Jim Croce – Bad, Bad Leroy Brown

About the song

The Life and Legacy of Jim Croce

Jim Croce was an American singer-songwriter who emerged in the early 1970s with a unique blend of folk, rock, and country music. His warm, expressive voice and knack for crafting relatable stories in his songs quickly won him a legion of fans. Croce’s career was tragically cut short in a plane crash in 1973, but his music has continued to resonate with listeners for generations to come.

One of Croce’s most beloved songs is “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” a tongue-in-cheek ballad about a tough guy who gets his comeuppance. The song was released in 1973 as the lead single from Croce’s album “Life and Times.” It quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”: A Classic Tale of Good vs. Evil

“Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” tells the story of a small-town boy named Leroy Brown who is known for being a bully. He is mean, tough, and always looking for a fight. One day, Leroy Brown meets his match in a local bar. The song’s narrator, who is friends with the bartender, witnesses the showdown and tells the story in a humorous and engaging way.

The song’s lyrics are simple but effective. Croce uses vivid imagery and clever wordplay to create a memorable portrait of Leroy Brown and his downfall. The song’s melody is catchy and upbeat, and Croce’s vocals are full of energy and enthusiasm.

The Enduring Legacy of “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”

“Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” is a classic example of Croce’s songwriting talent. The song is funny, heartwarming, and full of life. It is a timeless story of good vs. evil that continues to resonate with listeners of all ages.

Key takeaways:

• “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” is a tongue-in-cheek ballad about a tough guy who gets his comeuppance.
• The song was released in 1973 and quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
• The song tells the story of a small-town boy named Leroy Brown who is known for being a bully.
• The song’s lyrics are simple but effective, and the melody is catchy and upbeat.
• “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” is a classic example of Croce’s songwriting talent and continues to resonate with listeners of all ages.

Video

Lyrics

“Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”

 

Woah!

Well, the South side of Chicago
Is the baddest part of town
And if you go down there
You better just beware
Of a man named Leroy Brown

Now Leroy more than trouble
You see he stand ’bout six foot four
All the downtown ladies call him “Treetop Lover”
All the men just call him “Sir”

And it’s bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damned town
Badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a junkyard dog

Now Leroy he’s a gambler
And he likes his fancy clothes
And he likes to wave his diamond rings
In front of everybody’s nose

He got a custom Continental
He got an Eldorado too
He got a 32 gun in his pocket for fun
He got a razor in his shoe

And it’s bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damned town
Badder than old King Kong
Meaner than a junkyard dog

Now Friday bout a week ago
Leroy shootin’ dice
And at the edge of the bar
Sat a girl named Doris
And ooh that girl looked nice

Well he cast his eyes upon her
And the trouble soon began
Cause Leroy Brown, he learned a lesson
‘Bout messin’ with the wife of a jealous man

And it’s bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damned town
Badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a junkyard dog

Well the two men took to fightin’
And when they pulled them from the floor
Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle
With a couple of pieces gone

And it’s bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damn town
Badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a junkyard dog

And it’s bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damned town
Badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a junkyard dog
Yeah, badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a junkyard dog