Bob first gained regional sucess following Elvis' departure as a regular from "The Louisanna Hayride" in 1956. His "Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache" did quite well receiving good radio play in the South. The girls at The Hayride screamed like they had for Elvis!
Early and Classic Bob Luman tracks were backed by the Mac Curtis band. 'Stranger than fiction', 'You're the cause of it all'
The smooth baritone was best-known in non-country circles for his crossover hit, "Let's Think About Living," a novelty song that hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #9 on the Billboard country chart in 1960. The Everly Brothers backed Luman on the record with their distinct acoustic guitar playing!
Luman was, however, well-known in the country music world. His 1972 hit, "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers," became his biggest country hit, hitting #4 on the country chart.(Steve Wariner, who had earlier been a member of Luman's band, later covered the song in the 1984, and he, too, took it to #4 on the country charts.)
Luman's other country hits included "Ain't Got Time To Be Unhappy" (1968), "When You Say Love" (1972), "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)" (1973), "Still Loving You" (1974), "Proud Of You Baby" (1975), and "The Pay Phone" (1977).
Luman died of pneumonia in 1978, at the age of 41.
The Great Snowman
Bob Luman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who really snowed the girls and left them cold
And gained the title on the Great Snowman
I remember the day when the snow melted away
And the great snowman was wed
He said yes I do and little Linda siad it too
And the Great Snowman was wed
Now Jimmy Jones was the snowman's name
He put all the other local lovers to shame
He had good looks and a big fine car
And he went around breaking all the girlies' hearts
Until one day the Great Snowman found
Linda Lou started melting him down
He bought the ring and they set the day
And the Great Snowman started melting away
I remember the day...
Now the Great Snowman and his loving spouse
Lived in the little subdivision house
They've got six kids and his mother in law
And expecting another kiddie in the fall
His old Cadillac needs a paint retouched
It's full of baby diaper and bottles and such
The Great Snowman has outgrown
All his flashy cuddy clothes
I remember the day...
The Great Snowman by Bob Luman tells the tale of a man named Jimmy Jones, who was known as the Great Snowman because of his ability to charm women but also leave them cold. He was a lover who had good looks, a great car, and broke many hearts. Then, he met Linda Lou who began to melt his heart. He fell in love with her and they got married. It was a happy day for the Great Snowman, but it was also the day his heart began to melt.
Before getting married, the Great Snowman lived a wild and flashy life. He had many conquests and was admired by many women. However, he found true love in Linda Lou, and they eventually settled down and started a family. The Great Snowman put aside his flashy clothes, and the couple had children, with another one on the way. They moved into a modest home, and the Great Snowman's old car was filled with baby supplies instead of women.
The Great Snowman is a cautionary tale about how love can change a person. Jimmy Jones went from being a player to a devoted husband and father. He left his old life behind and started a new one with Linda Lou. The lyrics show that love can change people in fundamental ways, and that is what happened to the Great Snowman.
Line by Line Meaning
A few years ago there lived a lover by the name of Jimmy Jones
There was a man named Jimmy Jones who was known for being quite the ladies' man.
Who really snowed the girls and left them cold
Jimmy Jones was very charming, but he often led women on and then left them feeling rejected and hurt.
And gained the title on the Great Snowman
He became known as the Great Snowman because of his cold-hearted treatment of women.
I remember the day when the snow melted away
The artist recalls a specific day when winter ended and spring began.
And the great snowman was wed
On that day, Jimmy Jones (the Great Snowman) got married.
He said yes I do and little Linda said it too
During the wedding ceremony, both Jimmy Jones and his bride, Linda, said their vows.
And the Great Snowman was wed
Jimmy Jones, the Great Snowman, officially became a married man.
Now Jimmy Jones was the snowman's name
The Great Snowman's real name was Jimmy Jones.
He put all the other local lovers to shame
Jimmy Jones was considered the best of all the local men who pursued women.
He had good looks and a big fine car
Jimmy Jones was attractive and drove a nice car, making him very popular with women.
And he went around breaking all the girlies' hearts
However, he also had a reputation for hurting women emotionally.
Until one day the Great Snowman found
One day, Jimmy Jones met a woman named Linda Lou.
