About the song
“You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” is a timeless piece by the gifted American singer-songwriter Jim Croce. Released in 1972, this song stands out as one of Croce’s most celebrated works, illustrating his remarkable ability to craft engaging and vivid stories through his music. Croce himself penned the song, which became the title track of his album “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.”
In this song, Croce introduces us to the world of a pool hustler named “Big Jim Walker,” who is the toughest man in his neighborhood until someone tougher comes along. The song’s catchy tune and clever lyrics quickly caught the public’s attention, making it a favorite among listeners.
Upon its release, “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” achieved notable success on the charts. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, marking a significant milestone in Croce’s burgeoning career. This success helped to solidify his reputation as a skilled storyteller and a distinctive voice in the early 1970s music scene.
The album “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” itself was a major hit, and the song played a crucial role in its success. The album spent 93 weeks on the charts and was eventually certified gold, a testament to its enduring popularity and Croce’s growing influence as an artist.
Jim Croce’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1973 cut short a promising career, but his music continues to resonate with audiences. “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” remains a beloved classic, cherished for its catchy rhythm, memorable characters, and Croce’s unique ability to connect with his listeners through relatable and entertaining stories. This song is a perfect example of Croce’s legacy, showcasing his talent for blending humor, narrative, and melody into an unforgettable musical experience.
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Lyrics
Uptown got it’s hustlers
The bowery got it’s bums
42nd street got big Jim Walker
He’s a pool shootin’ son of a gun
Yeah, he’s big and dumb as a man can come
But he’s 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 came 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 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 uh, don’t you know
And 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’ were done
The only part that wasn’t bloody
Was the soles of the big man’s feet
Yeah, he was cut in in ’bout 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 the old lone ranger
And you don’t mess around with Slim