Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)
Peggy Lee · Other Songs - Peggy Lee
I wants to tell ya, he sure was tough tough, and he certainly did
strut his stuff
He had folks all scared to death, when he walked by they all held
their breath
He was a fighting man, sure enough
Now Bill got himself a wife, and he leads a different life
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now
Married life done changed him some how
He's the man the town used to fear
Now they all call him sweet pappa Willie dear
Stronger than Samson I declare
'Til the brown skinned woman
Bobbed his hair
Big Bad Bill don't fight any more (No, he don't)
Doing the dishes
Mopping up that floor (Yes, he is)
Well he used to go out drinking
Looking for a fight
Now he gotta see that woman
Everynight
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now
Ah, play it boys
I likes that jazz
Big Bad Bill don't fight any more (No, he don't)
Doing the dishes
Mopping up that floor (Yes, he is)
Well he used to go out drinking
Looking for a fight
Now he gotta see that woman
Everynight
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now (Doing the dishes)
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now (Mop up the floor)
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now
Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)
Peggy Lee's rendition of "Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)" stands as a definitive example of her mastery over jazz and pop standards. Known for her distinctive contralto voice and innovative phrasing, Lee transformed this narrative ballad into a showcase of emotional depth and rhythmic precision. The song tells a tragic tale of a woman's husband, whose violent nature earns him the moniker Big Bad Bill, only to be revealed as the gentle Sweet William in death. Lee's interpretation captures the bittersweet irony of the story without relying on vocal theatrics, instead using subtle tonal shifts to convey the narrative arc. This recording highlights her ability to imbue familiar material with fresh intimacy, cementing her status as a pivotal figure in American music history. Her work on this track remains a testament to her enduring influence on vocal jazz and her skill in storytelling through song.