He became the host of the popular Washington D.C. TV program Town and Country Time and, with his Texas Wildcats, became regional favorites. Both Patsy Cline and Roy Clark got their starts with Dean, who eventually fired Clark, his lead guitarist, for chronic tardiness. Patsy Cline and Dean were good friends during the run of the TV run of Town and Country Time in the mid-50s. He had his first hit, "Bummin' Around," in 1953 on the 4-Star label, which went Top 5, Country.
By 1958 he was recording for Columbia for whom he had a Pop (non-Country) hit with "Little Sandy Sleightfoot", a Christmas novelty number. Dean moved to New York in the 1950s where he hosted another TV variety show for CBS. He became best known internationally for his 1961 song "Big Bad John," recorded in Nashville, that went to No.1 on the Billboard charts and was a pop hit in the UK.. The song won Dean the 1962 Grammy for Best Country & Western Recording. He had several more Top 40 songs including a Top 10 in 1962 with "PT-109", a song in honor of PT-109 and John F. Kennedy. He followed that up with "Dear Ivan" which he wrote. It hit #9 Country and was also a Top 20 crossover success.
In 1959, he'd become the regular host of the CBS morning program. In the early 1960s he also hosted the Tonight Show on occasion and one night introduced Roy Clark, with whom he'd remained friendly, to a wider audience, helping advance Clark's career. In 1962 Dean also had a double sided hit with the recitation "To A Sleeping Beauty" coupled with "The Cajun Queen", harking back to "Big Bad John".
His mid-1960s ABC TV variety show was one of the first to present country artists with some dignity and class. Roger Miller, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Buck Owens and some like Joe Maphis, who seldom got any network TV exposure. He's also best remembered for his regular sketches with one of Jim Henson's long running muppets, Rowlf the Dog. Many guests, not remotely related to country music appeared on the show, as it was considered a solid entertainment program, and it offered the priceless "exposure" that is the food and drink to performers.
When the show ended, he began to dabble in acting in the late 1960s, with his best-known role being that of millionaire Willard Whyte in the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever. He also performed around the country. He was mentioned in the Madonna song "Vogue" and in the 2006 Def Leppard song "Rock On".
Jimmy Dean passed away on Sunday June 13th 2010 at home on the banks of the James River near Richmond, Virginia following a lengthy illness which had left him wheelchair bound. He was 81 years old. He is survived by his widow, Donna, and two granddaughters, Caroline and Brianna.
The Cajun Queen
Jimmy Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And said, "Boys, I'm Big John's Cajun Queen
Now, I didn't come here to argue or waste anybody's time
I just come to get my man from your dirty old mine
'Cause he moves me
Now where you give up's where old Queenie's gonna start
'Cause I got a powerful love in my heart
And tell the whole wide world Big John's been found
And he's livin'"
So down in the mine without a sign of a light
Old Queenie went a-lookin' for John that night
She found him there at the bottom of the pit
And placed a red-hot kiss on his cold blue lips
He started breathin' (aah)
She waited a minute and then she kissed him again
And old John got the power of a hundred men
Up he come a-clawin' and a-diggin' like a mole
And said, "come on Queenie, we're gonna leave this hole"
They started walkin'
Now a roar from the crowd greeted this fine pair
As they both walked out in that cool night air
And up for silence went Big John's hand
And the Queen said, "I told you I'd get my man
'Cause he moves me"
You can find them today, they're down in New Orleans
Big Bad John and his Cajun Queen
They're a little bit wrinkled from the strain of time
But their love's just as strong as that night in the mine
A hundred-and-ten grandchildren
Now the moral of this story has a real clear omen
Don't you ever underestimate the power of a woman
The Cajun Queen by Jimmy Dean tells the story of a strong-willed woman who travels to a small town in search of her man, John, who is working in a mine. She identifies herself as Big John's Cajun Queen and lets the locals know that she is not there to waste anyone's time. She just wants to go down into the mine and bring her man back up because he moves her. She is successful in finding John at the bottom of the pit, lifeless. She brings him back to life with her love, kissing him twice. John returns to life and together, they leave the mine, greeted by a cheering crowd.
