I POLLed It On The ILX! - ILM Artist Poll #110 - ZZ Top - Results Thread

https://imgur.com/hOfZv8H

Let's Enjoy & Get It On, Shall We?

Damnit, that was supposed to be a version of this:

https://emuseum.mfah.org/internal/media/dispatcher/297384/preview

nice! lets enjoy and get it on

I'll start out by being a little self-indulgent. I didn't really hype the side/early projects ballot like I should have, so--surprise!--I was the only one who did one. So here's that ballot, a quick run through the Moving Sidewalks singles.

https://dangerousminds.net/content/uploads/images/made/content/uploads/images/the-moving-sidewalks-i-want-to-hold-your-hand-tantara-November-1968-2_465_467_int.jpg

5. "I Want To Hold Your Hand"
Single, 1968
1 Point (1 Vote)

The Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3_nm-zUHFE

https://img.discogs.com/BururCkB_zDyzW5Hzf8z9ei4pHs=/600x479/smart/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/A-684681-1416922564-6310.jpeg.jpg

4. "What Are You Going To Do?"
Single, 1967
2 Points (1 Vote)

The Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVG2S1mVY3Q

https://dangerousminds.net/content/uploads/images/made/content/uploads/images/Jimi_Hendrix_with_The_Moving_Sidewalks_Fort_Worth_Texas_February_17_1968_copy_465_367_int.jpg

3. "Need Me"
Single, 1967
3 Points (1 Vote)

The Track

i am wearing a Big Hat™️ especially for the rollout!! YAAAAY

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wDkOwxqKmsM/TKtQfPoxFGI/AAAAAAAAEO4/molS12OH98s/s640/Moving+Sidewalks+-+Jones+studio+1967.bmp.jpg

2. "Every Night A New Surprise"
Single, 1967
4 Points (1 Vote)

Orginal Single Recording
Wand Records Rerecording

https://wittliffcollections.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/mspromo6.jpg?w=640

1. "99th Floor"
Single, 1967
5 Points (1 Vote, 1 #1)

The Track

Moving On, next up is the Music Video side poll, of which there were 4 takers voting for nine videos, all of which will be shared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaIZWjItReI

8 (Tie). "I Gotsta Get Paid"
2012
1 Point (1 Vote)

https://vimeo.com/128438119

8 (Tie). "Pincushion"
1994
1 Point (1 Vote)

wooooo

never heard any Moving Sidewalks at all, will check out later

same

oh wow never seen the pincushion video but its great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJP8wVoTufg

7. "Burger Man"
1991
4 Points (1 Vote)

^^Everybody needs to take 4 minutes and just wallow in the bugfuck majesty of "Burger Man"

incredible. they clearly had a good time making their videos

from the "Burger Man" comments

amber pelish
2 years ago
my dad, Jimmy Pelish, was the burgerman... he went blind for a week from falling in that water with the hair gel gooped on, and he was still as happy as could be. being in that video was a lot of fun for him. thanks ZZ TOP for giving him some fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wRHBLwpASw

5 (Tie). "Sharp Dressed Man"
1983
5 Points (2 Votes)

now that one I remember

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKJymx2KDWo

5 (Tie). "Sleeping Bag"
1985
5 Points (2 Votes)

^^Featuring Tracy Walter (Miller from Repo Man & Bob The Goon from the Burton Batman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUDcTLaWJuo

4. "Legs"
1984
10 Points (4 Votes, 1 #1)

I voted for the "Pincushion" video never having seen it; just a behind-the-scenes "making-of" news item at the time, probably on MuchMusic. I knew it contained Billy and Dusty on wires, and pins coming through the wall, which to me deserved a vote sight unseen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae829mFAGGE

3. "Gimme All Your Lovin'"
1983
10 Points (3 Votes, 1 #1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-6mI708yWc

2. "TV Dinners"
1983
11 Points (3 Votes, 1 #1)

^Kind of want an Eliminator-themed racing game arcade console

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_4ULKpkLNc

1. "Rough Boy"
1986
13 Points (3 Votes, 1 #1)

I'll be back tomorrow w/the albums rollout...and perhaps a few tracks?

Rough Boy is pure art. I was the #1 vote

I forgot about their matching blue tracksuits & white caps in the tv dinners video. Peak 80s camp.

otm

tv dinners was my last cut from my tracks ballot so the least i could do was vote that weird ass video number one

There were 13 Albums ballots, with 12 releases receiving votes, and 6 of those titles getting widespread love.

https://img.discogs.com/q2E615bo26x0_AJJn0Qw7BPi0GQ=/fit-in/593x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1070986-1259638440.jpeg.jpg

6. Rio Grande Mud
1972
8 Points (5 Votes

https://img.discogs.com/VR4sQGK0ST0Hp85sIXy2OpNQvnU=/fit-in/600x593/filters:strip_icc():format(webp):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5208734-1439909776-1800.jpeg.jpg

5. Fandango!
1975
15 Points (6 Votes)

the studio cuts on fandango are fantastic

https://img.discogs.com/T2e5vv1oHXcleMmeWlL5D3y2lQg=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1291640-1367093438-1325.jpeg.jpg

4. Eliminator
1983
28 Points (11 Votes, 2 #1's)

xp yes, shame about the other side

the live cuts aren't bad by any means, but you'd hope that a band as creatively red hot as the top were at the time could deliver more than 5 new studio songs with an lp

I think they were just touring too much to write/record at that specific time, but yeah it's a mixed bag. The expanded edition has more live cuts, but are there any studio outtakes at all from this period, like on that (non-re-recorded) box set I still need to hear?

The live side is more like "here's another facet of the ZZ Top experience" rather than a stretch of music you'd want to relisten to.

I don't think there are any. The only box set rarities have been remixes, radio-exclusive singles, and non-LP singles.

The live side of Fandango! smokes btw, wtf?

the live version of "heard it" from the expanded version with full dusty vocals is incredible

^^ yes

One of my favorite things about the live part of Fandango! is there isn't much (if any) doctoring, so there's mic shrieks and amp buzz; there's even a five or so second channel drop out on the rampaging "Backdoor Medley".

BTW, I believe the live bonuses on the Fandango! & Trees Hombres remasters are all Deguello-era or thereabouts.

yeah i'm pretty sure that live "heard it" is this one from german television (1980)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTHV4yYg3r8

either way, it smokes

https://lgsenses.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/zztop_tejas.jpg

3. Tejas
1976
36 Points (9 Votes, 4 #1's)

too low

whaaat

poor Deguello

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Qv8OOXwcL._SX466_.jpg

2. Degüello
1979
39 Points (11 Votes, 2 #1's)

The Tejas gatefold cover looks like they were going for Tales from Topographic Badlands.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41lTNpt9ciL.jpg

https://img.texasmonthly.com/2016/01/zz-top-tres-hombres-mexican-feast3-copy1.jpg?auto=compress&crop=faces&fit=fit&fm=pjpg&ixlib=php-1.2.1&q=45&w=800

1. Tres Hombres
1973
48 Points (13 Votes, 5 #1's)

The Tejas gatefold cover looks like they were going for Tales from Topographic Badlands.

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, October 1, 2021 2:28 PM (two minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

snappy kakkie (dance of the dawn)

ohh somehow I missed Eliminator before! very cool

thred move fast

shoutout to whoever the other #1 voter was for Degüello

Tejas over Eliminator seems like a very nu-ILM stance, not a dis just an observation

eliminator is an album of peaks and valleys, imo, while tejas is a sustained vibe that they never really achieved or attempted again

Agree, Tejas was my #1 for that reason.

Since it didn't place in this album countdown, I'm curious how El Loco will fare in the tracks poll.

Ha, the top 4 albums are exactly as they appeared on my ballot (I had La Futura at #5).

There were 15 Tracks Ballots, with 76 different numbers receiving votes, from which a "Top 41" was selected.

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7TK_vIdql8/W7GMagE57MI/AAAAAAAABUw/3blliZKz9ck5KXuJaabRT5955CM-9oNzgCLcBGAs/s1600/4907580226_da0b95f2de.jpg

40 (Tie). “Enjoy And Get It On”
Tejas, 1976
40 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Mix

https://www.hivplusmag.com/sites/default/files/2012/12/10/VintageCondomx400_HIVPLUS.jpg

40 (Tie). “Sheik”
Tres Hombres, 1973
40 Points (2 Votes)

The Track

"Enjoy and Get It On" was my #9: so many little funny digressions and hooks from the entire band, including some great slide guitar, and Billy singing in his rare "drawl" voice rather than his more-common "scratchy" voice.

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/americandad/images/9/90/Billy_Gibbons.png/revision/latest?cb=20100127162142

39. “Francine”
Rio Grande Mud, 1972
41 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Spanish Version
Six Pack Version

Losing that image probably for the best. Try this instead:

https://img.discogs.com/Oz2J49dQl_IrzHBzk8PCHjGmwi0=/fit-in/500x500/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3425778-1348744028-7146.jpeg.jpg

i think i voted for "sheik," that's a great groove

“Sheik” is awesome, one of the songs I totally forgot about when I made my ballot.

https://www.defunkd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Stormcrow_11691324096427.jpg

38. “Stages”
Afterburner, 1985
42 Points (3 Votes)

Music Video
Japanese TV, Miami Vice Pants, Ridiculous Toupees

https://bravewords.com/medias-static/images/news/2019/5DC1E63C-zz-top-40th-anniversary-of-deguello-album-celebrated-on-inthestudio-billy-gibbons-dusty-hill-frank-beard-interviewed-image.jpeg

37. “HiFi Mama”
Degüello, 1979
42 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Live In Germany, 1980

I’m not much of a fan of this one, it sounds like it could have been recorded by Kenny Loggins for Footloose. Even the single sleeve is as Miami Vice as could possibly be and still retain some semblance of ZZ Top.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/ZZ_Top_Stages.jpg

I’m not much of a fan of this one, it sounds like it could have been recorded by Kenny Loggins for Footloose. Even the single sleeve is as Miami Vice as could possibly be and still retain some semblance of ZZ Top.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/ZZ_Top_Stages.jpg

I’m not much of a fan of this one, it sounds like it could have been recorded by Kenny Loggins for Footloose. Even the single sleeve is as Miami Vice as could possibly be and still retain some semblance of ZZ Top.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/ZZ_Top_Stages.jpg

Bloody phone…

Damn AfterburnerMobile.

Got another tie, and I'll return w/more tracks on Monday.

afterburner leaves me cold in general, i don't think i voted for any of its tracks

"hi fi mama" is cool with its dusty performance and 7/b9 chords, but i think i left it off, just cause there are other zz top 12-bars that i like a little more

hmm listening back and i definitely could've voted for it. 20 tracks is not a lot

https://carscoms.com/img/1955-chrysler-new-yorker-chrysler-hemi-project-rat-rod-282918043421/0.jpg

35 (Tie). “Mexican Blackbird”
Fandango!, 1975
46 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version

https://storage.googleapis.com/hippostcard/p/c7fccb0e0254f358f5068397d6be1504-800.jpg

35 (Tie). “Move Me On Down The Line”
Tres Hombres, 1973
46 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version

aww Hi Fi Mama TOO LOW

"Move Me On Down The Line" also made my ballot, love it

Afterburner is the one ZZ Top album I never, ever listen to. Even the RCA albums are better.

eliminator is an album of peaks and valleys, imo, while tejas is a sustained vibe that they never really achieved or attempted again

One of the cool things about Eliminator is that it has this whole futurization vibe, particularly in the album tracks which are almost all kind of throwbacks as songs underneath the sheen: "I Need You Tonight" is a Hi Records-style soul love jam; "Dirty Dog" and "Bad Girl" are straight-up '60s Garage; and "If Could Only Flag Her Down" wouldn't be out of place in the songbooks of T-Bone Walker or Hank Ballard. There's an expansiveness that they never quite had before, and never really had again.

Buddy Guy knows what's up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHwlBz4ekCw

Rogermexico just curious, do you have examples of those fkn Thorogood clones? I’m struggling to think of any. ZZ Top’s combination of Texas roadhouse blues and MTV glitz seems so singular to me. (I actually like George a lot fwiw, but feel like his approach was much more purist. Bad to the Bone, his breakthrough, also predates Eliminator by a year.)

Charlie Sexton maybe?

I've heard about a critical term that didn't take off called "Blue Wave", which was meant to cover New Wave-influenced Blues/Roots oriented performers of the early '80s (ZZ Top, Huey Lewis, the Rockpile gang, Fab T-Birds, and in a broader application, less New Wavy guys like SRV and Thorogood).

Yeah, Tuff Enuff by the T-Birds is a good one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyVcSkSnPjA

For many years part of the official Driver's Ed curriculum in Texas was having to watch a video anthology of those ads hosted by Thunderbirds singer Kim Wilson.

yeah fab t-birds really what I have in mind there, tho obv there’s a whole incestuous Texas blues gtr scene thing there.

weirdly, tho he comes out of that I don’t think of Charlie Sexton that way at all. he’s carved out his own style and signature licks. it’s a damn shame “under the wishing tree” has disappeared into the “not on any streaming service” memory hole.

Billy's said the other big influence on streamlining their sound on Degüello (aside from New Wave) was hearing the Antone's/Rome Inn Blues band scene (Thunderbirds, Paul Ray & The Cobras, Triple Threat Revue--the latter pair featuring a young Stevie Vaughan), which was very 'back to basics'.

Ironically, the T-Birds finally broke big with "Tuff Enuff", which was sort of a fusion of Eliminator and that other bar band w/synths triumph of 1983, Sports.

Feel like Robert Cray sort of fits? No synths or new wave crossover aspirations, but I’m pretty sure the first time I was made aware of Strong Persuader was via either MTV or VH1?

Yeah, Cray came in right at the end of it, and was a bigger and longer-lasting critic's pet than most of the aforementioned artists too.

More Blue Wave: J. Geils Band, Sanctuary & onwards.

Their conversion even closely mirrors ZZ Top's, except their release calendar was a little faster, and they slowly fell apart after their Eliminator moment in Freeze-Frame.

I wonder if ZZ Top wish they came up with the "Concealed Weapons" video concept before Geils did.

^^Probably why "Woke Up With Wood" never got an official single release.

https://www.lifesafer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/stevie-wonder-drunk-driving.jpg.optimal.jpg

34. “Arrested For Driving While Blind”
Tejas, 1976
48 Points (3 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live New Year's Eve '77
Live In Germany 1980

good song, better title

i missed that "move me on down the line" placed. one of those fun songs that i like to categorize as "zz stones"

https://cdn.theatlantic.com/thumbor/ohgRQYlaYHDcmW-UVUEQPUrBu9s=/0x147:2047x1213/960x500/media/img/mt/2017/08/RTRJCL1/original.jpg

33. “Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell”
Rio Grande Mud, 1972
51 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version
T.K. Hulin: "I'm Not A Fool Anymore"

Hmm, this one is kind of pro forma to me.

it's pretty, but a lil too long. i never really thought they were suited to making a slow burner like this one. could use some keys.

#33 seems about right here tbh

https://clickamericana.com/wp-content/uploads/Vintage-80s-7-Eleven-stores-from-1984-2-750x547.jpg

32. “My Head’s In Mississippi”
Recycler, 1990
52 Points (3 Votes)

Music Video
Live 2010s(?)

Not being familiar with Recycler I discovered this via the Rancho Texicano comp. When I saw them in 2019 it was one of the few non-mega-blockbuster hits in their setlist. It's not astoundingly great, but I like this return to their John Lee Hooker-isms a lot.

I think it being included on the '92 hits album (and all subsequent comps) really helped its staying power; it's also somewhat surprisingly become a Classic Rock radio staple of sorts. In the quoted interviews on wiki, Billy implies that working on it got the band functioning as a unit again in the studio.

Recycler has a soft spot in my heart cuz I remember buying it when it came out with my own scratch at the time, "My Head's In Mississippi" is probably the best thing on it (the video for "Burger Man" aside)

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ae/81/f7/ae81f744a3ed2f7c1d9a8ae1641d738c.jpg

31. “Blue Jean Blues”
Fandango!, 1975
58 Points (3 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In Texas 2008
Reaction Video

great pic!

I like this but I don't think it made my ballot

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/11/d4/95/11d4956ac502a4012dccecd5a578f566.png

30. “She Loves My Automobile”
Degüello, 1979
62 Points (3 Votes)

The Track
Live In Germany 1980
Live On TV w/Willie Nelson

https://aquariumdrunkard.com/_newness/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/calexico.jpg

29. “Asleep In The Desert”
Tejas, 1976
79 Points (5 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version

yayyy I voted for this, a unique moment in their catalog

Didn't vote for this as a track, but it was part of the reason why Tejas was my #1 album.

https://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/media/__sized__/canonical_images/feature/Duel_duel_canonical-resize-1200x0-50.jpg

28. “Ten Dollar Man”
Tejas, 1976
80 Points (3 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version

https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000603758956-65x3ed-t500x500.jpg

27. “I Got The Six”
Eliminator, 1983
82 Points (4 Votes)

The Track
Rehearsal/Demo Version (from Lindon Hudson's archives)

https://fffmovieposters.com/wp-content/uploads/53786.jpg

26. “Sleeping Bag”
Afterburner, 1985
83 Points (5 Votes)

Music Video
12-Inch Mix
Live 1991
I, Tonya scene

That "Sleeping Bag" 12-inch is fire.

yes it is

I know I mentioned this on the polling thread but the nod to “back in black” in the chorus is so choice.

oh wow a few that i voted for

"asleep in the desert" - beautiful tex-mex instrumental, and an ideal closer for their weirdest record
"ten dollar man" - rollicking I-bVII-IV banger with an amazing dusty vocal and some of my fav screeching gibbons guitar sounds (and hints of deguello-style slickness in the rhythm guitar). was my #3.
"i got the six" - another dusty banger and my highest-rated track from eliminator. love the bawdy single entendre of the chorus, and the driving drum machine. a buttrock anthem scrubbed to an immaculate sheen.

"Ten Dollar Man" was my #8, unusual in that the tone seems genuinely angry rather than their usual mode of detached amusement.

Thinking about Afterburner, what if it hadn't wound up being a New Jersey? Could ZZ Top ever have remained truly giant stars, or were there limitations to how popular they could have ever been?

I recommend checking out that "I Got The Six" demo I linked to: it's from Hudson's own account and he includes some text screens explaining the behind the scenes work that went into Eliminator (plus his bitterness about getting fucked over). Wish there were (any) more of these tapes out there.

just catching up and also created a playlist to listen along with this.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5TPUD7qltIYU86wQhcZtMY?si=339355471d444fe6
i think only one of my picks has shown up so far.

Thinking about Afterburner, what if it hadn't wound up being a New Jersey? Could ZZ Top ever have remained truly giant stars, or were there limitations to how popular they could have ever been?

I think the only way they could have pulled that off they would have to had 'pulled an Aerosmith' and brought in song doctors/outside producers etc. They were so hermetically sealed off by Bill Ham, and God help anybody coming in with their own outlook (just ask Lindon Hudson!).

Of course, five years between Afterburner and Recycler (and Recycler being what it is) didn't help.

XP Thanks Spottie for doing the Spotify!

https://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/retromusings/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Hanes-1954-LIFE-11-Jan-1954.jpg

25. “A Fool For Your Stockings”
Degüello, 1979
83 Points (4 Votes)

The Track
Live In Germany 1980 with bonus "Funky Dogs and Nasty Kings", which...

http://assets.rootsvinylguide.com/pictures/funky-kings-funky-kings-1976-usa-stereo-arista-lp-al-4078-n-m-only-album_14443602

24. “Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings”
Fandango!, 1975
85 Points (4 Points)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live On Jools Holland 1996

I ranked "Stockings" much higher, but that's okay. I don't actually think it's a particularly great song, just a groove I like a lot.

Fun Trivia: "A Fool..." is other Classic Rock tune featured in the original version of SNL's "Schmidt's Gay" ad parody.

As seen here: https://vimeo.com/169759649

nasty dogs has a killer groove. love how its a short song that fades out for the last 30 seconds like its some epic

http://www.kitfoster.com/images/2009-12-9_58Peugeot403SeatsWeb-Large.jpg

23. “I Wanna Drive You Home”
El Loco, 1981
88 Points (4 Votes)

The Track

love "fool for your stockings," probably the slinkiest groove on an album where "listen to this slinky groove" is the name of the game

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-35e2b3f7b2e54060f8f1b74b56c1a0b3

22. “Pearl Necklace”
El Loco, 1981
95 Points (5 Votes)

The Track

^The Day I Finally Learned What That Song Was Really About...That Was A DAY

now THAT'S my idea of a ZZ Top groove

more zz stones, except this one is "shattered"

https://images.thestar.com/Oahu-WAqKvEftZbb9eyKhdXcJos=/650x460/smart/filters:cb(2700061000)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/life/travel/2016/05/21/hitchhiking-has-become-a-lonely-activity-since-the-1970s/main-rita-and-barb.jpg

21. “Precious and Grace”
Tres Hombres, 1973
114 Points (5 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In Germany 1980
QOTSA & Mark Lanegan Live In Germany 2001

...and that's it for today. Please enjoy this video of Billy Gibbons making Pumpkin Tamales

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_aarHHSXl0

Rhythm of “Pearl Necklace” is where I really hear the nod to Devo.

Nice graphics, Grisso!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02365/dominatrix_2365548b.jpg

20. “Got Me Under Pressure”
Eliminator, 1983
119 Points (5 Votes, 1 #1)

The Track
Live On The Tube 1983
Live In Texas 2008

Too low! Maybe my favorite off Eliminator

Great song. Another where the intro sounds sorta Devo to me. Seems like I don't hear this one on classic rock radio, or at least not as often as "Legs" or "Sharp Dressed Man."

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e7d832cf7e216815af75813d041f686db371033/c=0-124-3768-2253/local/-/media/2018/06/16/USATODAY/USATODAY/636647414488533771-GTY-462470628-70418044.JPG?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

19. “Tube Snake Boogie”
El Loco, 1981
122 Points (7 Votes)

The Track
Live In Germany 1980
Live On The Tube 1983

Even though the songwriting basically just paraphrases Fats Domino/Dave Bartholomew's "All By Myself", with a bit more added sexual innuendo, simply the sound of this makes me happy. One of my favorites. "Blow your top, blow your top!"

loving this rollout and these images <3

https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000416344851-90yjau-t500x500.jpg

17 (Tie). “I Gotsta Get Paid”
La Futura, 2012
132 Points (7 Votes)

The Track
Live In Montreaux 2013
"25 Lighters" By DJ DMD Feat. Lil' Keke & Fat Pat Music Video

fuck yeah

nice to get a late career track on here

they should've covered more texas rap tracks. would die to hear billy gibbons croak out "ridin dirty"

...or "Wanna Be A Baller"!

BTW, DJ DMD eventually went Born-Again, and this happened...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4X4NtcIzoA

yeah the idea was just sitting right there.

he should do an album with devin the dude

I probably would have voted for this if I had a few more slots, it shows how much their latter-day songs could benefit from actual memorable hooks.

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/hbz-the-list-cowboy-boots-gettyimages-3241883-1502116131.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=480:*

17 (Tie). “It’s Only Love”
Tejas, 1976
132 Points (7 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version

driiives me craaaaaazayy

https://www.totalwine.com/dynamic/490x/media/sys_master/twmmedia/hcf/h79/13995640389662.png

16. “Brown Sugar”
ZZ Top’s First Album, 1971
142 Points (6 Votes, 1 #1)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live 1997
Live From Gruene Hall 2019

I wonder why "It's Only Love" didn't appear on their 1977 Best of; it was actually their third highest-charting single up to that point. Possibly they already felt that Tejas was an outlier record?

brown sugar my #1

a perfect intro and drop

it's funny that "it's only love" (their "tumbling dice") places just ahead of "brown sugar" (which is not their "brown sugar")

*just behind

Love this song, the toughest removal from my ballot

https://medias.spotern.com/spots/w640/76/76106-1532336916.jpg

15. “Rough Boy”
Afterburner, 1985
155 Votes (7 Votes)

The Track
Live 1994
Billy W/Jeff Beck Live

155 Points, that is

this is the only afterburner song i return to. still didn't vote for it tho

I'm still disappointed that Billy never does tell us why he's a rough boy (unless the guitar solo is his explanation).

https://img.discogs.com/Sm0X8Lzayc-OAt-JxwxCvSsKw9Q=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4888073-1497827205-6124.jpeg.jpg

14. “I Thank You”
Degüello, 1979
163 Points (7 Votes)

The Track
Live 1979
Live On The Test 1980
Live In Germany 1980
Sam & Dave Original
Sam & Dave Live On Ed Sullivan 1969

a little late, but I had "I gotsta get paid" high on my ballot. i don't think 17 is wrong, but imho it's a top ten, kinda for the same reason I rated Eliminator so much higher than I planned to.

BFG has on the one hand stuck to a pretty narrow lane... but within that lane, even 40 years into a career and with nothing to prove he seems to never stop exploring or engaging with the broad landscape of pop. the riff is up there with his best, and fun as hell to play, and the "5 bixonic expandoras exploding at once" tone is epic af.

this isn't a great late career ZZ Top track; it's a great ZZ Top track.

"Rough Boy" made my ballot, but in retrospect I think I should have cut it for a more deserving track, maybe "I Gotsta Get Paid." It's okay, but not one of my favorites.

XP One of things that's great about it is that "25 Lighters"--lyrics aside--is actually a pretty breezy Hip Hop track, so Gibbons or Rubin or whomever gets the idea to present it ala "99 Problems".

It swags harder than basically all Nü Metal.

rough boy was my #1, it’s so great!

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64x6GZg7pig/W-2KmvGLdTI/AAAAAAAAzi8/gdbkSXbCkywcd8aVYkXxOSmKKeX3f1ZjwCLcBGAs/s1600/15%2BSeco%2B2.jpg

13. “El Diablo”
Tejas, 1976
166 Points (7 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In Germany 1980

fucking love this song, especially the outro.

i love the way dusty's crude slap bass interacts gibbons' rippling arpeggios during those instrumental interludes.

and that weirdly frenetic 16th note shuffle that beard plays under the otherwise fairly laid-back piece.

Great point, beard's skittering really helps give the track an additional eeriness in a way I can't quite put a finger on

Love to see this track so high

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BBUxvfcVq68/TDZq1jKuntI/AAAAAAAABHg/4Yz6pcVq-Bk/s1600/zz.JPG

12. “Legs”
Eliminator, 1983
172 Points (8 Votes)

The Track
Single Mix
"Metal Mix"

https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1962-Mack-Front-View-630x473.jpg

11. “Master of Sparks”
Tres Hombres, 1973
179 Points (7 Votes, 1 #1)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Shinyribs Live Cover

...and that's it for today. Please enjoy this video of Billy Gibbons making guacamole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9yvRv4Cazo

Rancho Texicano (my go-to ZZ Top if that hasn’t been apparent) includes both the original “Legs” and the dance mix, which seemed like a useless redundancy at first, but the remix I now realize is a sonic work of art.

"El Diablo" (my #7) and "Master of Sparks" (#1)! I love the minor-key ominous mood on both of these, the ethereal atmospheric guitars over the propulsive bottom that voodoo chili mentions. It helps that the lyrics are a little out of the ordinary as well, it makes the songs stand out.

are either of those canon zztop songs? seems like high placement but also pretty cool to see them this high

these BFG cooking ad/videos are so good thank you

Ikr? If they decide to slow down the touring he could totally carry a Food Network series.

idk if El Diablo is canon but it sure stood out on relistening, I wanna make a DJ edit of that outro

Don't know all the albums well enough to vote but Master of Sparks would have been my #1.

Recapping:

40 (Tie). “Enjoy And Get It On”
40 (Tie). “Sheik”
39. “Francine”
38. “Stages”
37. “HiFi Mama”
35 (Tie). “Mexican Blackbird”
35 (Tie). “Move Me On Down The Line”
34. “Arrested For Driving While Blind”
33. “Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell”
32. “My Head’s In Mississippi”
31. “Blue Jean Blues”
30. “She Loves My Automobile”
29. “Asleep In The Desert”
28. “Ten Dollar Man”
27. “I Got The Six”
26. “Sleeping Bag”
25. “A Fool For Your Stockings”
24. “Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings”
23. “I Wanna Drive You Home”
22. “Pearl Necklace”
21. “Precious and Grace”
20. “Got Me Under Pressure”
19. “Tube Snake Boogie”
17 (Tie). “I Gotsta Get Paid”
17 (Tie). “It’s Only Love”
16. “Brown Sugar”
15. “Rough Boy”
14. “I Thank You”
13. “El Diablo”
12. “Legs”
11. “Master of Sparks”
10.?

https://alcalde.texasexes.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ZZtopBEST.jpg

10. “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers”
Tres Hombres, 1973
185 Points (8 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In Germany 1980
Motörhead Cover
Van Halen Live Cover

the top flirted with heaviness on tres hombres much more than they did on future albums. it's appropriate that motorhead covered this one, they didn't have to change much.

http://www.iamnotastalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ScreenCap228.jpg

9. “Gimme All Your Lovin’”
Eliminator, 1983
202 Points (9 Votes)

The Track
Live On The Tube 1983
Live On Crossroads W/Brooks & Dunn

"Gimme All Your Lovin'" is one of the best "turn that sucker UP!" hits on classic rock radio for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozauyowDz3E

8. “Tush”
Fandango!, 1975
275 Points (10 Votes, 1 #1)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In Germany 1980
Live In 1982
Dazed and Confused Vandalism Scene
Joan Jett Cover
Roy Head Trio: "Tush Hog"

https://img.discogs.com/vAaEQO2Mwgj8aUe_xEwwaqSuOgw=/fit-in/500x486/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3918085-1349187052-3372.jpeg.jpg

Pic sleeve is alltime. Song was my #2. There are 8 songs better than this?

my #1, easily

Sorry, 7 songs better? Math is hard...

https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/how-to-write-a-hard-rock-classic-in-five-minutes-billy-gibbons-tells-the-incredible-story-of-zz-tops-tush

how to make an awesome song awesomer ^

i ain't askin for much!

are there any other enduring pop or rock songs that use a yiddish word so prominently? i would venture not, unless someone wrote a song called "schmuck" or something

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ua5Yh8JLXU

^^About Rob writing a hit song called "Bupkis".

Isn't the yiddish tush pronounced like "push" rather than the song's pronunciation like "hush" though? I was always confused by that pronunciation in the song. I just read somewhere that it's texas slang for a feral hog.

aka "tusk hog" spoken by a toothless redneck was shortened to "tush".

Isn't the yiddish tush pronounced like "push" rather than the song's pronunciation like "hush" though?

yes

it always confused me too!

top ten coming in hot

are there any other enduring pop or rock songs that use a yiddish word so prominently?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ8kKGQOJiI

https://gr8erdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/vlcsnap-2016-01-20-06h32m46s78.png

7. “Sharp Dressed Man”
Eliminator, 1983
280 Points (12 Votes)

The Track
Live On The Tube 1983
TopPop Clip 1985
Live On The Tonight Show 1986

https://250722-778774-raikfcquaxqncofqfm.stackpathdns.com/images/handbook/entries/BB/border_radio.jpg

6. “Heard It On The X”
Fandango!, 1975
320 Points (12 Votes, 1 #1)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In Germany 1980
Los Super Seven Cover

Genuine lol at the graphic for Sharp Dressed Man!

"heard it on the x" is my #1! a fucking ripper, and also just a good old-fashioned tune about rock and roll radio

I so now want a Fiesta grocery store in my neighborhood.

heard it on the x SMOKES

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e4/72/09/e47209e59fd5df0b01433aed4406034d--cross-country-cadillac-eldorado.jpg

5. “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”
Degüello, 1979
329 Points (12 Votes, 3 #1’s)

The Track
Live In Germany 1980
Live In 1982 (+"Ten Foot Pole")
Dwight Yoakam Cover

Just catching up on the rollout - am loving the images!

yesss to #5

this was all over rock radio when I first started listening in 1979

Heard it on the X goes nonstop, I feel like I just realized how great it is when listening for this poll

probably was overexposed as a child, the classic rock station in my hometown nicknamed itself "The X" (WXRX) and played it a ton

I'm Bad I'm Nationwide my #1, feels like it encapsulates everything great about zz top (swaggering but also hilarious, rocks, unexpected left turns in the arrangement, etc.)

yeah the images are fun

it's easy to think about the novelty of "sharp dressed man" and forget about how much gibbons' guitar sizzles

https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2962/2962031_sa.jpg

4. “Just Got Paid”
Rio Grande Mud, 1972
332 Points (11 Votes, 2 #1’s)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In Germany 1980
Mastodon Cover

I like rio grande mud but this just towers over the rest of the album imo

the perfect zz top song. all three members bring it.

I remember hearing R*peman’s cover version and having a minor head-explodey “Steve Albini likes ZZ Top?” moment.

They have kind of a moment in the "underground" scene around then, right? Albini's band, Meat Puppets with "Huevos," Sonic Youth's "Eliminator Jr." I feel like there's one or two more I can't think of

Black Flag used to play Eliminator over the PA between sets.

Pet Shop Boys shouted them out too...iirc there's an Eliminator (the car) reference in the PSB movie.

now i'm imagining neil tennant deadpanning "when the hound dog barkin' in the black of the night/stick my hand in my pocket, everything's all right"

@ 0:52 in the trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26kf2nZgFGI

'Way Cool Jr.' by Ratt is a pretty obvious Billy Gibbons riff stylization. They even throw in a bit of haw haw at the beginning.

self-xp and @ 24:12 in the film itself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke89lFyj630

two of the remaining 3 are obvious... but i'll admit i did not anticipate even a top 10 for "hot, blue and righteous"

also i love the artist and the song but wow, Joan Jett does not sound like she has any serious interest in being taken downtown to look for tush.

loving the covers tho. mastodon kills it.

pretty sure you're joking rogermexico, but i'm fairly certain the third song isn't "hot blue"

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e8/23/19/e823192a043c54dc6c85a597fb2ed2b8--s-sunglasses-vintage-sunglasses.jpg

3. “Cheap Sunglasses”
Degüello, 1979
373 Points (13 Votes)

The Track
Live On The Test 1980
Live In Germany 1980

great song but the live version is what really sold me on it

no matter how many times i hear it, i always laugh at how billy belts out the "oh yeah!" after the "but what really knocked me out..." line

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8_cZ6NL3nY/VMlUkd399UI/AAAAAAAAGWs/nVl6saylUSs/s1600/la-grange-chicken-ranch-ron-scott-500x314.png

2. “La Grange”
Tres Hombres, 1973
392 Points (13 Votes, 3 #1’s)

The Track
Six Pack Version
Live In 1982
Live At Gruene Hall
Live On Howard Stern

“got me under pressure” is such a jam. vocals in the second verse are fucking incredible.

"la grange" is a perfect song.

what else is there to say besides "a how how how how"

what else is there to say besides "a how how how how"

otm

It was basically a coin flip for me between "La Grange" and the winner. I opted for the one I've heard on the radio a million times, yet still gets me excited, no mean feat. "La Grange" it was.

have mercy!

pretty sure you're joking rogermexico, but i'm fairly certain the third song isn't "hot blue"

― grove street (party) direction (voodoo chili), Wednesday, October 6, 2021

reckon you might be right on both counts :)

"Leila" for the win!

https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/867246a0-b662-00f0-833a-3c1879b5c914/full/843,/0/default.jpg

1. “Waiting For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago”
Tres Hombres, 1973
421 Points (14 Votes, 2 #1’s)

The Tracks
Live In Germany 1980
Live At Crossroads 2010

The only unanimous pick?

I... didn't vote for it.

lol

Nice Poll y'all! I didn't vote because I only knew Tres Hombres and the radio hits but I enjoyed the hell out of the rollout and playlist.

lol God and Bill Ham intended for “Waiting For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago” to be voted on as one track, but they did NOT require that Grisso vote for it.

pretty great top ten really. cant front. was really fun to do a full dive into zz top and put a list together for this.

strikethrough didnt place

tracks

Brown Sugar
La Grange
Rough Boy
Just Got Paid
Waitin' for the Bus
Mexican Blackbird
Cheap Sunglasses
Heard it on the X
Precious and Grace
Balinese
Sharp Dressed Man
Hi-Fi Mama
She Loves My Automobile
Pearl Necklace
Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Blue Jeans Blues
Tush
I Thank You
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide

albums

Tejas
Fandango!
Tres Hombres
Deguello
Rio Grande Mud

videos

Rough Boy
Sleeping Bag
TV Dinners
Gimme All Your Lovin
Legs

thanks for doing it grisso

great poll, grisso. love this band!

my ballot

Tracks
Heard It On The X
Waiting For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago
10 Dollar Man
La Grange
I Got The Six
Just Got Paid
Tush
El Diablo
It's Only Love
Sharp Dressed Man
Cheap Sunglasses
I Gotsta Get Paid
Fool For Your Stockings
Precious & Grace
Balinese
Brown Sugar
Gimme All Your Lovin
Low Down In The Street
Have You Heard?
Asleep In The Desert

Albums
Tejas
Tres Hombres
Eliminator
Fandango
Deguello

Music Videos
TV Dinners
Rough Boy
Gimme All Your Lovin
Sharp Dressed Man
I Gotsta Get Paid

My ballot:

SONGS
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
La Grange
Waitin’ for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago
Cheap Sunglasses
Master of Sparks
Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
I Got the Six
She Loves My Automobile
El Diablo
Arrested for Driving While Blind
Tush
It’s Only Love
Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings
Tube Snake Boogie
Bar-B-Q
Brown Sugar
Squank
Belt Buckle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHZUVPpfCn8

ALBUMS
Tres Hombres
Degüello
Tejas
Eliminator
La Futura

Circling back to the PSB thing:

The use of real sounds under the music gives it a filmic quality and Mendelsohn even went as far as to include a recording of the ‘ambience’ from inside a 19th-century church in Knightsbridge. “We went to the Brompton Oratory to record some live effects on a little two-track Nagra tape recorder, and that’s actually on the record somewhere,” he says, and you can hear it in the “Father forgive me” section. “I know Neil and Chris wanted it to be completely over the top. At the time I was making that track, I was listening to a lot of ZZ Top. So I sort of sent it in that direction a little bit – the insistent heaviness of it.”

