Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
Big Bass Man
Elvis Presley 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 want to little drink of water
But you won't let big Al stop
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
Big boss man
The lyrics of "Big Boss Man" by Elvis Presley speak to an underling's frustration with an authoritarian figure who seems out of touch with their needs. The singer pleads with the boss to acknowledge their presence and hear their calls for attention. However, the boss is preoccupied with making the singer work tirelessly, even when they need a drink of water. The singer compares the boss's stature to their actual perceived importance, insisting that the boss is only tall and not as big as they seem.
The chorus repeats the refrain "big boss man," adding emphasis to the song's central theme. The singer's final statement reveals their intention to find a "boss man" who will treat them fairly and allow for adequate rest. Overall, the lyrics convey a common sentiment of powerlessness in the workplace and the desire for better treatment and recognition.
Line by Line Meaning
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is asking for the boss's attention.
Can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is emphasizing the fact that the boss is not listening to him.
Well you ain't so big, you know you're just tall that's all, All right
The singer is telling the boss that his height doesn't make him superior.
Well you got me workin' boss man
The artist is acknowledging that he is working for the boss.
Workin' round the clock
The artist is working tirelessly for the boss.
I want to little drink of water
The singer is expressing his need for a break or rest.
But you won't let big Al stop
The boss is not allowing the singer to take a break.
Big boss man now can't you hear me when I call? All right
The artist continues to ask for the boss's attention, hoping for a response.
Big boss man, why can't you hear me when I call? All right
The artist is getting frustrated that the boss is not listening to him.
I'm gonna get me a boss man
The artist is planning to find another boss.
One who's gonna treat me right
The singer desires a boss that treats him well and with respect.
I work hard in the day time
The artist is dedicating his time and effort to work for the boss during the day.
Rest easy at night
The singer wants to have a peaceful rest after working during the day.
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is still asking for the boss's attention and hoping for a response.
I said you ain't so big, you know you're just tall that's all
The singer is reminding the boss again that his height doesn't make him superior.
All right, big boss man
The artist is calling out to the boss.
Big boss man
The artist is referring to the boss.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dixon Luther, Al Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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