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)
Sharp Dressed Man
ZZ Top Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't know where I am goin' to
Silk suit, black tie (black tie)
I don't need a reason why
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man
I ain't missin' not a single thing
Cufflinks, stick pin
When I step out, I'm gonna do you in
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man
Top coat, top hat
But I don't worry 'cause my wallet's fat
Black shades, white gloves
Lookin' sharp, lookin' for love
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man
"Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top is a classic rock song that glorifies the virtues of dressing well. The song paints a picture of the ideal well-dressed man with a clean shirt, new shoes, silk suit, black tie, gold watch, diamond ring, cufflinks, and stick pin. The lyrics suggest that every girl is crazy about a well-dressed man and that dressing well is a guarantee to instant success.
The song is about the confidence that comes with dressing well and the attention that a sharp dressed man attracts. The imagery used in the lyrics suggests that the man is wealthy and powerful, with a top hat, top coat, black shades, and white gloves to complete the look. The message of the song is that a man who dresses well can accomplish anything he sets his mind to, and that people will always take notice and be impressed by his appearance.
In conclusion, "Sharp Dressed Man" is an upbeat and catchy song that celebrates the power of fashion and the confidence that comes with dressing well. The song encourages men to take pride in their appearance and to use fashion as a tool for success.
Line by Line Meaning
Clean shirt, new shoes
I am wearing my best clothes and looking my finest.
And I don't know where I am goin' to
Despite looking good, I am unsure of where I am headed in life.
Silk suit, black tie (black tie)
I am dressed formally in a silk suit and black tie.
I don't need a reason why
I don't need a reason to dress this way, I just do it because it makes me feel good.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
Women are attracted to a well-dressed man and will come to him quickly.
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man
Women are naturally drawn to someone who looks good in formal wear.
Gold watch, diamond ring
I am not missing any of the accessories that complete a well-dressed look.
I ain't missin' not a single thing
I have all of the accessories necessary to complete my look.
Cufflinks, stick pin
I have all the small details covered, from the cufflinks on my shirt to the stick pin on my lapel.
When I step out, I'm gonna do you in
When I make an appearance, I will turn heads and impress those around me with my good looks.
Top coat, top hat
I am wearing a top coat and top hat, making my outfit all the more impressive.
But I don't worry 'cause my wallet's fat
I am not worried about the cost of my clothes because I have plenty of money to spend on them.
Black shades, white gloves
I am wearing black shades and white gloves to complete my look.
Lookin' sharp, lookin' for love
I am dressed to impress and ready to find love.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
Women are drawn to my impressive outfit and come to me quickly.
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man
Women are naturally attracted to a well-dressed man, making me a popular choice among ladies.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1YoursTruly1
It’s a proven fact that this song can give anyone confidence!
@angelaleonard2434
Thank you, I send my so this song all the time, he had low self esteem but he got a great job, got contacts m, working out. And looks sharp everyday
@angelaleonard2434
Absolutely!!!
@MIZORAM_mafaka_hnamte
Rest in Peace Dusty Hill
- in just two days, Mike Howe of Metal Church, Joey of Slipknot and now Dusty. A horrible week for Rock world
@philiphalpenny3783
Rough 48 hours...
@sutusmihaly
..it's shattering..
@DanielBurns301
everyone thinks I'm crazy when I say it comes in 3's
@michellebliss1876
@@DanielBurns301 I never knew that till I started working for a retirement home and learned how true that term is
@aleccordierodemello1507
A real rough 48 hours
@stormhawk3319
What I love about ZZ Top was that they never took themselves too seriously. Sly, humorous lyrics and a sense of fun with their performances.