The song is a story of love and the power of a woman's love. The Cajun Queen is depicted as a strong, confident, and determined woman who is not afraid to speak her mind and take action. She is able to revive John with her love, highlighting the strength of the love between two people.
The song also has a strong moral message, cautioning people not to underestimate the power of a woman. The Cajun Queen's love is portrayed as a formidable force that can overcome even death itself.
Line by Line Meaning
She kinda breezed into town from New Orleans
The Cajun Queen arrived in town effortlessly all the way from New Orleans
And said, "Boys, I'm Big John's Cajun Queen
The Cajun Queen introduced herself to the men, claiming to be Big John's partner
Now, I didn't come here to argue or waste anybody's time
The Cajun Queen explained that she didn't want to argue or waste anyone's time
I just come to get my man from your dirty old mine
The purpose of the Cajun Queen's visit was to retrieve Big John from the mine that the men worked at
'Cause he moves me
The Cajun Queen was motivated by her love for Big John
Now where you give up's where old Queenie's gonna start
The Cajun Queen was not deterred by challenges and was willing to push forward
'Cause I got a powerful love in my heart
Her love for Big John was strong and unwavering, and fueled her to keep going
So just show me the hole way down in the ground
The Cajun Queen requested that the men show her the way to the mine where Big John was trapped
And tell the whole wide world Big John's been found
The Cajun Queen wanted everyone to know that they found Big John in the mine
And he's livin'
Despite being trapped, Big John was alive
So down in the mine without a sign of a light
The Cajun Queen ventured deep into the mine in complete darkness
Old Queenie went a-lookin' for John that night
The Cajun Queen searched the mine for Big John that night
She found him there at the bottom of the pit
The Cajun Queen found Big John at the bottom of the mine
And placed a red-hot kiss on his cold blue lips
The Cajun Queen gave Big John a passionate kiss to revive him
He started breathin' (aah)
Big John began breathing again after being revived by the Cajun Queen's kiss
She waited a minute and then she kissed him again
The Cajun Queen gave Big John another kiss to make sure he was fully revived
And old John got the power of a hundred men
Big John was re-energized and his strength multiplied after being revived
Up he come a-clawin' and a-diggin' like a mole
Big John emerged from the mine, rapidly clawing and digging his way out
And said, "come on Queenie, we're gonna leave this hole"
Big John was ready to leave the mine, and invited the Cajun Queen to leave with him
They started walkin'
Big John and the Cajun Queen left the mine and began walking towards the town
Now a roar from the crowd greeted this fine pair
The townspeople cheered as they saw Big John and the Cajun Queen emerge from the mine
As they both walked out in that cool night air
Big John and the Cajun Queen emerged from the mine and were walking outside in the cool night air
And up for silence went Big John's hand
Big John raised his hand to signal for quiet
And the Queen said, "I told you I'd get my man
The Cajun Queen proudly declared that she successfully retrieved Big John
'Cause he moves me"
The Cajun Queen reiterated that her love for Big John was the motivation behind her efforts
You can find them today, they're down in New Orleans
Big John and the Cajun Queen currently reside in New Orleans
Big Bad John and his Cajun Queen
Big John and the Cajun Queen were affectionately known as Big Bad John and his Cajun Queen
They're a little bit wrinkled from the strain of time
Big John and the Cajun Queen have aged with time
But their love's just as strong as that night in the mine
Despite the years that have passed, Big John and the Cajun Queen's love is just as strong as when they were reunited in the mine
A hundred-and-ten grandchildren
Big John and the Cajun Queen had a large family, with 110 grandchildren
Now the moral of this story has a real clear omen
The lesson to be learned from this story is very apparent
Don't you ever underestimate the power of a woman
This story serves as a reminder to never underestimate the strength and power of a woman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WAYNE P. WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam Davidson
She kinda breezed into town from New Orleans
And said, "Boys, I'm Big John's Cajun Queen
Now, I didn't come here to argue or waste anybody's time
I just come to get my man from your dirty old mine
'Cause he moves me
Now where you give up's where old Queenie's gonna start
'Cause I got a powerful love in my heart
So just show me the hole way down in the ground
And tell the whole wide world Big John's been found
And he's livin'"
So down in the mine without a sign of a light
Old Queenie went a-lookin' for John that night
She found him there at the bottom of the pit
And placed a red-hot kiss on his cold blue lips
He started breathin' (aah)
She waited a minute and then she kissed him again
And old John got the power of a hundred men
Up he come a-clawin' and a-diggin' like a mole
And said, "come on Queenie, we're gonna leave this hole"
They started walkin'
Now a roar from the crowd greeted this fine pair
As they both walked out in that cool night air
And up for silence went Big John's hand
And the Queen said, "I told you I'd get my man
'Cause he moves me"
You can find them today, they're down in New Orleans
Big Bad John and his Cajun Queen
They're a little bit wrinkled from the strain of time
But their love's just as strong as that night in the mine
A hundred-and-ten grandchildren
Now the moral of this story has a real clear omen
Don't you ever underestimate the power of a woman
RainWhenIDie
Note: I must clarify that this story is fictional and for entertainment purposes only. It contains adult content and is not suitable for younger audiences.
