ZZ Top formed after Gibbons' previous band, Moving Sidewalks, disbanded in 1969. Within a year, they signed with London Records and released ZZ Top's First Album in 1971. Subsequent releases, such as Tres Hombres (1973) and Fandango! (1975), and the singles "La Grange" and "Tush", gained extensive radio airplay. By the mid-1970s, ZZ Top had become renowned in North America for their live act, including the Worldwide Texas Tour (1976–1977), which was a critical and commercial success.
After a hiatus, ZZ Top returned in 1979 with a new musical direction and image, with Gibbons and Hill wearing sunglasses and matching chest-length beards. With the album El Loco (1981), they began to experiment with synthesizers and drum machines. They established a more mainstream sound and rose to international stardom with Eliminator (1983) and Afterburner (1985), which integrated influences from new wave, punk, and dance-rock. The popularity of these albums' music videos, including those for "Gimme All Your Lovin'", "Sharp Dressed Man", and "Legs", gave them mass exposure on television channel MTV and made them prominent artists in 1980s pop culture. The Afterburner tour set records for the highest-attended and highest-grossing concert tour of 1986.
After gaining additional acclaim with the release of their tenth album Recycler (1990), and its accompanying tour, the group's experimentation continued with mixed success on the albums Antenna (1994), Rhythmeen (1996), XXX (1999), and Mescalero (2003). They most recently released La Futura (2012) and Goin' 50 (2019), a compilation album commemorating the band's 50th anniversary. By the time of Hill's death in 2021, ZZ Top had become the longest-running band with an unchanged lineup in the history of popular music. Per Hill's wishes, he was replaced by their longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis on bass.
ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 50 million records worldwide. They have won three MTV Video Music Awards, and in 2004, the members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked Gibbons the 32nd greatest guitarist of all time. The band members have supported campaigns and charities including Childline, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and a fundraiser for the Delta Blues Museum.
Studio albums
ZZ Top's First Album (1971)
Rio Grande Mud (1972)
Tres Hombres (1973)
Fandango! (1975)
Tejas (1976)
Degüello (1979)
El Loco (1981)
Eliminator (1983)
Afterburner (1985)
Recycler (1990)
Antenna (1994)
Rhythmeen (1996)
XXX (1999)
Mescalero (2003)
La Futura (2012)
I'm Bad I'm Nationwide
ZZ Top Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a blues man in back, and a beautician at the wheel
We going downtown in the middle of the night
We laughing and I'm jokin' and we feelin' alright
Oh I'm bad, I'm nationwide
Yes I'm bad, I'm nationwide
Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac
They sportin' short dresses, wearin' spike-heel shoes
They smokin' Lucky Strikes, and wearing nylons too
'Cause we bad, we nationwide
Yeah we bad, we nationwide
Well I was movin' down the road in my V-8 Ford
I had a shine on my boots, I had my sideburns lowered
With my New York brim and my gold tooth displayed
Nobody give me trouble 'cause they know I got it made
I'm bad, I'm nationwide
Well I'm bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, I'm nationwide, yes man!
The song "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" by ZZ Top depicts the band's enjoyment of cruising the open road and living the high life. The opening verse describes the singer's escapades in a car with a blues musician and a beautician. They are driving to the downtown area at night, laughing and having a good time. The refrain, "I'm bad, I'm nationwide," serves as a boastful exclamation of their wild experiences.
The second verse highlights the luxuriousness of the group's ride, as they drive a new Cadillac. The singer describes the women in accompanying them, who are wearing risqué clothing and smoking Lucky Strikes. Together, they acknowledge their "bad" behavior and the idea that it extends across the country.
In the final verse, the singer showcases his newfound wealth and image, with a V-8 Ford, shining boots, lowered sideburns, and a gold tooth. He asserts his dominance, and nobody dares to challenge him. Overall, the song celebrates the band's confidence, freedom, and excess.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I was rollin' down the road in some cold blue steel
I was driving down the road in my blue car.
I had a blues man in back, and a beautician at the wheel
There was a musician in the backseat and a hairstylist driving.
We going downtown in the middle of the night
We're traveling to the city at night.
We laughing and I'm jokin' and we feelin' alright
We're having a good time laughing and joking.
Oh I'm bad, I'm nationwide
I'm cool and popular across the country.
Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac
We're cruising the highway in a new Cadillac.
I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back
I had an attractive woman in the front seat and three more in the back.
They sportin' short dresses, wearin' spike-heel shoes
The women are wearing short dresses and high heels.
They smokin' Lucky Strikes, and wearing nylons too
The women are smoking cigarettes and wearing nylons.
'Cause we bad, we nationwide
We're cool and popular across the country.
Well I was movin' down the road in my V-8 Ford
I was driving a powerful V-8 engine Ford car down the road.
I had a shine on my boots, I had my sideburns lowered
I had shiny boots and trimmed sideburns.
With my New York brim and my gold tooth displayed
I'm wearing a New York style hat and showing off my gold tooth.
Nobody give me trouble 'cause they know I got it made
People don't mess with me because they know I'm successful.
I'm bad, I'm nationwide
I'm cool and popular across the country.
Well I'm bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, I'm nationwide, yes man!
I'm very cool and popular across the country, yes sir!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK BEARD, BILLY GIBBONS, DUSTY HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tobylowe4482
With just one note Billy Gibbons blows my mind. One of the greatest bands on the planet. RIP Dusty, you’ll be missed by us all, but I’m glad that ZZ Top will keep rollin down the highway.
@matthewpicard3976
Three notes in you know who is playing
@ronaldhartke982
Give respect were it's earned ,...The Reverend Billy Gibbons......
@dianastevens9777
❤️❤️
@dianastevens9777
@@ronaldhartke982 👍
@callingchristiano
Top Guitarist !!
@ZootSuitCooter
God Bless You, Dusty, you are deeply missed.
@Powerplay60
Was thinking the same thing
@LoganPEade
In 1974 I was 14 and had worked all year after school and weekends to buy $900 bucks worth of Pioneer home stereo. My brother came home on leave from the Navy and put an LP from a group I'd never heard of on the platter and cranked it up, it was "Tres Hombres," 💥 mind blown! RIP Dusty 😢
@StijndeJong-Stijntsje
Speaking as a drummer, can I just say that Frank Beard is giving a masterclass here? Less is more, even with a big kit like that. Awesome.