"Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)" is a song with music by Milton Ager and lyrics by Jack Yellen, written in 1924. The song became a vocal hit for Margaret Young accompanied by Rube Bloom, and an instrumental hit for the Don Clark Orchestra.
The song has also been recorded by Ernest Hare (1924),Blue Amberol Records 4947 (1924 Edison cylinder) Billy Murray (1924), Clementine Smith (1924), Emmett Miller (1929), Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra (1940), Peggy Lee (1962), Merle Haggard (1973), Ry Cooder (1978), Leon Redbone (1978), Van Halen (1982) and others"Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now" at allmusic.com (link). Accessed 2011 January 2 and has been a popular song in barbershop quartet and chorus competitions.Balladtown USA presents 30 Years of Barbershop Harmony (1975) RCS Records RCS-71, 1975 All Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest, Forest Grove, OR - "The Lions Share"Naked Voice Records NVR 409 (link )
The lyrics describe a man "in the town of Louisville..." who was once a fearsome and rough character known for getting into fights, who, after getting married, becomes a peaceable person who devotes his time to domestic activities such as washing dishes and mopping the floor. He was "Stronger than Samson I declare, Til the brown skinned woman, Bobbed his hair."
Recordings Billy Murray (1924) Victor Talking Machine Company: 19503-A Emmett Miller (1929) accompanied by his Georgia Crackers. Okeh: 41305 Sugar 'n' Spice (1962), by Peggy Lee I Love Dixie Blues (1973), by Merle Haggard Jazz (1978), by Ry Cooder (opening track)Warner Brothers Records BSK 3197 Champagne Charlie (1978), by Leon Redbone Diver Down (1982), by Van Halen Bursting With Pride, by the Pride of Baltimore ChorusCD 5608 at Singers.com (link)
In film William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe (2009), sung by Sam Amidon and Shahzad Ismaily during the credits Boardwalk Empire, Season 2
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