"You Don't Mess Around with Jim" is a 1972 single by Jim Croce from his album of the same name.[1] The song was also Croce's debut single when it was released in July 1972. It reached a peak of 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
[edit] Content
The lyrics tell story of "Big Jim Walker", a pool hustler who is not too bright but is very strong and respected because of his tough reputation and his skill at pool. The regulars at the pool hall have this advice:
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 Jim
A man named Willie McCoy who is also a pool player comes to the pool hall to get his money back from Big Jim after being hustled out of it the previous week. Willie McCoy is known as "Slim" back in his hometown in south Alabama. Big Jim comes into the pool room and is shot and killed by Willie McCoy. McCoy gets his money back and the regulars at the pool hall now have different advice as Willie McCoy now has all of the respect: "You don't mess around with Slim".
Croce tells a nearly identical story (tough guy whom everybody fears is brutally beaten when he meets an even tougher guy) in his hit single Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.
[edit] In popular culture
[edit] Live performances
Live versions of the song have been released on both of of Croce's live albums, Have You Heard: Jim Croce Live, and Jim Croce Live: The Final Tour.
[edit] Track listing
7" Single (ABC-11328)[5]
- "You Don't Mess Around With Jim " - 3:00
- "Photographs and Memories" - 2:03
[edit] Chart performance
[edit] Weekly charts
| Chart (1972) |
Peak
position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 |
8 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary |
9[6] |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 |
7[7] |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles |
4[8] |
| France Pop Singles |
15[9] |
|
[edit] Year-end charts
|
[edit] References
