Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
Bigtime
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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Hey rig down the road I tore 'em down I'm a bigtime
I wheeled right in them swinging doors
Out through the window with half of that store
Everybody stopped and roared here comes Bigtime
Lemme grab me a bottle when I bit off a tap cause I'm bigtime
I do a 90 miles an hour in this speedin' trap and that's bigtime
I rolled up the telephone pole and then I kissed 15 women fought 16 men
And then a cop come up he said I see you've been enjoyin' quite a bigtime yeah
But you got to pay for what have been destroyed Mr Bigtime
I told that cop you better cut right out
Cause you're a little bitty man I'm a great big trout
I swung at him and the lights went out on my bigtime
Hey here I am coolin' in the country slam and this is the bigtime
The judge didn't believe how imprtant I am he gave me bigtime
And in the bunk above me there is a poor tempted soul
He shot his wife cause she sneezed untold
Hope he didn't catch cold here in the bigtime
Hey when I get out I can have it made I could be bigtime
Vause my safecracker buddies wanna teach me the trade in their bigtime
I thanked them kindly but I told them no when I get out I'm gonna take it slow
A cup of hot chocolade and a late late show will be my bigtime
Yea cup of hot chocolade and a late show will be my bigtime
The song Bigtime by Shel Silverstein is a comical story about a man who is determined to live his life to the fullest and become the biggest and best person he can be. The song is filled with hyperbole and exaggeration as the singer brags about his accomplishments, such as destroying a store, kissing 15 women, and fighting 16 men. He takes pleasure in being known as Bigtime and his bragging is an attempt to prove his worth to others, as well as to himself.
The character's defining trait seems to be his need for recognition and his desire to be remembered as someone who lived a full and exciting life. He does everything he can to create stories and memories, from speeding at 90 miles an hour to fighting with a cop. Despite his antics, he eventually ends up in jail. However, even there, he finds a way to paint his situation in a positive light, seeing imprisonment as a chance to rest and take it slow. The ending suggests that his concept of what "big time" is has evolved, from an action-packed life to a peaceful afternoon with a cup of hot chocolate and a late show.
Overall, Bigtime is a funny and quirky song that is laced with social commentary. Silverstein's lyrics poke fun at American society's obsession with fame, success, and accomplishment. It is a reminder that sometimes, the most significant things in life can be the simplest.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey dragged up my holly and I pull it to a town for the bigtime
I arrived in town with my belongings and I'm ready for a good time
Hey rig down the road I tore 'em down I'm a bigtime
As I traveled down the road, I created chaos and destruction, proclaiming that I'm a big shot
I wheeled right in them swinging doors
I entered a place with swinging doors
Out through the window with half of that store
I stole half of the items in that store and fled through the window
Everybody stopped and roared here comes Bigtime
Everyone stopped and cheered when they saw me, the great Bigtime
Lemme grab me a bottle when I bit off a tap cause I'm bigtime
I opened a bottle with my teeth and took a drink because I'm important
I do a 90 miles an hour in this speeding trap and that's bigtime
I drove 90 miles per hour in this speeding trap, showing off my importance
I rolled up the telephone pole and then I kissed 15 women fought 16 men
I climbed up a telephone pole and then I kissed 15 women and fought 16 men to show my power
I thought I'd start over again for another bigtime
I planned to start over again for another big time experience
And then a cop come up he said I see you've been enjoyin' quite a bigtime yeah
A police officer approached me and said that he saw me enjoying my extravagant lifestyle
But you got to pay for what have been destroyed Mr Bigtime
The cop warned me that I must pay for the destruction that I caused
I told that cop you better cut right out
I told the cop that he should leave me alone
Cause you're a little bitty man I'm a great big trout
I insulted the cop by saying that he's small and insignificant, while I am a powerful figure
I swung at him and the lights went out on my bigtime
I tried to hit the cop and as a result, my extravagant lifestyle came to an abrupt end
Hey here I am coolin' in the country slam and this is the bigtime
I am now relaxing in the countryside, living my best and most extravagant life
The judge didn't believe how important I am he gave me bigtime
The judge was impressed by my supposed importance and gave me special treatment
And in the bunk above me there is a poor tempted soul
There is someone in the bunk above me who is suffering
He shot his wife cause she sneezed untold
He killed his wife because she sneezed too much
Hope he didn't catch cold here in the bigtime
I hope that the man in the bunk above me doesn't get sick in this extravagant lifestyle
Hey when I get out I can have it made I could be bigtime
When I get out, I will become rich and famous, living a luxurious life
Vause my safecracker buddies wanna teach me the trade in their bigtime
My safecracker friends want to teach me their trade and I will become even more successful and powerful
I thanked them kindly but I told them no when I get out I'm gonna take it slow
I politely declined their offer and said that I will take things slow when I am released
A cup of hot chocolade and a late late show will be my bigtime
For me, a cup of hot chocolate and a late night show will be the pinnacle of luxury
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind