The very promising career of Jim Croce was cut short by a tragic plane crash September 20, 1973. After a decade of playing every type of gig imaginable and holding down an assortment of jobs, Jim’s career broke through nationally in 1972 with the release of two albums that year: You Don’t Mess Around With Jim and Life and Times. Our song today hit #1 in 1973 and has been a staple at radio, along with several other Jim Croce classics ever since.