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)
THUG
ZZ Top Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So scoot over let me drive your car
Roll down the glass and give me some wind
lock all the doors I'm on the loose again alright!
I haven't sat behind a wheel like this
since that job in 1956
Can't wait till I can do it again
I had a friend down in Alcatraz
he had the money and machine guns stashed
We busted out June 21
we gonna rob, steal totin' our guns alright!
The lyrics to ZZ Top's song "Thug" tell the story of a rebellious criminal who is enamored with the idea of being a thug. The first verse begins with the singer, presumably the criminal, approaching someone who appears to be trustworthy and asking to borrow their car. The singer then proceeds to drive recklessly with the windows down, enjoying the thrill of being in control. In the second verse, the singer reminisces about the last time they drove a car like this, during a job in 1956. It's clear that this isn't the first time they've lived a life of crime. The final verse reveals that the singer has recently escaped from prison with the help of a friend who had a stash of money and guns. They plan to continue their life of crime and robbery, fully embracing the thug life.
Overall, the lyrics to "Thug" paint a picture of someone who is enamored with the concept of being a criminal and the power that comes with it. The singer enjoys the thrill of being in control and committing crimes, and seems to have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
Line by Line Meaning
You look like who you say you are
I believe that you are truly who you claim to be.
So scoot over let me drive your car
Please move over so that I can take control of the car and drive it.
Roll down the glass and give me some wind
Lower the car window and let in some fresh air.
lock all the doors I'm on the loose again alright!
Please lock all of the car doors because I am getting excited and feeling wild again!
I haven't sat behind a wheel like this since that job in 1956
It's been a long time since I've driven a car like this. The last time was during a job in 1956.
Can't wait till I can do it again
I am looking forward to driving like this again.
can't keep my nose clean livin' in sin alright!
I have trouble staying out of trouble because of my sinful lifestyle.
I had a friend down in Alcatraz
I used to have a friend who was imprisoned in Alcatraz.
he had the money and machine guns stashed
My friend had hidden money and guns.
We busted out June 21
On June 21, we escaped from prison.
we gonna rob, steal totin' our guns alright!
Now that we have escaped from prison, we plan to commit robberies and thefts while carrying our guns.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRANK BEARD, BILLY GIBBONS, DUSTY HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
alan burge
I think this amazing album re energised the group. People who didn't know them before discovered this group through this album. It set them up nicely in the 1980s. They became superstars. Huge !
Lord of the Riffs
No doubt about it. They went supernova for sure.
Stacy James Guitar
RIP to Dusty....the one man who could hold down the bottom for the "TOP" for 52 years👊🏼😤🇨🇱
Adam Vigil
Screwed to the floor. R I P Dusty.
Phil Brown
This is my very favorite ZZ Top song, featuring none other than the bass man, Dusty Hill. RIP Brother. 7-28-21.
Chai Garden
First song I put on
A.L.R.
Thug is my Favorite one too,not an easy decision with ZZ . I had a ticket bought for me to go see them with an ex bf, $64 ticket,which was a LOT to pay for a ticket ( mid 9O's),but my oldest son ended up having surgery on his foot that day. So,I didn't make it to the show. And the bf didn't even take someone else or give it away to a ANYONE. I would have given it to SOME fan,at least....but he wouldn't let me have it for the memory either. Lol.
Caner Guener
101%
Kenneth Brown
That bass guitar is just sick! 😁 R.I.P. Mr. Hill.
Scott Arten
I never knew ZZ were this good until i heard the full album.I mean, I heard a few popular songs of theirs but wow... listening to "Thug" on a good sound system you can really hear those base notes vibrate your neighbours walls 8-))