Jim Croce – Bad Bad Leroy Brown (1973)

About the song

Let’s embark on a musical journey with a classic tune that’s sure to get your toes tapping and your spirits soaring: “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” by the incomparable Jim Croce. This song is a rollicking adventure through the streets of Chicago, filled with colorful characters and catchy melodies that will have you singing along in no time.

Penned by the talented Jim Croce himself, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” found its home on his album “Life and Times,” released in 1973. With its infectious rhythm and clever storytelling, the song quickly became a fan favorite and a chart-topper.

Upon its release, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” wasted no time climbing the charts, ultimately reaching the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its success wasn’t limited to the United States; it also made waves internationally, earning Croce widespread acclaim and recognition.

The song’s protagonist, Leroy Brown, is a larger-than-life character with a swaggering attitude and a penchant for trouble. As the lyrics unfold, we’re treated to a tale of love, rivalry, and ultimately, comeuppance, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Chicago’s streets.

Jim Croce’s untimely death shortly after the song’s release lent an extra layer of poignancy to its already memorable lyrics. Despite his tragic passing, Croce’s music continues to endure, captivating audiences of all ages with its timeless charm and heartfelt sincerity.

So, sit back, hit play, and let yourself be transported to a world where the music is lively, the stories are vivid, and the legend of Bad, Bad Leroy Brown lives on.

Video

Lyrics

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