Linda Lou started melting him down
Linda Lou was able to break through Jimmy Jones' tough exterior and win his heart.
He bought the ring and they set the day
Jimmy Jones proposed to Linda Lou and they set a wedding date.
And the Great Snowman started melting away
Jimmy Jones, the Great Snowman, began to change and become a better person because of his love for Linda Lou.
Now the Great Snowman and his loving spouse
Jimmy Jones and Linda Lou were happily married.
Lived in the little subdivision house
They lived in a small house in a suburban neighborhood.
They've got six kids and his mother in law
The couple had six children and Jimmy Jones' mother-in-law also lived with them.
And expecting another kiddie in the fall
Linda Lou was pregnant with another child who was due in the fall.
His old Cadillac needs a paint retouched
Jimmy Jones' car was in need of some cosmetic repairs.
It's full of baby diaper and bottles and such
The car was also filled with baby supplies like diapers and bottles.
The Great Snowman has outgrown
Jimmy Jones, who used to be known as the Great Snowman, has grown up and become more responsible.
All his flashy cuddy clothes
He no longer wears flashy, showy clothes that he used to wear to impress women.
I remember the day...
The artist ends the song reflecting on the day when everything changed for the Great Snowman, Jimmy Jones.
Contributed by Joseph H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wayne Pickle
A few years ago there lived a lover by the name of Jimmy Jones
Who really snowed the girls and left them cold
And gained the title on the Great Snowman
I remember the day when the snow melted away
And the great snowman was wed
He said yes I do and little Linda said it too
And the Great Snowman was wed
Now Jimmy Jones was the snowman's name
He put all the other local lovers to shame
He had good looks and a big fine car
And he went around breaking all the girlies' hearts
Until one day the Great Snowman found
Linda Lou started melting him down
He bought the ring and they set the day
And the Great Snowman started melting away
I remember the day...
Now the Great Snowman and his loving spouse
Lived in the little subdivision house
They've got six kids and his mother in law
And expecting another kiddie in the fall
His old Cadillac needs a paint retouched
It's full of baby diaper and bottles and such
The Great Snowman has outgrown
All his flashy catty clothes
I remember the day...
tamati kaiwai Reid
sung this song many times at parties,love it
wiksang
Remeber "those days" when this song was popular. Bob was one of my favourite singer. But time will change. Though, I still like to listened to the great snowman again. One of the best.
Ken Coats
Thanks for putting this one up. Haven't heard in over 45 yrs. One of the greats.
timmersdala
Thanks for sharing this! I'm a Luman fan since childhood due to the fact that my older brother bought all the records;-)
janet klimpel
Thank you so much, one of my favourites. Haven't heard it for decades.
elmer zu
This songs has always hit home with me when it comes to doowop. It has a unique story behind it tied in with a terrific beat other than that I don't know why I want to hear it again, and yet I just have too. I know it wasn't all that big a hit to us schoolkids, we got off on "Private Eye" more...at least I did!. Anyway as long as it's there for me on yotube, I.m sure I'll find it in my heart to play it again and again. A big thx coming from Vancouver Cda where we don't make many snowmen!
shrewsfan123
Bob had a great voice.
Wayne Pickle
A few years ago there lived a lover by the name of Jimmy Jones
Who really snowed the girls and left them cold
And gained the title on the Great Snowman
I remember the day when the snow melted away
And the great snowman was wed
He said yes I do and little Linda said it too
And the Great Snowman was wed
Now Jimmy Jones was the snowman's name
He put all the other local lovers to shame
He had good looks and a big fine car
And he went around breaking all the girlies' hearts
Until one day the Great Snowman found
Linda Lou started melting him down
He bought the ring and they set the day
And the Great Snowman started melting away
I remember the day...
Now the Great Snowman and his loving spouse
Lived in the little subdivision house
They've got six kids and his mother in law
And expecting another kiddie in the fall
His old Cadillac needs a paint retouched
It's full of baby diaper and bottles and such
The Great Snowman has outgrown
All his flashy catty clothes
I remember the day...
Erika Mccubbin
Great song years back!!! 💛
Maj-Brith H
Great version of the original!