup de ville
? jumped right in
She looked at me with a devil grin
I'm riding home in my cadillac
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
You ain't treating me like the way you used to do
I opened my mouth to tell her more
She jumped in the caddy and slammed the door
? zoom going down the hill
Leaving my ? no standing still
Cadillac move right out of sight
I couldn't even see her red tail light
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
You ain't treating me like the way you used to do
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
Maybelline, what's wrong with you
You ain't treating me like the way you used to do
Well my motors got hot, tyres got hot
Giving my V8 all it's got
Chased maybelline all over the town
The caddy just wore my old boy down
I never did catch that coup de ville
Maybelline is rolling still
Maybelline, what's wrong with you
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
You ain't treating me like the way you used to do
The lyrics to Big John Greer's song "Come Back Maybelline" tell the story of a man addressing his lover, Maybelline, who has seemingly changed her attitude towards him. In the first two lines of the song, the man asks Maybelline what's the matter with her and why she is not treating him the way she used to. It appears that Maybelline's behavior towards the man has altered, and he is questioning the reasons behind the change.
The song takes a turn as the man catches Maybelline on top of a hill, getting into a "coup de ville." As she drives away, she gives him a devilish grin and tells him to go back to his "V8 map," while she rides home in her Cadillac. The man is left confused and frustrated as he tries to understand what is happening with Maybelline. He then chases her all over town, but he is unable to catch up to her, and she continues driving away.
The song could be interpreted as a commentary on relationships and how people change over time. It may be that Maybelline has moved on from the man and is no longer interested in a relationship with him. Overall, the lyrics create a story of unrequited love and the frustration that can result from not getting what one desires from a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
Big John Greer addresses Maybelline, asking her what's wrong with her.
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
Big John Greer repeats his question, asking Maybelline once again what is wrong with her.
You ain't treating me like the way you used to do
Big John Greer expresses his disappointment in Maybelline's behavior towards him, stating that she is not treating him the way she used to.
Well I caught maybelline on top of the hill
Big John Greer recalls catching Maybelline at the top of a hill.
Opened the door, of a coup de ville
He then opened the door of a coup de ville.
? jumped right in
Someone, whose identity is unknown or unclear, jumped right into the car.
She looked at me with a devil grin
Maybelline looked at Big John Greer with a wicked smile.
Said you go back in that V8 map
Maybelline instructed Big John Greer to go back to his V8 map.
I'm riding home in my cadillac
She informed him that she was going to ride home in her cadillac.
I opened my mouth to tell her more
Big John Greer opened his mouth to say more to Maybelline.
She jumped in the caddy and slammed the door
Maybelline quickly got into the cadillac and shut the door.
? zoom going down the hill
The car quickly zoomed down the hill, at an unknown speed or in an unknown manner.
Leaving my ? no standing still
The action caused Big John Greer to be left in a state of uncertainty or unrest.
Cadillac move right out of sight
The cadillac moved out of sight very quickly.
I couldn't even see her red tail light
Big John Greer was unable to see the cadillac's red tail light, indicating that it was far ahead.
Well my motors got hot, tyres got hot
Big John Greer's car overheated and his tires also began to overheat.
Giving my V8 all it's got
He went all out, giving his V8 engine everything it had.
Chased maybelline all over the town
Big John Greer chased Maybelline all around the town.
The caddy just wore my old boy down
The cadillac eventually wore down Big John Greer's car and his will to keep chasing Maybelline.
I never did catch that coup de ville
Big John Greer admits that he was not able to catch the coup de ville.
Maybelline is rolling still
Maybelline is still driving around somewhere, as far as Big John Greer knows.
Maybelline, what's wrong with you
Having asked the same question earlier, Big John Greer now asks Maybelline once more what is wrong with her.
Maybelline, what's the matter with you
Finally, Big John Greer repeats his original question, asking Maybelline what is the matter with her.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: KIRKLAND, LEROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@biancabagnolet5948
c'est trop trop mimi c'est tellement géniale c'est magnifique j'adore 💖
@KelilahJudah
Sound just like like a legend. Love your music. Love you.
@Dickneeds
I have this 45 by Big John. It is on Groove 0119(1955). Of course it is an answer record of some kind to Chuck Berry. Never a hit but a good record.