After earning a veterinary medicine degree at Auburn University, Dr. Elmo was a veterinarian at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga racetracks in New York. He later moved to San Francisco's Bay Area to open his own animal hospital and while moonlighting playing festivals and clubs in a bluegrass band.
In 1979, he introduced 'Grandma' on a San Francisco radio station. It quickly became a regional hit. Dr. Elmo began playing more holiday gigs around town to support the single. When an activist group, The Gray Panthers, accused him of playing 'ageist music' and showed up to picket one of his shows, the media came out in force, drawing the attention of major labels.
In 1983, MTV began airing the self financed video. A year later Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer album appeared on Epic and a new 'Grandma' single was released, this time with 'Percy, the Puny Poinsettia' as the B-side.
Dr. Elmo released Twisted Tunes in 1991. Numerous holiday albums would follow, with Dr. Elmo releasing his own Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer album in 2002 on SonyBMG. Dr. Elmo added a Halloween hit to his repertoire in 2006 with the title track to his Redneck Dracula album. In 2007 he released Redneck Santa, in 2009 he released Wild Bluegrass with his band Dr. Elmo & Wild Blue. In 2010 Time Life releases Dr. Elmo's Bluegrass Christmas . Most of Dr. Elmo's songs are co-written by Rita Abrams. Pop historians might remember Rita as the Miss Abrams in Miss Abrams and the Strawberry Point 4th Grade Class, the act behind the 1972 hit 'Mill Valley.'
Dr. Elmo currently tours with his bluegrass band, Wild Blue and each holiday season he conducts a media and concert tour in conjunction with the "Grandma" song.
Big Jolly Man
Dr. Elmo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even you don't know what you're talkin bout
Those who listen are growing more few
Look around there's no one left but you
Your life is shaped by people around you
What they do, what they say affects you
Every day
There's no such thing as loyalty any more
There's no such thing as honesty any more
You're burning the bridges before they've been crossed
But, you just destroy no matter how much it costs
You're not as smart as you seem to think
Someone should tell you that your shit stinks
You live in pain, but your torture is self inflicted
You can't admit that your thoughts are contradicted
The road leads to self destruction
Innocence lost a victim of abduction
Arrogance and single mindedness won't win any friends
Just losing respect you might have had at one time
Every one is using everyone else
It's just the scheme of things
Your life is shaped by people around you
What they do, what they say affects you
Every day
There's no such thing as loyalty any more
There's no such thing as honesty any more
There's no such thing as loyalty any more
There's no such thing as honesty any more
The song "Big Jolly Man" by Dr. Elmo sheds light on the theme of disillusionment and the erosion of values in society. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disappointment with the world and the people within it.
The first verse introduces the idea that the person being addressed speaks nonsensically, unaware of what they are talking about. It suggests that the listener's audience is dwindling, and they are left isolated and alone. This could be interpreted as a critique of individuals who fail to communicate effectively or convey meaningful ideas.
The second verse highlights the influence of others on one's life. It suggests that the actions and words of people around us shape who we become and affect us on a daily basis. However, there is a cynical tone, implying that these influences may not always be positive or genuine.
The lyrics "There's no such thing as loyalty anymore, there's no such thing as honesty anymore" reflect a loss of faith in traditional values like loyalty and honesty. It conveys a sentiment that these qualities have become rare in contemporary society, pointing towards a general deterioration in trust and integrity.
The following lines emphasize a self-destructive nature in the person being addressed. They are depicted as someone who continuously burns bridges and destroys relationships without considering the consequences. There is a suggestion of arrogance and a lack of self-awareness, signified by the line "someone should tell you that your shit stinks." This highlights a potential delusion of superiority or entitlement.
The final repetition of "There's no such thing as loyalty anymore, there's no such thing as honesty anymore" further emphasizes the disillusionment with societal values. It suggests that the lack of loyalty and honesty mentioned earlier is a pervasive issue that affects everyone. The line "Everyone is using everyone else, it's just the scheme of things" further underscores a sense of disillusionment and resignation, implying that exploitation has become a norm in interpersonal relationships.
Overall, "Big Jolly Man" presents a somber commentary on the erosion of trust, integrity, and meaningful connection in contemporary society. It captures a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the world and highlights the negative effects of cynicism and self-destructive behaviors.
Line by Line Meaning
When you talk, nonsense flows from your mouth
Your words are meaningless and lack coherence
Even you don't know what you're talkin bout
You don't have a clear understanding of the topics you discuss
Those who listen are growing more few
The number of people who pay attention to you is decreasing
Look around there's no one left but you
You are isolated and alone
Your life is shaped by people around you
The actions and words of those around you influence your life
What they do, what they say affects you
The behavior and words of others have an impact on you
There's no such thing as loyalty any more
The concept of loyalty is nonexistent in today's world
There's no such thing as honesty any more
The idea of honesty is no longer present
You're burning the bridges before they've been crossed
You are ruining relationships before even giving them a chance
But, you just destroy no matter how much it costs
You cause destruction without considering the consequences
You're not as smart as you seem to think
Your perception of your intelligence is overestimated
Someone should tell you that your shit stinks
You need someone to inform you of your flaws and shortcomings
You live in pain, but your torture is self inflicted
Your suffering is a result of your own actions and choices
You can't admit that your thoughts are contradicted
You refuse to acknowledge the inconsistencies in your thinking
The road leads to self destruction
Your actions will ultimately lead to your own downfall
Innocence lost a victim of abduction
Your innocence has been taken away, victimized by external influences
Arrogance and single mindedness won't win any friends
Being arrogant and narrow-minded will not gain you any friends
Just losing respect you might have had at one time
You are gradually losing the respect you once had
Every one is using everyone else
People are constantly taking advantage of each other
It's just the scheme of things
This is simply how things operate
There's no such thing as loyalty any more
The concept of loyalty is nonexistent in today's world
There's no such thing as honesty any more
The idea of honesty is no longer present
There's no such thing as loyalty any more
The concept of loyalty is nonexistent in today's world
There's no such thing as honesty any more
The idea of honesty is no longer present
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Andrew McKenzie, JR Halliday, Steven Mahoney, Troy Gassaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind