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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…

ZZ Top

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)

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39. “Over You” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)

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38. “Mescalero” from ‘Mescalero’ (2003)

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37. “El Diablo” from ‘Tejas’ (1976)

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36. “Heartache In Blue” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)

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35. “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” from ‘Tres Hombres’ (1973)

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34. “Reverberation (Doubt)” from ‘Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye: A Tribute To Roky Erikson’ (1990)

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33. “Pincushion” from ‘Antenna’ (1994)

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32. “Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings” from ‘Fandango!’ (1975)

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31. “Francine” from ‘Rio Grande Mud’ (1971)

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30. “Arrested For Driving While Blind” from ‘Tejas’ (1976)

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29. “TV Dinners” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)

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28. “Dust My Broom” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)

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27. “It’s Too Easy Manana” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)

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26. “Sleeping Bag” from ‘Afterburner’ (1985)

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25. “She Loves My Automobile” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)

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24. “Heard It On The X” from ‘Fandango!’ (1985)

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23. “Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell” from ‘Rio Grande Mud’ (1972)

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22. “Just Got Back From Baby’s” from ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ (1971)

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21. “If I Could Only Flag Her Down” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)

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20. “Brown Sugar” from ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ (1971)

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19. “Flyin’ High” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)

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18. “Goin’ Down To Mexico” from ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ (1971)

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16. “Salt Lick,” single only release (1970) available on 'Chrome, Smoke & BBQ: The ZZ Top Box' (2003)

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15. “Chartreuse” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)

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14. “My Head’s In Mississippi” from ‘Recycler’ (1990)

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13. “Got Me Under Pressure (live)” from “Live From Texas” (2008)

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12. “I Thank You” from “Deguello” (1979)

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11. “I Gotsta Get Paid” from ‘La Futura’ (2012)

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10. “I Need You Tonight” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)

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9. “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)

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8. “Waitin’ For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago” from ‘Tres Hombres’ (1973)

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7. “Legs” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)

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6. “Just Got Paid” from ‘Rio Grande Mud’ (1972)

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5. “Sharp Dressed Man” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)

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4. “Cheap Sunglasses” from ‘Deguello’ (1979)

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3. “Gimme All Your Lovin’” from ‘Eliminator’ (1983)

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2. “Tush” from ‘Fandango!’ (1975)

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“La Grange” from ‘Tres Hombres’ (1973)

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Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.