Big Boss Man

Jimmy Reed recorded Big Boss Man in Chicago for Vee-Jay with his regular small-band sound built around vocal, guitar, harmonica, and a steady shuffle rhythm. The song was written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith and produced in the Vee-Jay orbit that shaped Reeds early 1960s singles. Released by Vee-Jay in 1961, Big Boss Man reached the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Reeds best known crossover records. Its plain-spoken workplace complaint and relaxed groove made it a durable blues and R&B single. Big Boss Man became a widely covered standard after Reeds version, with major later recordings by Elvis Presley, Charlie Rich, and the Grateful Dead. The song remained one of the clearest examples of Reeds influence on rock and soul repertoires.