Bobby Bare (born Robert Joseph Bare on April 7, 1935 in Ironton, Ohio) is a… Read Full Bio ↴Bobby Bare (born Robert Joseph Bare on April 7, 1935 in Ironton, Ohio) is an American country music singer and songwriter.

In the fifties after many failed attempts to sell his songs, he finally was signed up with Capitol Records and recorded a few rock and roll songs without much chart success. Just before he was drafted into the Army, he wrote a song called 'The All American Boy' and did a demo for his friend, Bill Parsons, to learn and record it. Instead of using the version Bill Parsons did later, the record company, Fraternity Records, decided to use the original demo done by Bobby Bare. The record reached number 2 on the Billboard Top 100, but it was wrongly credited to Bill Parsons.

His real big break came when RCA boss and guitarist Chet Atkins signed him to the RCA label. The first song he released on this label, 'Shame On Me', sold nearly a million copies and pushed Bobby Bare to fame overnight. His second RCA release, 'Detroit City' won him a Grammy for the best song of the year. Then a surge of hits followed, including '500 Miles Away From Home', 'Four Strong Winds' and others. He has also recorded two very successful albums with Skeeter Davis and has also dueted with Lacy J. Dalton and Rosanne Cash and additionally had a major hit as part of a trio with Norma Jean (singer) and Liz Anderson in 1967 titled 'The Game of Triangles'.

He moved to Mercury label in 1970 and had two big hits from early Kris Kristofferson compositions, 'Come Sundown' and 'Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends' before returning to RCA label where he produced his own records. Later Bare moved to CBS label and in 1979, he helped establish Rosanne Cash's career by singing with her on "No Memories Hangin' Round". Bare's singles for Columbia Records included 'The Jogger', 'Tequila Sheila', 'Gotta Get Rid Of This Band', 'When Hippies Get Older' and 'Numbers'. He later recorded for EMI with little success.

Bobby Bare is a versatile singer, and in the 70s started to release novelty songs recorded live with selected audiences. One of such songs, 'Marie Laveau' about a witch, reached the number one position on the country chart. This song was written by his friend, a very talented song writer, poet, author and cartoonist Shel Silverstein. He also penned many other songs for Bobby Bare including a Grammy nominated hit called 'Daddy What If' which he recorded with his five year old son, Bobby Bare Jr, who later became a star on his own. Bobby Bare later recorded a very successful album with his family and penned mainly by Shel called 'Singing in The Kitchen'. It was nominated for best group category in Grammy Awards but was declined by Bobby himself.

He later took chances recording strange, controversial material as 'Dropkick Me Jesus (Through The Goalposts Of Life)' (a 1976 Grammy nominee) and the expletive-driven 'Redneck Hippie Romance' with much success.

Bobby Bare is also the first to come up with a concept album called 'Bird Named Yesterday' which was very successful. His most successful concept album is 'Lullaby Legends and Lies'.

Bobby Bare was also given an opportunity to star in the movies. He did a Western with Troy Donahue called A Distant Trumpet, and a few episodes of a TV series called No Time for Sergeants. He turned his back on Hollywood to pursue his career in Country Music.

In 1998 he formed the band Old Dogs together with his friends Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and Waylon Jennings.

In addition to the above, Bobby Bare is credited for introducing Waylon Jennings to RCA. He is also one of the first to record from many well known song writers such as Jack Clement, Harlan Howard, Billy Joe Shaver, Mickey Newberry, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. He later had a TV series called 'Bobby Bare & Friends, A Song Writer Showcase'. Recently, he has recorded a new album after over 20 years called 'The Moon Was Blue' produced by his son. His son, Bobby Bare, Jr., is also a musician.

