Big Head

Album: Unbeatable Bygraves (1953)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In his autobiography, Max Bygraves relates the genesis of this song. His initial forays into show business were as an impressionist, and he created a catch phrase "Big 'ead" while performing on the radio. This caught on, and the songwriter Jack Meadows came up with a song which he recorded on HMV. "Big Head" (Pronounced "Big 'ead") retailed for one shilling. But although it sold well, "a letter to a newspaper gave a different interpretation to the composition."

    He was he said "blamed for taking a rise from people afflicted with a deformity." Who says political correctness is a modern phenomenon? The result of that was that the song faded from view, although later in his career, Max would play up to the stereotype himself. It was also this experience he said that led to him writing his own material. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.