The band's only appearance on the UK Singles Charts was "I'm the Urban Spaceman", which reached #5 in October 1968. The single was produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym "Apollo C. Vermouth". The band disbanded in 1970. The band reunited briefly in 1972 and again in 1988, before reuniting permanently in 2002.
After the initial split, Innes provided songs for "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and the Monty Python troupe's subsequent films, and is often considered to be an "unofficial member" of the troupe. Stanshall died in a house fire in 1995.
The band's six albums are: "Gorilla" (1967), "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse" (1968, released as "Urban Spaceman" in the US), "Tadpoles" (1969), "Keynsham" (1969), "Let's Make Up and Be Friendly" (1972) and "Pour l'Amour des Chiens" (2007).
Big Shot
The Bonzo Dog Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You heard me right the first time
Name of bachelor Johnny Cool
Occupation, Big Shot
Occupation at the moment, just having fun
What a party that was
The drinks were loaded
I narrowed my eyes and poured a stiff Manhattan
Then I saw Hotsie, what a dame
A big, bountiful babe in the region of 48-23-38
One hell of a region
She had the hottest lips since Hiroshima
I had to stand back for fear of being burned
Whiskey wow, wow, I breathed
She was dressed as before the bed
In that kind of outfit
She could get rolled at night
And I don't mean on a crap table
It's kind of revealing, isn't it?
Revealing? It's positively risk
I like it, she said
"You're a man with a thousand Gs, right?"
"A thousand what?" I quipped
"G-men, girls, guns, guts"
"You're my type"
"Wrong, baby", I slapped her hard
"I'm a L man, strictly liquor, love and laughs"
She stared over my shoulder
"Play it cool, Johnny" Play it what? I flipped
"Listen, I fought my way up from tough East Side New York
Lead filled saps and sub-machine guns, like this"
She said, "Johnny, this is a deadly game
Have a few laughs and go home"
I shuddered, normally I pack a rod in pajamas
I carry nothing but scars from Normandy beach
I said, "Wrong, baby, you can't fool me"
She spat playfully, "I'm ahead of you, Johnny"
I studied the swell of her enormous boobs and said
"Baby, you're so far ahead it's beautiful"
"You, you are, you are eccentric, I like that"
"Electric Cheri, bounce off my rocket, tout comprehend?"
We spoke French fluently, our lips met again and again
"Yeah, yeah, yeah", I slobbered
Hotsie said, "You're slobbering all over the seat, kid"
I went home late, very late
What could I say to M
The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's song "Big Shot" is a humorous and satirical take on the glamorous and wild lifestyles of wealthy and successful men. The singer of the song, Johnny Cool, is portrayed as a stereotypical "big shot," who is confident, cool, and enjoys the company of beautiful women. The lyrics describe his encounter with a woman named Hotsie at a party, where they engage in witty banter and flirtatious behavior.
The song's lyrics are full of playful puns and double entendres, making it an amusing and entertaining listen. The phrase "Big Shot" is used ironically, as Johnny's occupation seems to be simply having fun and enjoying the high life. He brags about his wealth and status, but ultimately admits that he is just a liquor-loving, fun-seeking bachelor. The description of Hotsie's physical attributes and their flirtation is exaggerated and almost cartoonish, adding to the song's comedic tone.
Overall, "Big Shot" is a lighthearted song that pokes fun at the idea of masculinity and success, showing that even those who seem to "have it all" can be just as clueless and insecure as anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the Big Shot
I perceive myself as an important person
You heard me right the first time
I am certain of my own perceived importance
Name of bachelor Johnny Cool
I go by the name Johnny Cool and I am not married
Occupation, Big Shot
I consider my occupation to be that of an important person
Occupation at the moment, just having fun
Currently, I am not doing anything of actual importance
What a party that was
That was one heck of a party
The drinks were loaded
The drinks were quite alcoholic
And so were the dolls
And so were the women
I narrowed my eyes and poured a stiff Manhattan
I looked intently and poured a strong Manhattan cocktail
Then I saw Hotsie, what a dame
Then I saw Hotsie, a beautiful woman
A big, bountiful babe in the region of 48-23-38
A curvaceous woman with measurements of 48 inches bust, 23 inches waist, and 38 inches hips
One hell of a region
One amazing set of measurements
She had the hottest lips since Hiroshima
She had very attractive lips
I had to stand back for fear of being burned
I was figuratively burned by how attractive she was
Whiskey wow, wow, I breathed
I expressed my excitement at seeing her
She was dressed as before the bed
She was dressed in clothing reminiscent of lingerie
In that kind of outfit
Wearing that sort of clothing
She could get rolled at night
She could be mistaken for a prostitute
And I don't mean on a crap table
And definitely not in a game of craps
Revealing? It's positively risk
It is extremely revealing and daring
I like it, she said
She liked what she was wearing
"You're a man with a thousand Gs, right?"
"You have a lot of money, don't you?"
"A thousand what?" I quipped
I asked for clarification on her statement
"G-men, girls, guns, guts"
"G-men" refers to government agents, while "guns, girls, and guts" seem to be her idea of desirable things to have
"You're my type"
She considers me her perfect match
"Wrong, baby", I slapped her hard
I disagreed with her and responded physically
"I'm a L man, strictly liquor, love and laughs"
I am a man who enjoys alcohol, love, and having a good time
"She stared over my shoulder"
She was looking past me
"Play it cool, Johnny"
She encouraged me to act calm and collected
"Play it what?" I flipped
I wasn't sure what she meant by her comment
"Listen, I fought my way up from tough East Side New York
I come from a difficult background in New York City
Lead filled saps and sub-machine guns, like this"
I had to use weapons like lead-filled saps and sub-machine guns to survive
"Johnny, this is a deadly game
She warned me that the situation we were in could be dangerous
Have a few laughs and go home"
Just enjoy yourself and then leave
I shuddered, normally I pack a rod in pajamas
I was reminded of how dangerous things could be and how I usually sleep with a gun
I carry nothing but scars from Normandy beach
I only carry scars from my experiences fighting in Normandy during WWII
"Wrong, baby, you can't fool me"
I disagreed with her and thought I had the situation under control
She spat playfully, "I'm ahead of you, Johnny"
She playfully teased me and claimed to have the upper hand
I studied the swell of her enormous boobs and said
I looked at her large breasts and spoke
"Baby, you're so far ahead it's beautiful"
"You are more intelligent and skilled than I thought, and it is impressive to me"
"You, you are, you are eccentric, I like that"
"You are different than most people, and I find that attractive"
"Electric Cheri, bounce off my rocket, tout comprehend?"
I spoke nonsensically to her in a way that I thought sounded seductive
We spoke French fluently, our lips met again and again
We were able to converse in French and then kissed multiple times
"Yeah, yeah, yeah", I slobbered
I made sounds of pleasure and spoke unintelligibly
Hotsie said, "You're slobbering all over the seat, kid"
She pointed out to me that I was drooling on the furniture
I went home late, very late
I left the situation late at night
What could I say to M
I am not sure what to say to someone (M) about what just happened
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Vivian Stanshall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind