Jim Croce – You Don’t Mess Around with Jim

About the song

“You Don’t Mess Around with Jim”: A Classic Tale of Love and Loss

Jim Croce was a singer-songwriter who emerged in the early 1970s with a unique blend of folk, rock, and country music. His songs were often personal and introspective, but they also had a universal appeal that resonated with listeners of all ages. Croce’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1973 cut short his promising career, but his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

One of Croce’s most popular songs is “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim”. The song tells the story of a young man who is smitten with a woman named Mary. He knows that she is in a relationship with another man, but he can’t help but be drawn to her. The song chronicles the man’s journey as he tries to win Mary’s heart, even though he knows that she is “not the kind of girl you mess around with.”

The song is a classic tale of love and loss. It is a story about the power of love and the pain of heartbreak. The song is also a reminder that life is short and that we should never take anything for granted.

The song’s lyrics are simple but effective. They tell the story in a clear and concise way. The song’s melody is catchy and easy to remember. Croce’s vocals are warm and expressive. He sings the song with conviction and passion.

“You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” is a timeless classic. It is a song that will continue to be enjoyed by listeners for generations to come. The song is a testament to Croce’s talent as a songwriter and his ability to connect with his listeners on an emotional level.

Key takeaways:

• “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” is a song about love and loss.
• The song was written by Jim Croce and released in 1972.
• The song is a classic tale of love and loss.
• The song is a reminder that life is short and that we should never take anything for granted.
• The song’s lyrics are simple but effective.
• The song’s melody is catchy and easy to remember.
• Croce’s vocals are warm and expressive.
• “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” is a timeless classic.

Additional information:

• Genre: Folk, rock, country
• Length: 3:03
• Album: You Don’t Mess Around with Jim
• Release date: 1972
• Personnel:
  • Jim Croce – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Maury Muehleisen – electric guitar
  • Tommy West – bass guitar
  • Bobby Thompson – drums

Critical reception:

• “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” was a commercial success, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1973.
• The song was also a critical success, with many critics praising Croce’s songwriting and vocals.
• The song has been covered by many artists, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard.

Legacy:

• “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” is considered to be one of Jim Croce’s signature songs.
• The song is a classic tale of love and loss that continues to be enjoyed by listeners around the world.
• The song is a reminder that life is short and that we should never take anything for granted.

Video

Lyrics

“You Don’t Mess Around With Jim”

 

Uptown got its hustlers
The bowery got its bums
42nd Street got Big Jim Walker
He’s a pool-shootin’ son of a gun
Yeah, he big and dumb as a man can come
But he stronger than a country hoss
And when the bad folks all get together at night
You know they all call big Jim “Boss”, just because
And they say

“You don’t tug on Superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger
And you don’t mess around with Jim”

Well outta south Alabama come a country boy
He said, “I’m lookin’ for a man named Jim
I am a pool-shootin’ boy, my name’s Willie McCoy
But down at home they call me Slim
Yeah I’m lookin’ for the king of 42nd Street
He drivin’ a drop top Cadillac
Last week he took all my money, and it may sound funny
But I come to get my money back”
And everybody say, “Jack don’t you know

You don’t tug on Superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger
And you don’t mess around with Jim”

Well, a hush fell over the pool room
Jimmy come boppin’ in off the street
And when the cuttin’ was done
The only part that wasn’t bloody
Was the soles of the big man’s feet, ooh
And he was cut in about a hundred places
And he was shot in a couple more
And you better believe
They sung a different kind of story
When big Jim hit the floor now, they say

You don’t tug on Superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger
And you don’t mess around with Slim

Yeah, big Jim got his hat
Find out where it’s at
And it’s not hustlin’ people strange to you
Even if you do got a two-piece custom-made pool cue

Yeah you don’t tug on Superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger
And you don’t mess around with Slim