After working with his early bands The Sundowners, The Epics, and Mudcrutch (which also included future Heartbreakers members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench) he began his recording career with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers when the band broke onto the national music scene with their 1976 self-titled debut album. Still, it took America a full year to catch up to the album. "Breakdown" was re-released to radio and became a Top 40 hit in 1977 after word filtered back the band was creating a firestorm in England.
He was also a member of The Traveling Wilburys, along with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison. Petty and the Heartbreakers also toured as a backing band for Bob Dylan.
Petty is a vocal critic of the modern recording industry, including the disintegration of independent radio stations.
Petty has been supported by his band, The Heartbreakers, for the majority of his career. He has occasionally released solo work, as is the case with his 2006 effort, Highway Companion, on which he performed most of the backing instrumentation himself. Examples of other solo albums include Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers
Petty died on 2 October 2017 following a cardiac episode earlier that day at his home in Malibu, California. Although some media outlets incorrectly reported his death following an erroneous police report, his death was confirmed later that day by his publicist and manager.
Big Boss Man
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Well you ain't so big, you just tall, that's all
Well you got me working boss man, working around the clock
One little drink of water but you won't let Tommy stop
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Well you ain't so big, you just tall, that's all
You got me working boss man, working around the clock
One little drink of water, but you won't let Tommy stop
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Listen you ain't so big, you just tall, that's all
The lyrics to Tom Petty's Big Boss Man seem to be a commentary on the unfairness and mistreatment that can happen in a work environment. The singer is addressing the titular "boss man" who seems to be indifferent or intentionally ignorant of the singer's struggles. The singer asks if the boss man can hear him, implying that he feels unheard and ignored by those in power. The second line directly addresses the boss man's size, suggesting that perhaps this physical attribute has given him an inflated sense of importance or power. The final line of the first verse appears to be a subtle dig at the boss man's authority, suggesting that his perceived bigness is not necessarily indicative of real power.
The second verse repeats the same theme of overworking and underappreciation. The singer is working "around the clock," but is only asking for a "little drink of water," which is still being denied to him. The repetition of this verse reinforces the idea that the working conditions are oppressive, and the boss man is indifferent to his subordinates' needs. The final verse repeats the same structure and themes, with the singer again asking to be heard and recognized for his hard work.
Line by Line Meaning
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Addressing the authority figure and questioning their ability to listen
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Repeating the question in hopes of getting a response
Well you ain't so big, you just tall, that's all
Challenging the notion that the boss is all-powerful
Well you got me working boss man, working around the clock
Acknowledging that the boss has control over their work schedule
One little drink of water but you won't let Tommy stop
Complaining about the boss's strict rules and lack of leniency
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Continuing to question the boss's ability to listen
Well you ain't so big, you just tall, that's all
Emphasizing that the boss's power is not absolute
You got me working boss man, working around the clock
Reiterating that the boss controls the artist's work life
One little drink of water, but you won't let Tommy stop
Expressing frustration with the boss's unreasonable demands
Big boss man, can't you hear me when I call?
Final plea to be heard by the boss
Listen you ain't so big, you just tall, that's all
Asserting that the boss's height does not define their authority
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dixon Luther, Al Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@keyjam9
There is nothing as heavy as country blues.
@cliffwilliams4398
The first time I've seen Danny Dawson or Lee Roy Parnell and I am a 100% fan of both as I already was with Waylon & Travis!!
@curtisstewart1774
That was pretty cool.
@johnbowers8388
I knew of Leeroy but not much just went to the song of the mountains and saw him last month he put on a well of a show it will air on pbs sometime this year it is in Marion va nice place if you get the chance to go going to see jr brown in 5\5\24 lookn ford to seeing him to
@anderskandersson4613
All these gentlemen are the real Big Boss Men; the true legends in American blues and outlaws industry ❤❤❤
@kerrydavidsadler980
Now that's a line up! What amazing talent and showmanship.
@onrywaymore104
No doubt...you got some mighty fine guitar pickers in that studio.
@jamesgoodman8289
Man I tell you that blues music is in every kind of music go head y'all good job on Jimmy Reed song that's how you survived in the cotton Fields keep the blues alive
@jongalleog3486
The moment i herd mr dawson sing i just knew he had the chops to carry on the outlaw sound 👍🏻i would pay anything to see him in jackson hole wym at the million dollar cowboy bar !
@bridgetwarner
that’s my dad, I’ll tell him he needs to do a show there! Always wanted to see WYM