Jim Croce – Bad Bad Leroy Brown

About the song

Step back to 1973 and immerse yourself in the catchy, story-driven world of “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” a chart-topping hit by American folk-rock singer Jim Croce. This uptempo song, released as part of Croce’s album “Life and Times,” captured the hearts of listeners with its unforgettable character and humorous narrative.

Leroy Brown wasn’t your average Joe. Towering at 6-foot-4 and hailing from the rough South Side of Chicago, he was a force to be reckoned with. His imposing stature, swaggering attitude, and a penchant for carrying weapons – a .32 caliber pistol and a hidden razor – made him a figure both admired and feared. He exuded wealth, decked out in fancy clothes, diamond rings, and cruising in luxury cars like a Lincoln Continental or a Cadillac Eldorado.

But beneath this tough exterior lurked a vulnerability. In a barroom encounter, Leroy makes a fatal mistake: he sets his sights on the wrong woman, a beautiful married lady named Doris. Her jealous husband, fueled by righteous anger, challenges Leroy to a brawl. What unfolds is a hilarious twist – the seemingly invincible Leroy gets soundly defeated, leaving him looking worse for wear, “like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.”

This unexpected turn of events adds a layer of humor to the song, making it a captivating listen. “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” isn’t just a catchy tune; it’s a well-crafted story with relatable characters and a touch of small-town drama. The song’s success was further cemented by critical acclaim, earning Croce two Grammy nominations.

Interestingly, the inspiration for the song came from Croce’s own army experience. A fellow soldier named Leroy, known for his rebellious spirit, left the base without permission but returned for his paycheck, only to be promptly apprehended. This encounter sparked Croce’s imagination, leading to the creation of the larger-than-life Leroy Brown.

“Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” remains a timeless classic, a testament to Croce’s songwriting talent and storytelling prowess. It’s a song that will have you tapping your toes, chuckling at the unexpected, and appreciating the power of a well-told tale.

Video

Lyrics

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