Jim Croce was a master story teller - "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," "Time in a Bottle," "Operator," "Roller Derby Queen" (this one is fun!) - all gold.
My grandmother used to play the hell out of this song on the piano when I was little. She passed years ago. Feeling like she’s stopping by to say hello to me personally😊
This guy didn't make a bad song. Rest in peace Jim taken way to soon but he lives through his music 🎶 and hopefully future generations carry him through time 🙏.
@@bigsmoke5105 Well, I have been a paramedic for 24+ years, I have seen more than a few people that resembled "A jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone". My favorite description of a DOA was: (Motorcycle accident, high speed, rider thrown from the bike while wearing a low profile helmet) The cop walked up to our rig as we arrived, we asked where the patient was and what condition he was in, the cop replied "He's over there. And his face is did a fair impression of jello being scraped across pavement."
His career was just taking off when, tragically he was killed in a plane crash in Natchitoches, La in 1973. His other hits include "Operator" "I Gotta Name" "Time In A Bottle" "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song"
@@WanderingWriter Jim Croce's was one of the dumbest. He'd agreed to do the concert before he got famous, and because he was an honorable man he still did it at a rate he didn't make any money off of. Add to that, the airfield inexplicably had a row of trees planted across the end of the runway, and that's what they hit. He shouldn't have been there. The trees shouldn't have been there. It never should have happened.
Mom has a record with Leroy Brown on it and it came with a picture of his son inside on the opposite side is the song's and lyrics It's sad he left his little boy behind 😢
"The two men got to fightin', and when they pulled them from the floor, Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone!" - For my money this is one of the best lyrics in all of music.
I always liked songs where someone gets shot. Like in Marty Robbins' El Paso, "I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle, I feel the bullet go deep in my chest". But Jim's line here has all that graphic brutality, softened by the clever joke. Agreed, one of the best lyrics ever.
When I was a kid, I remember every time this came on the radio, I would dance in the back seat of my moms car. It was this song along with "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and Stealers Wheel - "Stuck in the Middle with You." All three of those songs were my favorites! This was in the early 70s, before car seats and seat belts were a thing. My normal spot in the car, was standing on the back seat with my arms stretched across the back seat head rests. Those were the days.
I’ve always had an all over music taste and I just discovered this song recently. This song is easily my top 10 of all time. So ahead of its time, R.I.P. Jim Croce he should still be here.
fugu pinkeye Right! I was thinking that a major part of this song was missing. I was like “What The F**k?!” “Where’s Slim G’damnit!?”. So, yeah, then I read your comment and it all came back to me and I immediately chilled tha funk out. Thanks for that, chief. You did me a solid😉
My husband can sing and was in a band when we started dating. After we married, my Mom asked him to sing this song for her. She passed before she could attend a show of his, and after, he sang it for her and cried almost all the way through. She was my very best friend, and she loved my husband so much. I think of her every time I hear this. Thanks for the reaction.
Any time I hear Jim it automatically takes me back to the late 70s and my dad kicking me out of the house hearing his "house cleaning music" as I rode away on my bike.
Fun memories of my mom and dad laughing at me singing this in the backseat of the car when I was 4 years old. Apparently I used to belt out that Leroy was "baddest man in the whole DOWNtown" and "had a raisin in his shoe" One of my first favorite songs! Thanks for this video, Jamal. You make my day🤓❤️
Awww, that's SO cute! The innate innocence of children is very amusing & adorable. When I was little, I LOVED the song "Delta Dawn" (sung by Helen Reddy) to the point of suggesting it to my Sunday School church class teacher when she asked for a song recommendation! Well? it SOUNDS a bit like a soulful song that a church choir might sing! (to me at least) I had NO idea what it was "actually" about. Nor the very "adult" nature of the primary character in the song.
I love, love, love seeing younger generations appreciating older music. You can understand the lyrics, and sing along, while they were complimented with good music.
I like all of Jim Croce’s songs, but my favorite one is, “Operator”. Jamel, please do a reaction to “Operator”! Thanks, again for sharing YOUR gift with us!🌹
Jim Croce's songs are from his heart. Always loved I've Got a Name. I carry it with me like my daddy did. But I'm living the dream that he kept hid. I never knew my dad - he died at 37, more than a month before I was born.
That stunned look of amazement when you heard "Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone" 😅 Classic song, amazing reaction as always.
Amen..... I was in the 2nd Grade on the monkey bars, in my elementary school play ground when I heard the terrible news.. Actually went behind a school building and balled my eyes out...R.I.P. Mr. Legend..Jim Croce..💛🧡❤😇🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
When I was 7 or 8, my dad would wait until my mom wasn't home and play this record while we sang and danced around the room. My dad died about 6 months after Jim did, and I never hear this song without the fun we had. The memories we have around music are with us forever 🎵♥
I love how I heard this song 45 years ago and seeing Jamal really hear it for the first time brought me back to that moment...Jim C always paints a great picture with his musiscianship and genuineness. I also love seeing your reaction to new music in all of your videos. Music brings us together. Jim Croce once did a tour in Yugoslavia with this college band. All the songs were in English, but as Jim said, everyone understands music. Eveyrone had a good time. Keep up the good work Jamal.
I love your reaction videos, I'm now 61 and going through your lists helps me remember all of the great songs of the past I haven't heard in decades. Keep it up, you're the best.
Or possibly, there’s always someone more motivated. Someone might not be tougher and meaner, but the insanity and adrenaline rush of jealousy might make them fight harder.
It doesn't matter how big the guy is, you fight a guy who has better training, a dirtier fighter, or able to use a big man's size and muscle to their own advantage, those are the folks you don't ever want to mess with. Beware the man with only one gun. He probably knows how to use it.
Always felt Time in a Bottle's tempo adjustments that changed the feeling of the song were what made the song beautiful. The funny thing is how hard it can be to put into words what seemed so simple when I thought about it. Peace.
Dude, totally! I was a little kid and got tired of listening of listening to my father's John Denver cassette tapes, so I searched through his collection, found Him Croce's Greatest Hits, put it on, and started to dig this!
I think the 70s was the best decade of music ever. There was so many different types and genres of music. And agree with you 100%. Storytelling Songs Like This, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, wildfire, I'm not in love, oh what a night etcetera etcetera etcetera
Yeah they dont make them like this anymore. The 70s was deff the peak of musical expression. So many were making such good music. Then the 80s came and were just terrible some of the worst music ever produced 90s was good again and today its trash again
I love the expression from you especially because you like the older music. Great taste in music, I grew up listening to this classic this is my 92 year old mother's favorite song from Jim. My oldest brother used to play this for my mother RIP big brother.
I was so young when this came out, but it was my first favorite song. We had a converted basement where our record player was and I remember dancing and trying to sing along to this song as a kid. I was like 4 or so. Jim Croce will always be one of my touchstone musicians until I die, and this song was my introduction to him.
Jim was ready to quit when his career started taking off. Unfortunately, he never got to see the fruits of his years of suffering because he was tragically killed in a plane crash at the age of just 30yrs. He left behind a wife and a very young son. But we will always have his great songs.
Hard to imagine how legendary songwriters come up with these magic lyrics at such young ages. I'm about 30 now, and can't imagine writing anything as clever as this. Then you got guys like John Prine and Dylan who write incredible songs in their early twenties. It's so weird to think about.
Clyde Barrow He had actually written a letter to his wife and told her he thought he was giving it up when he got home. He mailed it. He was killed before the letter arrived. At least that’s the story I read once.
Unfortunately Croce's career never really took off. He was never able to be a full time musician. He always had to retain a day job. Soft rock's popularity did not last long.
Zenhael Cero Paul Simon wrote something pretty bizarre lyrics at a young age to. If you really listen to the words, it blows your mind how a 20 year old even thought that way.
Anything and everything by Jim Croce there's not a lot of songs by him but every one of them is a masterclass of Storytelling you can't go wrong with Jim Cro
There were a lot of storytelling songs back then, like Roger Whittaker's "The Last Farewell," Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," etc. Good times, even as a kid, in the 70s.
Another song of my childhood... dang we'd dance and sing song on radio barbaqueing in the back yard, cruising with windows down I love every Jim Croce Song RIP JIM CROCE HE'S SINGING WITH ANGELS NOW
I heard Jim wrote his songs based on true life experiences/people he came across. Thank you Jamel for your reaction on this one. He was a favorite in the day. Sad he had such a short life here. So talented. 💖
Jim Croce was one of the best story tellers next to Tom T. Hall. Jim could make you feel something through his music. It's like he was writing his songs for the listener in particular opposed to a massive audience. I keep hoping that one day there will be another Jim Croce.
My kids love Jim Croce! They know every word to the songs on this CD we play in the car. Yes. We have a hooptie but it works great! No need to download the songs when we have a disc. And First.
Just saw the E.L.O Mr. Blue sky video and saw this in my queue! This is in my top five of my favorite songs of all time. I'm so glad you could share in the JOY of this song. Thanks for spreading the music and the love.
This was the song of my childhood! I was about 5 when I first heard this song, and this has been one of the most catchy songs I have ever heard, and I am 55 now!
I was a young girl when this was out. One of my cousins used to sing, “ bad, bad Lee Boy Brown”. I think back now laugh about it. So funny. Back then we just danced around and had fun.
Operator. That Croce song always touched me, and I would feel like, even though it was so sad, he struggled to be kind about the whole situation! You Don’t Mess Around with Jim is good, too. Gone FAR too soon. Harry Chapin also. Taxi and Cat’s in the Cradle were great songs. And speaking of cats, have you checked-out Cat Stevens? He has a lot of really great songs as well. Peace Train, Father and Son, Another Saturday Night, Wild World was a favorite also. Songs from this time period get me riled-up! Music was awesome in the 60’s, 70’s and 90’s. Oh, I just thought of someone else you should check out sometime, who is no longer with us, Warren Zevon. Lawyers, Guns and Money/ Werewolves of London,/When Johnny Strikes up the Band/ Excitable Boy-that one has some wild lyrics! Stay healthy, stay safe, and as always, thank you!!
@@lauramariebrumm5131 just learned something new, .....since hearing this as a young teenager when it first came out, I always thought it was " under everybody's nose !
Cuz said he got a 32 just for fun and his pocket and a razor and a shoe and he's 6'4 ain't nobody messing with Leroy thank you for making me cry laughing I'm literally crying now
I LOVE your reactions, they are so much fun! I already know the music by heart, so I can focus on your facial expressions and your comments. Fabulous!!!
Jim Croce was one of the best storytellers in music history.
I wouldn't go that far..
I would. He was great!
@Adam Godfrey you don't mess around with Jim
Charlie Daniels is also pretty far up there
Yes.. Jason Isbell
Jim Croce was a master story teller - "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," "Time in a Bottle," "Operator," "Roller Derby Queen" (this one is fun!) - all gold.
I know he wrote, "Roller Derby Queen" about a women he actually met. Always reminds me of the old Bay City Bomber , Ann Calvello
"master story teller" doesn't even begin to describe him. 😀
It's a shame we lose Jim far too soon, but we're stuck with Jackass Bieber.
i would also throw in Rapid Roy the Stock Car Boy to this list. :)
🙂
Yes storyteller perfect description of Jim.
My grandmother used to play the hell out of this song on the piano when I was little. She passed years ago. Feeling like she’s stopping by to say hello to me personally😊
She definitely is.🥰
HUGS
Yup! That's the stuff! Her influence is alive and well... in you.
That must have been something to experience, your grandma playing the heck out of the piano. Sounds like good times and good memories.
Your grandmother had a badass music taste!
This guy didn't make a bad song. Rest in peace Jim taken way to soon but he lives through his music 🎶 and hopefully future generations carry him through time 🙏.
"Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone" is legit in my top five music lyrics ever. You could just picture it.
How?
@@bigsmoke5105 Well, I have been a paramedic for 24+ years, I have seen more than a few people that resembled "A jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone". My favorite description of a DOA was: (Motorcycle accident, high speed, rider thrown from the bike while wearing a low profile helmet) The cop walked up to our rig as we arrived, we asked where the patient was and what condition he was in, the cop replied "He's over there. And his face is did a fair impression of jello being scraped across pavement."
@@RLKmedic0315 damn
I was annoyed that Sinatra skipped it in his cover
I also love the lyric "and he loved to wear his ring on everybody's nose" this song is full of good descriptions. XD
His career was just taking off when, tragically he was killed in a plane crash in Natchitoches, La in 1973. His other hits include "Operator" "I Gotta Name" "Time In A Bottle" "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song"
What is it about all these legends going down in plane crashes
All these songs you list are amazing.
Joey Robison master story teller
@@WanderingWriter Jim Croce's was one of the dumbest. He'd agreed to do the concert before he got famous, and because he was an honorable man he still did it at a rate he didn't make any money off of. Add to that, the airfield inexplicably had a row of trees planted across the end of the runway, and that's what they hit. He shouldn't have been there. The trees shouldn't have been there. It never should have happened.
@@rileyandmike 😄
Nobody could tell a story in their songs like Jim Croce. He was gone too soon, killed in a plane crash just as his career was starting to take off.
d.m. sleeker I would add Marty Robbins in a story teller singer as well “El Paso”
Harry Chapin would like a word....But he died too soon also.
so many died that way.
I'd recommend Harry Chapin. Every song he wrote tells a story.
Mom has a record with Leroy Brown on it and it came with a picture of his son inside on the opposite side is the song's and lyrics
It's sad he left his little boy behind 😢
"The two men got to fightin', and when they pulled them from the floor, Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone!" - For my money this is one of the best lyrics in all of music.
I always liked songs where someone gets shot. Like in Marty Robbins' El Paso, "I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle, I feel the bullet go deep in my chest". But Jim's line here has all that graphic brutality, softened by the clever joke. Agreed, one of the best lyrics ever.
Songs that tell a story, just stick around longer imo.
Man
@@richpeltier9519 Marty Robbins " Big Iron"
When I was a kid, I remember every time this came on the radio, I would dance in the back seat of my moms car. It was this song along with "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and Stealers Wheel - "Stuck in the Middle with You." All three of those songs were my favorites! This was in the early 70s, before car seats and seat belts were a thing. My normal spot in the car, was standing on the back seat with my arms stretched across the back seat head rests. Those were the days.
I always say this was the first song I knew by heart. Sitting in the back seat of my mom's 73 Duster. Lol
I remember those days. Standing in the floor of the back seat straddling the hump. 😁
This & Linda Ronstadt’s cover of When Will I Be Loved.
LUV this guy, and this song.
I'm so glad he's being remembered. He was one of the best.
1973 released date,,
Now you have to do "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" by the same artist.
Yes, I like that one even more than this one.
@@alrivers2297 me too
Yep, got to do this one as well.
Exactly!
Came here to post the same thing. Also, It's A Great Day to Whoop Somebody's Ass by Paul Thorn.
Jim Croce had a ton of range. You Don't Mess Around With Jim, I Got a Name, and Time in a Bottle are all amazing!
Matt S Roller Derby Queen
And Operator (That's Not the Way it Feels)!! Don't forget about that too :)
I've always been fond of Workin' at the Carwash Blues
marshmello3455 oh I forgot that one! I’m old and had head and neck radiation, bleh not goin there!
@@apathy9990 honestly, i'm not convinced Jim Croce made any bad music. You name any of his songs, you name a classic.
I’ve always had an all over music taste and I just discovered this song recently. This song is easily my top 10 of all time. So ahead of its time, R.I.P. Jim Croce he should still be here.
Oh, Jim was taken away from us way too early. What a great storyteller, singer, musician. Wonderful music!
The partner to this one is "Don't Mess Around With Jim", another great story kind of song by Jim Croce
Yeah, but at least Leroy just took a massive beatdown. Big Jim, on the other hand, left the bar in a box.
Yes, have to do this song
@@rodneymontgomery1324 absolutely, lol
fugu pinkeye Right! I was thinking that a major part of this song was missing. I was like “What The F**k?!” “Where’s Slim G’damnit!?”. So, yeah, then I read your comment and it all came back to me and I immediately chilled tha funk out. Thanks for that, chief. You did me a solid😉
Such a classic! Queen even wrote a song in homage to this called "Bring back that Leroy Brown."
Oh shit, really? I'll have to check that out! Way cool!
My husband can sing and was in a band when we started dating. After we married, my Mom asked him to sing this song for her. She passed before she could attend a show of his, and after, he sang it for her and cried almost all the way through. She was my very best friend, and she loved my husband so much. I think of her every time I hear this. Thanks for the reaction.
I grew up listening to Jim Croce because of my Mom. I lost her 2 years ago. She was my best friend as well.
Any time I hear Jim it automatically takes me back to the late 70s and my dad kicking me out of the house hearing his "house cleaning music" as I rode away on my bike.
Everyone of Jim's songs are great.
If you don't have a tear in your eye while listening to Time In A Bottle, then you have no soul.
Fun memories of my mom and dad laughing at me singing this in the backseat of the car when I was 4 years old. Apparently I used to belt out that Leroy was "baddest man in the whole DOWNtown" and "had a raisin in his shoe" One of my first favorite songs! Thanks for this video, Jamal. You make my day🤓❤️
At least baddest man in the whole downtown makes sense. I bet your parents were happy you did use the real word lol
Awww, that's SO cute!
The innate innocence of children is very amusing & adorable.
When I was little, I LOVED the song "Delta Dawn" (sung by Helen Reddy) to the point of suggesting it to my Sunday School church class teacher when she asked for a song recommendation!
Well? it SOUNDS a bit like a soulful song that a church choir might sing! (to me at least) I had NO idea what it was "actually" about. Nor the very "adult" nature of the primary character in the song.
@@sharkdentures3247 Haha thats funny! I remember singing that one too😆
"Time in a Bottle" will bring a tear..beautiful..
I love, love, love seeing younger generations appreciating older music. You can understand the lyrics, and sing along, while they were complimented with good music.
My favorite line is "All the downtown ladies call him Treetop Lover; all the men just call him sir"
I like all of Jim Croce’s songs, but my favorite one is, “Operator”. Jamel, please do a reaction to “Operator”! Thanks, again for sharing YOUR gift with us!🌹
Operator is the best!
Jim Croce's songs are from his heart. Always loved I've Got a Name. I carry it with me like my daddy did. But I'm living the dream that he kept hid. I never knew my dad - he died at 37, more than a month before I was born.
Id do Karaoke to 'operator' sometimes.
Yes the best song!
He didn't have a bad song
That stunned look of amazement when you heard "Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone" 😅
Classic song, amazing reaction as always.
When Jim Croce was charming us with his music on the airwaves, his sudden death made you feel like you'd just lost your best friend 💔
Amen..... I was in the 2nd Grade on the monkey bars, in my elementary school play ground when I heard the terrible news.. Actually went behind a school building and balled my eyes out...R.I.P. Mr. Legend..Jim Croce..💛🧡❤😇🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@luisbohorquez7096 💞🌹❤
So very true. I was devastated to hear of his death. I was in high school. He was and still is my all-time favorite artist.
I couldn't believe he died so young, he was so amazing with words. Honestly, the best story telling artist out there.
When I was 7 or 8, my dad would wait until my mom wasn't home and play this record while we sang and danced around the room.
My dad died about 6 months after Jim did, and I never hear this song without the fun we had. The memories we have around music are with us forever 🎵♥
Listen to “Don’t mess around with Jim” if you haven’t yet. You will like the story if you haven’t.
Growing up, my mom rarely listened to or talked about music, but she told me Jim Croce's Time in a Bottle was her favorite song.
I loved the flash of joy that hit you when the opening bars started, yeah this is the song you thought it was
“My man looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces gone. WHAT HAPPENED LEROY?” 😂 the way you said that man
I guess that razor must have cut a hole in his shoe and fell out.
Late to your video but Jim was one cool cat and immensely talented. Check out the live versions, had hella charisma and the audience loved him.
I love how I heard this song 45 years ago and seeing Jamal really hear it for the first time brought me back to that moment...Jim C always paints a great picture with his musiscianship and genuineness. I also love seeing your reaction to new music in all of your videos. Music brings us together. Jim Croce once did a tour in Yugoslavia with this college band. All the songs were in English, but as Jim said, everyone understands music. Eveyrone had a good time. Keep up the good work Jamal.
I love your reaction videos, I'm now 61 and going through your lists helps me remember all of the great songs of the past I haven't heard in decades. Keep it up, you're the best.
Moral: There is ALWAYS someone tougher and meaner
Qui-Gon: There's always a bigger fish
Or possibly, there’s always someone more motivated. Someone might not be tougher and meaner, but the insanity and adrenaline rush of jealousy might make them fight harder.
It doesn't matter how big the guy is, you fight a guy who has better training, a dirtier fighter, or able to use a big man's size and muscle to their own advantage, those are the folks you don't ever want to mess with. Beware the man with only one gun. He probably knows how to use it.
Moral: don't fuck with another man's girl, especially in front of him
Survival Of The Fittest. Nature is the ultimate bitch.
My wife and I met his wife 20 years ago in San Diego at her restaurant called Croce's. Great night.
Thanks for the memories brother! He was an AWSOME storyteller!
RIP Jim 🙏🏽
I grew up with this, on the “radio!” Bad, Leroy Brown, Jim Croce, early 70’s; Master songwriter!
I think you'd really like "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" same kinda lesson but even more story driven
Jerry Reed's Version is the best!!!
I was thinking about "Don't Mess With Jim"...
Gotta love Croce!
Yep
Please react to this!
And a cool twist at the end. The main title lyric changes from Jim to Slim!
I love this song, but my favorite Jim Croce is "Time in a Bottle."
Always felt Time in a Bottle's tempo adjustments that changed the feeling of the song were what made the song beautiful. The funny thing is how hard it can be to put into words what seemed so simple when I thought about it.
Peace.
Mine too
The ultimate sing a long song, been doing it since I was a kid.
Yup me too on 8 track lol
For years I had You don't mess around with Jim stuck in my head and finally about two years ago figured out the artist and now I can't get enough
Dude, totally! I was a little kid and got tired of listening of listening to my father's John Denver cassette tapes, so I searched through his collection, found Him Croce's Greatest Hits, put it on, and started to dig this!
Moral of the story: no matter how big and bad you think you are, there will be someone if not bigger, but they certainly will be badder. RIP Jim
Such a great story teller RIP gone too soon
'I Got A Name' is a must as are 'Operator', 'Time In a Bottle', and "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song'.
My fav Jim Croce song is Time in A Bottle. I used to play the Heck out of that song on our organ when I was 8yrs old. Lol...✌✌✌
The early to mid 70s was a great time for the storytelling songs and songwriters.
I think the 70s was the best decade of music ever. There was so many different types and genres of music. And agree with you 100%. Storytelling Songs Like This, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, wildfire, I'm not in love, oh what a night etcetera etcetera etcetera
Yeah they dont make them like this anymore. The 70s was deff the peak of musical expression. So many were making such good music. Then the 80s came and were just terrible some of the worst music ever produced 90s was good again and today its trash again
One of my favorites. Jim Croce is gold,. I still have an 8 track of Jim and Ingrid Croce. Songs of my youth.
I love the expression from you especially because you like the older music. Great taste in music, I grew up listening to this classic this is my 92 year old mother's favorite song from Jim. My oldest brother used to play this for my mother RIP big brother.
Moral of the story: Dont matter how "big and bad" you are, don't go messing with another man's woman.
That's right most of us will put up a bigger fight for our woman than anything else! May bite off more than you can swallow...
@Brian Hensley That too!!
True
The point for me is being ok takeing a beat down he had a gun and a blade never used it!
Got his ass beat and he's still bad bad Leroy Brown!
Jim Croce did another similar tune "Don't mess around with Jim". Another cool story along these lines
Between Jim and Leroy, I prefer Jim. Well, actually Slim. LOL
Please do this song, it’s really good!
This brought a smile to my face. Thank you Jamel!
Jim Croce a legend
I was so young when this came out, but it was my first favorite song. We had a converted basement where our record player was and I remember dancing and trying to sing along to this song as a kid. I was like 4 or so. Jim Croce will always be one of my touchstone musicians until I die, and this song was my introduction to him.
Jim was ready to quit when his career started taking off. Unfortunately, he never got to see the fruits of his years of suffering because he was tragically killed in a plane crash at the age of just 30yrs. He left behind a wife and a very young son. But we will always have his great songs.
Hard to imagine how legendary songwriters come up with these magic lyrics at such young ages. I'm about 30 now, and can't imagine writing anything as clever as this. Then you got guys like John Prine and Dylan who write incredible songs in their early twenties. It's so weird to think about.
His son sings very well. Like father like son.
Clyde Barrow He had actually written a letter to his wife and told her he thought he was giving it up when he got home. He mailed it. He was killed before the letter arrived. At least that’s the story I read once.
Unfortunately Croce's career never really took off. He was never able to be a full time musician. He always had to retain a day job. Soft rock's popularity did not last long.
Zenhael Cero Paul Simon wrote something pretty bizarre lyrics at a young age to. If you really listen to the words, it blows your mind how a 20 year old even thought that way.
RIP Jim
😢😢😢😭😫😭😫
Love this song. It's one of those songs that really feel like the 70s.
Jamel, my dad and I love your videos. You have to do "You don't mess around with Jim" by CROCE. PEACE AND LOVE BROTHER MAN💗
The best part of watching you is when you look straight into the camera as you react, so fun.
Check out "I got a name" by Croce.
Fuck that do EVERY Jim Croce song ever! How bout it
@@Leftylobber good thinking.
I second "I got a name"
Kyle Coultas Yeah you can’t really go wrong with any of them lol.
Anything and everything by Jim Croce there's not a lot of songs by him but every one of them is a masterclass of Storytelling you can't go wrong with Jim Cro
The baddest man in the whole damn music game, is Jim Croce! PLEASE DO EVERYTHING FROM JIM CROCE 1000/10
Kyle Coultas yes!! All Jim’s songs are amazing!
He wrote most of his songs while he was in the Army at Ft. Jackson in North Carolina. Leroy Brown was a man he served with.
Pretty sure Ft. Jackson is in South Carolina though.
One of the more underrated bass lines of all time. This song is just great all around. Nice to see young people getting in touch with great music.
This guy was great, such a talent. Died way too young.
He was taking of
But his plane wouldn't
When I was a kid, there was a wrestler called Leroy Brown. They used to play this song when he came out.
Aslo had one called Junkyard Dog
That was Bad News Brown
There were a lot of storytelling songs back then, like Roger Whittaker's "The Last Farewell," Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," etc. Good times, even as a kid, in the 70s.
This is it!!! Jim Croce is to good! Operator, you don’t mess around with jim, time in a bottle, it goes on and on!
Still here for some Zappa.
Love your expressions! I first listened to this when I was 18... around 1974
YOU MAKE ME LAUGH JAMEL!! LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR REACTIONS!!
😂"Treetop Lover"! I knew that line would resonate!😅
I grew up listening to Jim Croce so it was nice to see someone's reaction to it. Love the video💜
Yes, you have to hear his "Don't mess around with Jim" now. You'll love it.
Another song of my childhood... dang we'd dance and sing song on radio barbaqueing in the back yard, cruising with windows down
I love every Jim Croce Song
RIP JIM CROCE
HE'S SINGING WITH ANGELS NOW
I heard Jim wrote his songs based on true life experiences/people he came across. Thank you Jamel for your reaction on this one. He was a favorite in the day. Sad he had such a short life here. So talented. 💖
When you turn your head... look straight into the camera... then "whoooo!" Cracks me up!
Haha! I love when he does that, too!!
Blood Sweat and Tears "Spinning Wheel" "You've Made Me So Very Happy" , "And When I Die"
A great cover of Spinning Wheel was a duet done by Engelbert Humperdinck and Gene Simmons.
Jim Croce was one of the best story tellers next to Tom T. Hall. Jim could make you feel something through his music. It's like he was writing his songs for the listener in particular opposed to a massive audience. I keep hoping that one day there will be another Jim Croce.
Not to take away from Jim at all, but another performer who is exceptional at that is Alan Jackson 🤠 A living legend in country music!!!
And, might I just add Gordon Lightfoot? Thank you!
Tom T. Hall just passed away. RIP
Another one of those classics you can't help but sing along with.
The greatest American songwriter that ever lived! He will always be my idol,and will always be the tattoo on my arm.
My kids love Jim Croce! They know every word to the songs on this CD we play in the car. Yes. We have a hooptie but it works great! No need to download the songs when we have a disc. And First.
Just saw the E.L.O Mr. Blue sky video and saw this in my queue! This is in my top five of my favorite songs of all time. I'm so glad you could share in the JOY of this song. Thanks for spreading the music and the love.
"I've got a name" by Jim Croce is my favorite
I agree! That’s my personal theme song. I love that song. He was an amazing artist and a super sexy man. And I love the Roller Derby Queen.
Mine too!
I ❤️ Jim Croce! "You Don't Mess Around with Jim''
This was the song of my childhood! I was about 5 when I first heard this song, and this has been one of the most catchy songs I have ever heard, and I am 55 now!
I was a young girl when this was out. One of my cousins used to sing, “ bad, bad Lee Boy Brown”. I think back now laugh about it. So funny. Back then we just danced around and had fun.
This song was inspired by an Army buddy that Jim had while he was in the Army. So there really was a 'Leroy Brown'.
Jim Croce has to be viewed live!!! Operator, You Don’t Mess Around With Jim
Operator is such a great song. I really feel like it is way underappreciated.
The Last Dragon! I haven’t seen that in years! One of the best movies! I’ll have to watch it soon.
You got to do you don’t mess around with Jim!!! It’s a companion to this song in many ways.
Arlo Guthry-Alice's restaurant. It's about 20 minutes but I'd recommend at least a listen. It's a well told story.
It's spelled Guthrie. Sorry I messed that up.
@@brianbyers4439 Go sit on the group W bench.
A Thanksgiving tradition!
Jim Croce had some great stuff out there..Great writer...gone too soon!
Operator. That Croce song always touched me, and I would feel like, even though it was so sad, he struggled to be kind about the whole situation! You Don’t Mess Around with Jim is good, too. Gone FAR too soon. Harry Chapin also. Taxi and Cat’s in the Cradle were great songs. And speaking of cats, have you checked-out Cat Stevens? He has a lot of really great songs as well. Peace Train, Father and Son, Another Saturday Night, Wild World was a favorite also. Songs from this time period get me riled-up! Music was awesome in the 60’s, 70’s and 90’s. Oh, I just thought of someone else you should check out sometime, who is no longer with us, Warren Zevon. Lawyers, Guns and Money/ Werewolves of London,/When Johnny Strikes up the Band/ Excitable Boy-that one has some wild lyrics! Stay healthy, stay safe, and as always, thank you!!
Roland the headless Thompson gunner too
James Smith Yes!!!
John Denver
Always always reminds me of "You don't mess around with Jim" I can't listen to one without the other
Love your reaction! Jim was amazing! RIP ❤
"He liked to wear his diamond rings on everybody's nose" is the most poetic description of a gangster I've ever heard.
I believe it is: "He likes to wave his diamond ring in front of everybody's nose" but your response is hysterical lol
@@lauramariebrumm5131 just learned something new, .....since hearing this as a young teenager when it first came out, I always thought it was " under everybody's nose !
"He likes to wear his diamond ring up under everybody's nose"... fact 😉😘
Yeah
@@lauramariebrumm5131 Nah, he punches them out while wearing it, thus "on everybody's nose".
Cuz said he got a 32 just for fun and his pocket and a razor and a shoe and he's 6'4 ain't nobody messing with Leroy thank you for making me cry laughing I'm literally crying now
Croce was an extraordinary story teller. You should check out "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" and/or "Time in a Bottle." Good one - thanks!!!
I LOVE your reactions, they are so much fun! I already know the music by heart, so I can focus on your facial expressions and your comments. Fabulous!!!
More Jim Croce please! Operator, I Got a Name, or I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song. He's one of my all time favorites!