Big Time Operators
Van Morrison Lyrics


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Well, they told me to come on over
I made my way to New York
And they tried to have me deported
Stop me from getting work
Blacklisted me all over
They were vicious and they were mean
They were big time operators
Baby, on the music business scene

Oh, they looked like politicians
But underneath they were thugs
And they spread malicious rumors
Threatened to have me busted for drugs
They had nothing on me
Oh man, I was really clean
But they were big time operators
On the music business scene

They put a bug in my apartment
To listen in on my calls
I was looking for some motivation
I couldn't find any, any motivation at all
They were very desperate people
Riding in long black limousines
But they were big time operators
On the music business scene

They were glorified by the media
They were heroes who had names
They said that they would bury me
If I didn't play their game
They said I didn't know the score
And that I was young and green
They were big game operators
On the music business scene

Tried to hold me to a phony contract
I said I didn't agree
Had to get out of the clutches
Had to go underground you see
Now I'm living in another country
But I know exactly just where I've been
Stay away from big time operators
Baby, on the music business scene

Well, baby big time operators
On the music business scene
Oh baby, big time operators
On the music business scene




Well, full of names and places
Baby, you know who I mean

Overall Meaning

In Van Morrison's song, "Big Time Operators," the singer reflects on his experiences with the corrupt side of the music industry. The lyrics are about the power and control that these individuals hold, and how they attempt to manipulate and exploit artists. The song is set in New York, where the singer has come to pursue his career. However, he quickly learns that these "big time operators" will stop at nothing to exert their influence over him.


The first verse describes how they try to have the singer deported and prevent him from getting work. He discovers that they have blacklisted him and are spreading malicious rumours about him. The second verse talks about how they put a bug in his apartment to snoop in on his private conversations. The operators are also described as "glorified by the media" and threaten to bury the singer if he doesn't play by their rules. Ultimately, the singer declines their phony contract and goes underground to continue making music on his own terms.


Overall, the song is a powerful statement against the greed and corruption that can exist within the music industry. The singer urges others to stay away from these "big time operators" and to pursue their passion for music without compromising their artistic integrity.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, they told me to come on over
They invited me to come to New York.


I made my way to New York
I traveled to New York on my own.


And they tried to have me deported
They attempted to have me sent back to my home country.


Stop me from getting work
Prevent me from earning a living.


Blacklisted me all over
They spread negative rumors about me and prevented me from finding work in the industry.


They were vicious and they were mean
They were cruel and had negative intentions.


They were big time operators
They were power players in the music industry.


Baby, on the music business scene
They had influence and authority over careers in music.


Oh, they looked like politicians
They presented themselves as political figures.


But underneath they were thugs
In reality, they were violent and thuggish.


And they spread malicious rumors
They spread false stories designed to damage my reputation.


Threatened to have me busted for drugs
They threatened to have me falsely arrested for drug charges.


They had nothing on me
They had no legitimate charges to make against me.


Oh man, I was really clean
I had no drug problems or criminal history.


On the music business scene
Despite this, they still used their power to try and harm me professionally.


They put a bug in my apartment
They secretly installed surveillance equipment in my living space.


To listen in on my calls
They wanted to eavesdrop on my conversations.


I was looking for some motivation
I was searching for inspiration to create new music.


I couldn't find any, any motivation at all
However, the pressure and threats I was facing made it difficult to find inspiration or focus on my creative work.


They were very desperate people
They were willing to use any means necessary to maintain their control over me and other musicians.


Riding in long black limousines
They had excessive, luxurious lifestyles while suppressing artists like me.


They were glorified by the media
The press gave them positive coverage and presented them as important figures in the industry.


They were heroes who had names
They were public figures and celebrities in their own right.


If I didn't play their game
If I didn't comply with their demands and expectations.


They said I didn't know the score
They claimed I was ignorant and inexperienced in the music industry.


And that I was young and green
They believed I was naive and easily manipulated due to my age and inexperience.


They were big game operators
They were major players in the music industry, with significant control over careers and media coverage.


Tried to hold me to a phony contract
They attempted to force me into a contract that was unfair or unlawful.


I said I didn't agree
I refused to agree to their demands.


Had to get out of the clutches
I had to escape their grasp and control.


Had to go underground you see
I had to hide and stay out of sight to protect myself.


Now I'm living in another country
I had to leave the US and move to a different country as a result.


But I know exactly just where I've been
I am aware of the struggles and battles I faced in the music industry.


Stay away from big time operators
My experience shows that artists should avoid these powerful and manipulative figures.


Well, baby big time operators
These individuals are dangerous and harmful to aspiring artists.


Well, full of names and places
These big time operators are notorious in the music industry, with ties to many famous people and organizations.


Baby, you know who I mean
People who have been in the industry for a while are aware of who these powerful figures are and the damage they can cause to artists.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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