Their style has mixed Texas blues with the harmonica-laced swamp blues sounds of the likes of Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester, both of whom the T-Birds have covered. Their third album, 1981's 'Butt Rockin'', took the band closer to classic rhythm and blues while featuring added piano and brass section sounds played by additional musicians. The band broke into the mainstream in 1986 with their album 'Tuff Enuff'. The single of the same name was featured in the Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster film 'Tough Guys' alongside their follow-up single, which they titled "Wrap It Up". A lively, powerful tune, "Tuff Enuff" has been played frequently over the years on many rock n roll stations. The band's music was also played in John Cusack's 1987 movie 'Hot Pursuit'.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds' next album, titled 'Hot Number', fell off the charts quickly and alienated many of the bands' long-time fans due to its slick, pop-oriented sound. The band then began a long series of line-up changes and obscure, yet somewhat improved, albums throughout the 90s. Drummer Mike Buck left the band in 1980, and guitarist Jimmie Vaughan left in 1990. More recently, the group has had line-up made up of original member Kim Wilson alongside guitarist/vocals Nick Curran, guitarist Kirk Flecther, Jimi Bott on drums, Ronnie James Weber on bass, and former Canned Heat member Gene Taylor on keyboards.
The official T-Birds website is at http://www.fabulousthunderbirds.com/
Alumni of the T-birds include:
Duke Robillard Fran Cristina Gene Taylor Jimi Bott Keith Ferguson Kid Bangham Kirk Fletcher Mike Buck Preston Hubbard Richard Innes Ronnie James Weber Steve Hodges Willie Campbell Kid Ramos Jimmie Vaughan Nick Curran Troy Gon
Powerful Stuff
The Fabulous Thunderbirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Store window dummies even turn their heads
Sho' 'nuff, powerful stuff
When I saw her I burned my black book
Made a blind man take a second look
Sho' 'nuff I think I'm in love
And that's Powerful Stuff
Red copper hair, dig the wig it's unreal
Sho' 'nuff, powerful stuff
Ole man Atlas holding up the world
He'd drop everything for that girl
Sho' 'nuff. I think I'm in love
And it's Powerful Stuff
Her hip shakin' whip snakin' cooked my goose
I tell you that babe she's a fine papoose.
I love her mind, but here's the deal
She's got the kind of girl who rides the manmobile
She opens up her eyes and turns on the juice
Pullin' like a magnet and she don't turn loose
Sho' 'nuff, powerful stuff
When she starts rockin'
don't touch that dial
She's a hundred-mega-kilowatt
Woman child
Sho' 'nuff I think I'm in love
Think I'm in love-I think I'm in love
And that's powerful stuff
In "Powerful Stuff," The Fabulous Thunderbirds describe the magnetism of a woman so powerful that men can't resist her. Her physical appearance is striking, with a Naugahyde skirt, black stacked heels, and red copper hair, which lend her an unreal quality that appeals to all onlookers, even dummy storefront mannequins. The singer is equally smitten, as he burned his little black book of women's phone numbers upon seeing her for the first time, and made a blind man take a second look. Her sheer presence is so potent that even a mighty figure like Atlas, who holds up the weight of the world, would drop everything for her. The woman's appeal is not limited to her outward appearance, as her mind is also captivating. When she's around, one can't help but feel the electricity of her "hundred-mega-kilowatt" presence.
Line by Line Meaning
She walks down the street a-knockin' 'em dead
She's walking down the street looking extremely attractive and turning heads.
Store window dummies even turn their heads
Even the inanimate store mannequins are amazed by her beauty.
Sho' 'nuff, powerful stuff
Indeed, she is very attractive and captivating.
When I saw her I burned my black book
I gave up all my other romantic interests when I saw her.
Made a blind man take a second look
Even a blind man couldn't resist turning around to admire her.
Sho' 'nuff I think I'm in love
I believe I have fallen in love with her.
And that's Powerful Stuff
Her beauty and charms are incredibly strong and influential.
Naugahide skirt, black stacked heels
She's wearing a skin-tight skirt made of synthetic leather and tall black heels.
Red copper hair, dig the wig it's unreal
She has bright red hair, which might be a wig, and it's so amazing to look at it's almost unreal.
Ole man Atlas holding up the world
In Greek mythology, Atlas is a titan who's tasked with holding up the sky. Here he symbolizes the weight and importance of the world's attention on this girl.
He'd drop everything for that girl
Even Atlas himself would stop holding up the world if it meant he could be with her.
Her hip shakin' whip snakin' cooked my goose
Her sexy dance moves and sultry demeanor are driving me wild with desire.
I tell you that babe she's a fine papoose
She's an incredibly beautiful and desirable woman.
I love her mind, but here's the deal
I appreciate her personality and intellect, but her physical allure is what really captivates me.
She's got the kind of girl who rides the manmobile
She's the kind of woman who can make men feel powerful and confident simply by being with her.
She opens up her eyes and turns on the juice
When she looks at you or interacts with you, she exudes energy and attraction.
Pullin' like a magnet and she don't turn loose
Her magnetic pull is incredibly strong and unrelenting.
When she starts rockin'
When she starts moving or dancing seductively.
Don't touch that dial
Don't change the channel or ignore her, because she's worth watching.
She's a hundred-mega-kilowatt
She's incredibly powerful and attractive.
Woman child
She's a woman, but she exudes youthful energy and notoriety.
Think I'm in love-I think I'm in love
It's not just a fleeting feeling, I really believe I've fallen in love with her.
And that's powerful stuff
Her ability to captivate and draw me in is an incredibly strong and influential force.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT STOCKTON FIELD, MICHAEL JAMES HENDERSON, WALLY WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kevin charbonneau
Awesome song. Totally underated