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 Boss 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
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
Big boss man
The song "Big Boss Man" by Elvis Presley is a commentary on the power imbalance between workers and their supervisors. The lyrics depict the singer’s frustration with their boss, who is described as not listening to their requests or treating them fairly. The repeated refrain “can’t you hear me when I call” highlights the lack of communication between the two parties and the singer’s feeling of being ignored.
The line “you ain’t so big, you know you’re just tall that’s all” is an important one, because it suggests that the boss’s perceived power is just an illusion. This line also highlights the singer’s desire to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their boss’s stature.
The final verse of the song presents a solution to this power imbalance: the singer plans to find a boss who will treat them better. This shows that the singer is not content with their current situation and is willing to take action to improve it.
Overall, “Big Boss Man” is a song that speaks to the universal experience of feeling powerless in the face of authority. It encourages listeners to demand respect and fairness from their supervisors, and to take action to find better employment if necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is requesting the attention of his boss and questioning whether the boss is actually listening.
Can't you hear me when I call?
The singer is asking the question again, pointing out his boss's lack of response.
Well you ain't so big, you know you're just tall that's all, All right
The singer is revealing that he doesn't believe his boss is as high and mighty as he thinks he is - he's just tall in stature.
Well you got me workin' boss man
The singer acknowledges that his boss has him working.
Workin' round the clock
The singer emphasizes that he is working constantly, without breaks or time off.
I want to little drink of water
The singer expresses his need for a bit of water, which is important for his health and well-being.
But you won't let big Al stop
The singer is calling out his boss for preventing him from taking a necessary break to drink water, emphasizing the boss's lack of concern for his employees. 'Big Al' may refer to one of the singer's colleagues.
Big boss man now can't you hear me when I call? All right
The singer reiterates his message that his boss is not listening to him, and he wants to be heard.
Big boss man, why can't you hear me when I call? All right
The singer continues to question his boss's inattention to his needs, repeating the same line in a slightly different way.
I'm gonna get me a boss man
The singer declares his intention to find himself a better boss.
One who's gonna treat me right
The singer voices his desire for a boss who treats him with respect and empathy.
I work hard in the day time
The singer emphasizes that he puts in a lot of effort and dedication during work hours.
Rest easy at night
The singer believes that he deserves to be able to relax and rest after a hard, productive day at work.
Big boss man, big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
The singer repeats his plea, hoping to catch his boss's attention.
I said you ain't so big, you're just tall that's all
The singer reiterates his belief that his boss is not as powerful or important as he thinks he is and emphasizing the boss's lack of perspective.
All right, big boss man
The singer wraps up the song by addressing his boss directly with a sense of finality.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dixon Luther, Al Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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