Jean Knight – Mr. Big Stuff

A fun soul song from the seventies. Jean Knight’s birth name was Jean Caliste. She adopted the professional name of Jean Knight because she felt that “Caliste” was too hard to pronounce. Love the bass sound in this song. It peaked at #2 in the Billboard 100 in 1971. The song reminds me of “”Groove Me” and they were recorded at the same studio…Malaco Studios in Mississippi.

After Knight recorded this song, it was given to several different national record labels, all of which rejected it. However, when King Floyd’s hit “Groove Me” became a #1 R&B hit in early 1971, the employees of Stax Records remembered Knight’s recording of “Mr. Big Stuff,” reconsidered, and released it.

From Songfacts.

This stayed on the pop and R&B charts for 16 weeks (it was a #1 R&B hit), went double platinum, and was nominated for a Grammy. >>

In 2000, Everclear sampled this on “AM Radio,” a song about growing up in the ’70s.

In early 2007, this song was used in a Papa John’s Pizza commercial that introduced the XL GrandPapa pizza.

Mr. Big Stuff

(Oh yeah, ooh)
Mr. Big Stuff
Who do you think you are
Mr. Big Stuff 
You’re never gonna get my love

Now because you wear all those fancy clothes (oh yeah)
And have a big fine car, oh yes you do now
Do you think I can afford to give you my love (oh yeah)
You think you’re higher than every star above

Mr. Big Stuff 
Who do you think you are
Mr. Big Stuff 
You’re never gonna get my love

Now I know all the girls I’ve seen you with
I know you broke their hearts one after another now, bit by bit
You made ’em cry, many poor girls cry
When they try to keep you happy, they just try to keep you satisfied

Mr. Big Stuff, tell me tell me
Who do you think you are
Mr. Big Stuff 
You’re never gonna get my love

I’d rather give my love to a poor guy that has a love that’s true (oh yeah)
Than to be fooled around and get hurt by you
Cause when I give my love, I want love in return (oh yeah)
Now I know this is a lesson Mr. Big Stuff you haven’t learned

Mr. Big Stuff, tell me
Who do you think you are
Mr. Big Stuff 
You’re never gonna get my love

Mr. Big Stuff
You’re never gonna break my heart
Mr. Big Stuff 
You’re never gonna make me cry

Mr. Big Stuff, tell me
Just who do you think you are
Mr. Big Stuff 
You’re never gonna get my love
Mr. Big Stuff