Great Joe Bob
Terry Allen · Other Songs - Terry Allen
Schoolboy football king
I told him "Hi" in the halls
'Cause he could run them balls
But it was rumored down deep he was mean
He dated high tone girls
With frosty pom pom curls
But he never gave out his ring
He was the best of the best
He met the gridiron test
An there ain't nothin'
As American and clean
He was the pride of the backfield
Ah, the hero of his day
Yeah, he carried the ball for the red and blue
They won District Triple-A
And his name made all the papers
As the best they'd ever had
Yeah, so nobody understood it
When the great Joe Bob went bad
First he lost his scholarship
To Texas Tech
For drinking during training
An' breaking the coach's neck
Then he got suspended
Ah, for acting obscene
Around the cum laudy, cum laudy
Daughter of the Dean
So he took up with a waitress
Named Loose Ruby Cole
While she was a hoppin' tables
Down at the Hi D Ho
And he met her on the sly
When her daddy weren't around
Ah, but he stopped making yardage
When he started messin' 'round
He was the pride of the backfield
Ah, the hero of his day
Yeah, he carried the ball for the red and blue
They won District Triple-A
And his name made all the papers
As the best they'd ever had
Yeah, so nobody understood it
When the Great Joe Bob went bad
Yeah, it spread like a country wildfire
That something big had gone all strange
Joe Bob the greatest halfback
Was acting half deranged
He'd been seen out with this woman
Gettin' drunk and havin' fun
Yeah, he growed his hair, then give up prayer
And said, "Football days is done"
Then he and old Loose Ruby
Robbed a Pinkie's Liquor Store
And had a run in with the law
When they's runnin' out the door
And Joe Bob's fate was sealed
For the next century
Yeah, he traded in the pigskin
For the penitentiary
He was the pride of the backfield
Ah, the hero of his day
Yeah, he carried the ball for the red and blue
But [incomprehensible] carried all the way
And his name made all the papers
As the best they'd ever had
Yeah, so nobody understood it and nobody comprehended
When the great Joe Bob went bad
Great Joe Bob
Terry Allen's "Great Joe Bob" stands as a quintessential example of his work within the New Orleans funk and soul tradition. Recorded in the late 1970s, the track exemplifies Allen's signature style, blending infectious grooves with the rhythmic complexity characteristic of the city's musical scene. As part of his extensive discography, the song reflects the era's vibrant energy and Allen's ability to craft memorable, danceable records that resonated deeply with audiences. The recording captures the essence of funk music from that period, showcasing Allen's talent for creating music that is both culturally significant and commercially appealing. It remains a notable song in his catalog, representing the high standards of his output during the late seventies.