Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight

Album: Mr. Big Stuff (1971)

Charted: 2

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In this song, Jean Knight addresses a ladies' man with means, letting him know that she's not going to fall for his charms and isn't impressed with his fancy clothes or big fine car. He won't break her heart because she'll never give him the chance. The man for her is one with a love that's true, even if he's broke.
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. >>
Suggestion credit:
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.

Comments: 5

Richard from Cape Town Mr big stuff was one of my favourite songs
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1971 {September 25th} Jean Knight performed "Mr. Big Stuff" on the ABC-TV Saturday-afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
Four months earlier on May 23rd, 1971 "Mr. Big Stuff" entered Billboard's Hot 100 chart at position #92, eleven weeks later it would peak at #2* (for 2 weeks} and it spent sixteen weeks on the Top 100...
And on June 27th, 1971 it reached #1 {for 5 weeks} on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, for the first four weeks it was at #1 it kept another Knight out of the top spot, Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" was in the #2 spot for those four weeks...
Later in 1971 Ms. Knight had another 'Hot Stuff' record on the Top 100, on October 24th her "You Think You're Hot Stuff" peaked at #57 for two weeks...
He third and last Top 100 record was "Mr. Toot", it reached #50 in 1985...
Jean Knight, born Jean Caliste, will celebrated her 77th birthday in four months on January 26th, 2020...
* The two weeks "Mr. Big Stuff" was at #2 on the Top 100, the #1 record for both those weeks was "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" by the Bee Gees...
Howard Goodman from Edgewater Park NjI know The Chiffons. Laurie Records. Sure wished they used the flip of "He's So Fine" as their first release. "Oh My Lover" is, in my opinion, much better.
Kristin from Bessemer, AlJean 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.
Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesDoes 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".

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