From: https://www.classicpopmag.com/2018/01/pet-shop-boys-made-album-actually/

Also this Re: "Can't Take My Eyes Off You/Where The Streets Have No Name"

Neil: "The extended mix really sounds like ZZ Top, I think. When I went to America to work for the American version of Smash Hits I heard ZZ Top for the first time, and there were two of their songs I particularly liked, 'Sharp Dressed Man' and 'Legs.' I loved the combination of electric guitars and drum machines.… And I think this sounds a little bit like that."

From http://www.geowayne.com/newDesign/lists/songinfluences.htm

PSB and OMD in ZZ Mutual Appreciation Society Frenzy

great poll, thanks for doing it C Grisso, I'm sorry I missed the original call as I would have tried to submit a ballot

My ballot. I went for "Rhythmeen" and "What It Is Kid" even though I knew they had no chance of placing. Those are the two latter day Top songs that really got me interested in the band after years of indifference. Their RCA years are super cool to me, even though the only song they do live from that era anymore is "I Gotsta Get Paid." It speaks to the strength of their back catalog that they play nothing but big hits for an hour plus and it doesn't leave time for any deep cuts.

Albums:
1. Tres Hombres
2. Deguello
3. Tejas
4. Fandango
5. Eliminator

Songs:
1. La Grange
2. Tush
3. Bus/Jesus
4. Heard it in the X
5. Sharp Dressed Man
6. Cheap Sunglasses
7. Brown Sugar
8. I’m Bad I’m Nationwide
9. Fool For Your Stockings
10. Just Got Paid
11. Blue Jean Blues
12. It’s Only Love
13. Tube Snake Boogie
14. Legs
15. Rhythmeen
16. What It Is Kid
17. My Head’s in Mississippi
18. Asleep in the Desert
19. Rough Boy
20. Gimme All Your Lovin

I didn't vote in this because I've only very recently gotten properly into ZZ-Top, but listening to these records I am consistently astonished at what a great drummer Frank Beard is. Somehow both incredibly tight and loose at the same time. Tejas and Degüello are my favorites currently. Am I correct that these two (Tejas in particular) are their funkiest?

jfc sorry for using so many adverbs there

El Loco has some New Wave Funk.

Should have been #1:

https://rave.dj/44P2VR7JdtM2Ag

Thanks for doing this poll C Grisso, it was awesome. Here's my ballot (strikethroughs didn't make it)

Songs:
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Cheap Sunglasses
Waitin' for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Heard It on the X
I Thank You
Shiek
Avalon Hideaway
Got Me Under Pressure
Lowdown in the Street
It's Only Love
Legs
Master of Sparks
Enjoy and Get It On
Asleep in the Desert
(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree
I Gotsta Get Paid
I Wanna Drive You Home
La Grange

Albums:
Degüello
Tejas
Tres Hombres
Eliminator
ZZ Top's First Album

Results Roundup:

Side Projects/Early Stuff:

5. Moving Sidewalks: “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
4. Moving Sidewalks: “What Are You Going To Do?”
3. Moving Sidewalks: “Need Me”
2. Moving Sidewalks: “Every Night A New Surprise”
1. Moving Sidewalks: “99th Floor”

Music Videos:

8 (Tie). “I Gotsta Get Paid”
8 (Tie). “Pincushion”
7. “Burger Man”
5 (Tie). “Sharp Dressed Man”
5 (tie). “Sleeping Bag”
4. “Legs”
3. “Gimme All Your Lovin’”
2. “TV Dinners”
1. “Rough Boy”

Albums:

6. Rio Grande Mud
5. Fandango!
4. Eliminator
3. Tejas
2. Degüello
1. Tres Hombres

Tracks Poll:

40 (Tie). “Enjoy And Get It On”
40 (Tie). “Sheik”
39. “Francine”
38. “Stages”
37. “HiFi Mama”
35 (Tie). “Mexican Blackbird”
35 (Tie). “Move Me On Down The Line”
34. “Arrested For Driving While Blind”
33. “Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell”
32. “My Head’s In Mississippi”
31. “Blue Jean Blues”
30. “She Loves My Automobile”
29. “Asleep In The Desert”
28. “Ten Dollar Man”
27. “I Got The Six”
26. “Sleeping Bag”
25. “A Fool For Your Stockings”
24. “Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings”
23. “I Wanna Drive You Home”
22. “Pearl Necklace”
21. “Precious and Grace”
20. “Got Me Under Pressure”
19. “Tube Snake Boogie”
17 (Tie). “I Gotsta Get Paid”
17 (Tie). “It’s Only Love”
16. “Brown Sugar”
15. “Rough Boy”
14. “I Thank You”
13. “El Diablo”
12. “Legs”
11. “Master of Sparks”
10. “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers”
9. “Gimme All Your Lovin’”
8. “Tush”
7. “Sharp Dressed Man”
6. “Heard It On The X”
5. “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”
4. “Just Got Paid”
3. “Cheap Sunglasses”
2. “La Grange”
1. “Waiting For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago”

No "Pan Am American Highway Blues" or "She's a Heartbreaker"? That 2nd side of Tejas is subtly great.

agreed, one year later--those two would both be top 20 for me--I also think this whole record just SOUNDS unbelievably good