Little Ole Man

Album: Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings (1967)
Charted: 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • What on Earth is Bill Cosby doing here? In the Billboard Top 10? He was just as shocked as you are. Just look at the expression on the cover of his comedy album (which also includes this song) 200 M.P.H.: he has that look like he's sayin' "What have I gone and done now?"

    Actually, when you come down to it, Cosby is less singing and more telling a story joke that builds throughout the song, with backing from a band and chorus. The song is actually another version of Stevie Wonder's Uptight (Everything's Alright)." But he did sing on some of the other tracks on the album, most of which are blues-standards-type songs.
  • Cosby was the first really famous comedian to have a Billboard-charting single, although many novelty songs charted by performers who certainly had "comedian" on their resumés. Another famous funnyman to hit the charts is Steve Martin, who cracked the Top-20 with "King Tut."
  • Even in 1967, Cosby was already a household name in entertainment. He had been in the TV series I Spy since 1965, and had released numerous comedy albums. He also was a regular guest host of The Tonight Show and annual specials for NBC.

    Over the next few years, he would make a mark in the musical realm as well, not only with this song, but also with the chart hits "Hooray For The Salvation Army Band" (#71, 1967), "Funky North Philly" (#91, 1968), and the spoken-word track "Grover Henson Feels Forgotten" (#70, 1970). Cosby also co-wrote the theme to the TV show Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, and wrote the song "Hikky-Burr" with Quincy Jones as the theme to his 1969 TV show.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."