ZZ Top: Their 40 Best Songs, Ranked
ZZ Top is an American institution and a very rare one. Up until the passing of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021, the band has had no lineup changes since Billy…
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND – JUNE 24: (L-R) Dusty Hill, Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top perform on the Pyramid Stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 24, 2016 in Glastonbury, England. Now its 46th year the festival is one largest music festivals in the world and this year features headline acts Muse, Adele and Coldplay. The Festival, which Michael Eavis started in 1970 when several hundred hippies paid just £1, now attracts more than 175,000 people.
(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)ZZ Top is an American institution and a very rare one. Up until the passing of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021, the band has had no lineup changes since Billy F. Gibbons, Hill and Frank Beard got together in 1969.
Considering this, many wondered whether ZZ Top would continue. The band quickly put any of that buzz to rest the day after Hill's death. In a statement from Gibbons, he said, "As Dusty said upon his departure, 'Let the show go on!' And ... with respect, we'll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes...Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, 'Give Elwood the bottom end and take it to the Top.' He meant it, amigo. He really did." (The Elwood mentioned in the statement is Elwood Francis, ZZ Top's veteran guitar tech.)
They released their debut, ZZ Top's First Album, in 1971. Their most recent (and likely final) studio album, La Futura, produced by Rick Rubin, was released in 2012. It was their strongest effort -- by far -- since 1983's Eliminator.
Of course, Eliminator helped introduce ZZ Top to a slew of new fans thanks to the album's three massive hits: "Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs." Each of these songs had music videos that were in heavy rotation on MTV, which launched about 18 months prior to the release of Eliminator.
As expected, a number of songs from Eliminator are featured. However, plenty of songs from La Futura pop up often in our list of the band's best songs, too. A true rarity, ZZ Top is a band with something to say when they were well over four decades into their career. And if it turns out to be their last, that's even more rare: a legendary band who went out with a classic album.
40. “Thug” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)
Warner Records39. “Over You” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)
Universal Music38. “Mescalero” from ‘Mescalero’ (2003)
Sony Music37. “El Diablo” from ‘Tejas’ (1976)
Warner Records36. “Heartache In Blue” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)
Universal Music35. “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” from ‘Tres Hombres’ (1973)
Warner Records34. “Reverberation (Doubt)” from ‘Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye: A Tribute To Roky Erikson’ (1990)
Warner Records33. “Pincushion” from ‘Antenna’ (1994)
Sony Music32. “Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings” from ‘Fandango!’ (1975)
Warner Records31. “Francine” from ‘Rio Grande Mud’ (1971)
Warner Records30. “Arrested For Driving While Blind” from ‘Tejas’ (1976)
Warner Records29. “TV Dinners” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)
Warner Records28. “Dust My Broom” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)
Warner Records27. “It’s Too Easy Manana” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)
Universal26. “Sleeping Bag” from ‘Afterburner’ (1985)
Warner Records25. “She Loves My Automobile” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)
Warner Records24. “Heard It On The X” from ‘Fandango!’ (1985)
Warner Records23. “Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell” from ‘Rio Grande Mud’ (1972)
Warner Records22. “Just Got Back From Baby’s” from ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ (1971)
Warner Records21. “If I Could Only Flag Her Down” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)
Warner Records20. “Brown Sugar” from ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ (1971)
Warner Records19. “Flyin’ High” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)
Universal Music18. “Goin’ Down To Mexico” from ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ (1971)
Warner Records16. “Salt Lick,” single only release (1970) available on 'Chrome, Smoke & BBQ: The ZZ Top Box' (2003)
Warner Records15. “Chartreuse” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)
Universal Music14. “My Head’s In Mississippi” from ‘Recycler’ (1990)
Warner Records13. “Got Me Under Pressure (live)” from “Live From Texas” (2008)
Eagle Rock12. “I Thank You” from “Deguello” (1979)
Warner Records11. “I Gotsta Get Paid” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)
Universal Music10. “I Need You Tonight” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)
Warner Records9. “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)
Warner Records8. “Waitin’ For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago” from ‘Tres Hombres’ (1973)
Warner Records7. “Legs” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)
Warner Records6. “Just Got Paid” from ‘Rio Grande Mud’ (1972)
Warner Records5. “Sharp Dressed Man” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)
Warner Records4. “Cheap Sunglasses” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)
Warner Records3. “Gimme All Your Lovin’” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)
Warner Records2. “Tush” from ‘Fandango!’ (1975)
Warner Records“La Grange” from ‘Tres Hombres’ (1973)
Warner Records