Big Dupree
Bobby Bare Lyrics

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Hoddy Holly was a cajun in the town that I was raised in
She was something most amazin' to my inexperienced eyes
But the fact was clearly stated she and Big Dupree was mated
And a dreadful fate awaited anyone who touched his bride
Cause he said it loud and clear for all the town to hear
And he nailed it up for all the town to see
That the man who puts his hand upon the hand of Hoddy Holly
Will feel the heavy hand of Big Dupree

But that dangerous situation worked on my imagination
And passin' up temptation ain't the thing that I do best
And you know the way things happened one night Dupree was out trappin'
And I spent the evening nappin' with her head upon my chest
Then the roar come from a door six foot four maybe more
He stood standin' there and starin' right at me
He said boy you put your hand upon the hand of Hoddy Holly
Now you'll feel the heavy hand of Big Dupree
Then crazed by ragin' passion he come dashin' smashin' crashin'
And I felt his blade come slashin' through my shrieks and screams and groans
And there just ain't nothin' worse than what he done to my person
And I spend these evenings a cursin' him in slightly higher tones

Cause he said it loud and clear...
I felt the heavy hand of Big Dupree ooh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bobby Bare's song "Big Dupree" are about the singer's dangerous attraction to the woman Hoddy Holly, who is already in a relationship with Big Dupree. Despite being aware of the consequences of getting involved with her, the singer cannot resist his temptation and spends a night with her while Dupree is away. When Dupree returns and discovers the affair, he brutally attacks the singer with a blade, leaving him injured and cursing his fate. The song delves into the theme of infidelity and its dire consequences, as well as the dangers of obsession and desire.

The lyrics convey both the singer's fear of Big Dupree's wrath and his reckless passion for Hoddy Holly. The line "Passin' up temptation ain't the thing that I do best" highlights his weakness and vulnerability, while the image of Dupree's blade "slashin' through my shrieks and screams and groans" is vivid and disturbing. The song's refrain, "Now you'll feel the heavy hand of Big Dupree," serves as a warning and a reminder of the dangers of crossing the line.

Line by Line Meaning

Hoddy Holly was a cajun in the town that I was raised in
Hoddy Holly hailed from the same place as me and was Cajun.

She was something most amazin' to my inexperienced eyes
I found Hoddy Holly to be beautiful and fascinating, but I was inexperienced.

But the fact was clearly stated she and Big Dupree was mated
However, it was well known that Hoddy Holly was with and committed to Big Dupree.

And a dreadful fate awaited anyone who touched his bride
Any person who dared to touch Hoddy Holly, Big Dupree's partner, would suffer severe consequences.

Cause he said it loud and clear for all the town to hear
Big Dupree proclaimed his intentions loudly for everyone in the town to know.

And he nailed it up for all the town to see
He even posted a notice for all to see as a warning.

That the man who puts his hand upon the hand of Hoddy Holly
Anyone who tried to hold or touch Hoddy Holly would face wrath.

Will feel the heavy hand of Big Dupree
Big Dupree would punish such a person severely.

But that dangerous situation worked on my imagination
The risky scenario intrigued me.

And passin' up temptation ain't the thing that I do best
I struggled with ignoring the temptation.

And you know the way things happened one night Dupree was out trappin'
One night when Big Dupree was away, something happened.

And I spent the evening nappin' with her head upon my chest
Hoddy Holly and I spent the night together with her head on my chest.

Then the roar come from a door six foot four maybe more
But then, a loud noise came from the door, and Big Dupree, who was over six feet tall, entered.

He stood standin' there and starin' right at me
He looked straight at me, standing nearby.

He said boy you put your hand upon the hand of Hoddy Holly
Big Dupree was furious that I touched his partner, Hoddy Holly.

Now you'll feel the heavy hand of Big Dupree
I was warned of the impending punishment.

Then crazed by ragin' passion he come dashin' smashin' crashin'
Big Dupree was overwhelmed by anger and attacked me violently.

And I felt his blade come slashin' through my shrieks and screams and groans
I felt his weapon as he cut through me while I screamed and groaned in agony.

And there just ain't nothin' worse than what he done to my person
It was the worst thing anyone could ever do to another person.

And I spend these evenings a cursin' him in slightly higher tones
I still resent him and curse him every now and then.

Cause he said it loud and clear...
The warning was clear and loud.

I felt the heavy hand of Big Dupree ooh
And I experienced the severe punishment of Big Dupree.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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