Big Bad John stood outside the old Louisiana plantation, his broad shoulders tensing as he approached the front door. It had been years since he had been here, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to face the consequences of his past actions.
He knocked on the door, and after a few moments, a woman in her late forties opened it. She looked at him suspiciously, her eyes lingering on the scar that ran down his cheek.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"I'm looking for the family of a man I sent to the promised land," Big John said.
The woman's expression softened, and she opened the door wider.
"Come in," she said. "We've been waiting for you."
Big John stepped inside and was led to the parlor, where a man and two young children were waiting. The man stood up and extended his hand.
"I'm James," he said. "And these are my children, Johnny and Janie."
Big John took James's hand and shook it firmly, then turned to the children and ruffled their hair.
"I'm John," he said. "But you can call me Big John."
There was an awkward silence, and Big John knew that he needed to say something.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I know that doesn't make up for what I did, but I want you to know that I regret it every day."
James nodded, his eyes filled with tears.
"I believe you," he said. "And I appreciate you coming here to apologize."
They talked for a while longer, and Big John promised to help the family in any way he could. As he left the plantation, he felt a weight lifting off his shoulders.
But he still had one more thing to do.
He drove to the other side of town, where a small Cajun bar was located. He pushed open the door, and the smell of spicy food and warm beer hit him.
And there she was.
His Cajun queen.
She was sitting at the bar, sipping a cold beer and laughing with the bartender. Her curly hair was tied back in a messy bun, and her bright red lips beckoned him.
He walked up to her and put his arms around her, pulling her close.
"I missed you, cher," he said, his voice low and husky.
She turned her head and pressed her lips against his, tasting like the hot sauce she had just eaten.
They spent the rest of the night in a haze of lust and passion, their bodies entwined on the bed of her small apartment.
As he lay there, exhausted and content, Big John knew that he had found his redemption. He had reconciled with the past and found solace in the arms of his Cajun queen.
And for the first time in a long time, he felt like the big bad John was finally at peace.
xero severous
All these years I've been so sad for Big John. How the heck am I just finding part 2?!?! I love this
Edith Davis
Part 2
Little bitty Big John
3 is
Cajun Queen.
Patricia Smethatsit
Man I agree! How have I never heard this?!
Bessarion 1
flipping 50 years I've been listening to Big John and only now I know "the rest of the story."
William Schehl
It. Has been there all the time just not that populer😮
William Schehl
It. Has been there all the time just not that populer😮
Armondo Alvarez
Oh My God! I never knew this existed! Big Bad John was (and still is) one of my many favorites growing up in the wild and wonderful '60's and to just now discover this sequel song to it brought a tear to my eye and a warm feeling to my heart. Thank you so much for posting and sharing it with us.... Rest well, Jimmy!!!!....
Christopher O'Rourke
It's too bad many radio stations don't play the Cajun Queen back to back with Big Bad John.
Ricktacular Rick
Christopher O'Rourke call in to your favorite radio stations and ask for rowdy Yates Saturday night country gold. he's pretty good at playin em both.
thomas howard
You are right it's to bad good songs of the pass