Big Boss Man
Bobbie Gentry Lyrics
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Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Can't you hear me when I call?
Well you ain't so big, you know you're just tall that's all, All right
Well you got me workin' boss man
Workin' round the clock
I wanna little drink of water
Big boss man now can't you hear me when I call? All right
I said you ain't so big, you know you're just tall that's all
Big boss man, why can't you hear me when I call? All right
You know you ain't so big, I said you're just tall that's all, All right
I'm gonna get me a boss man
One who's gonna treat me right
I work hard in the day time
Rest easy at night
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call? Can't you hear me when I
call?
I said you ain't so big, you're just tall that's all
I'm gonna get me a boss man
One that's gonna treat me right
I work hard in the evenin'
Rest easy at night
Big boss man, big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
I said you ain't so big, you're just tall that's all
All right, big boss man
It's all right
The song "Big Boss Man" by Bobbie Gentry is about the frustrations of being an employee to a demanding boss and the desire to find a better employer. The lyrics describe a worker's plea to the boss to listen to his requests for a break, specifically for a drink of water, but the big boss man refuses to let him stop. The chorus repeats the inquiry to the boss to hear his plea, reminding the boss that he may be tall, but he is not all-powerful. The workers' growing frustration leads to vows to find a better boss who will treat him right and allow him to rest after a hard day's work.
The song's repetitive nature and simplistic lyrics make the message clear and relatable to anyone who has worked a demanding job under an unsympathetic boss. "Big Boss Man" is a worker's anthem, and Gentry's emotive voice brings the message to life with perfect pitch and tone. Anyone who has felt like quitting their job will resonate with the song's message, and the need to be respected and appreciated as an employee.
Line by Line Meaning
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is asking the big boss man if he can hear her calling for attention.
Can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is reiterating her request for the big boss man to hear her.
Well you ain't so big, you know you're just tall that's all, All right
The singer is downplaying the big boss man's power, indicating that his height is the only thing notable about him.
Well you got me workin' boss man
The artist is acknowledging that she's working under the big boss man's control.
Workin' round the clock
The artist is emphasizing that she's working long hours, possibly without rest.
I wanna little drink of water
The singer is expressing a basic human need that should be fulfilled even while working.
But you won't let big Al stop
The big boss man is not allowing anyone to take a break even for a basic thing like water.
Big boss man now can't you hear me when I call? All right
The artist is repeating her request for attention from the big boss man.
Big boss man, why can't you hear me when I call? All right
The artist is frustrated at the fact that her request for attention is being ignored.
You know you ain't so big, I said you're just tall that's all, All right
The artist reiterates that the big boss man's height is not a true marker of his power.
I'm gonna get me a boss man
The singer is expressing her desire to find a better employer.
One who's gonna treat me right
The artist wants an employer who will treat her fairly and with dignity.
I work hard in the day time
The singer asserts that she is a dedicated worker.
Rest easy at night
The singer wants to have peace of mind at night knowing that she is working for a fair and just employer.
Big boss man, big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is repeating her plea for attention from the big boss man.
All right, big boss man
The artist is ending the song on a sarcastic note, indicating that she's not hopeful of things changing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dixon Luther, Al Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind