Sunday, July 11, 2010

There'll Always Be Someone Tougher Than You: Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown By Jim Croce





Whether it's conquerors of antiquity or even the local ganglord, once some attains a reputation for being tough, people know when to make a path. While he has the time, he'll make the most of it by consolidating his hold on people and his territory. Once he accomplishes that, he thinks he's untouchable and no one would dare contest his authority. Unfortunately, that mode of thinking will eventually set him up for a fall and when that happens, he'll fall real hard. That's the lesson that I learned from the song "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce.

This was the first of Jim Croce's songs that I grew to appreciate. It tells the story of a neighborhood toughie who was feared by everyone. He had it all: Physical build. fancy clothes and guns, crime money until he started flirting with a wife of jealous man who stood up to him. After brutal fight, Leroy was all busted up and his air of invisibility as well as his was shattered. How the mighty had fallen.

What lesson did I learn from this song? You may the top dog commanding the fear and respect of your subjects but it won't last long. One day, someone will come along who'll be stronger and tougher than you. When that day comes, your ruling days are over. It's the cycle of life because they'll always be someone tougher than you when the day comes.

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