“People think that pop is a bad thing, but pop comes from the word "popular." And what makes something popular can be something very left field.” »read more
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This was Knight's first national hit. She recorded it in May of 1970 at Malaco Studios in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to going there, Knight worked as a baker at Loyola University in New Orleans.
After Knight recorded this song, it was given to several different national record labels, all of which rejected it. However, when King Floyd's hit "Groove Me" (also recorded at Malaco Studios) became a #1 R&B hit in early 1971, the employees of Stax Records remembered Knight's recording of "Mr. Big Stuff," reconsidered, and released it.
This stayed on the pop and R&B charts for 16 weeks (it was a #1 R&B hit), went double platinum, and was nominated for a Grammy. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above)
In 2000, Everclear sampled this on "AM Radio," a song about growing up in the '70s.
In early 2007, this song was used in a Papa John's Pizza commercial that introduced the XL GrandPapa pizza. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA)
More songs by Jean Knight
More songs that were sampled into hits
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More songs that bash men
Comments:
Jean Knight's follow-up to this colossal hit was entitled "You Think You're Hot Stuff", which wasnt quite as colossal, peaking at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Kristin, Bessemer, AL
Does anyone know "Sweet-Talkin' Guy" by the Chiffons? When I think of "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight, I think of an affirmative response to the Chiffons. The Chiffons sing about a woman warning other women not to fall for a big bad wolf; the Chiffons call him "sweet-talkin' guy". According to the way I relate stories, Jean Knight sings about a woman who takes the Chiffonic advice and confronts the "sweet-talkin' guy" and shows him who's boss; Jean Knight, however, calls him "Mr. Big Stuff".
- andrew, birmingham, United States