ZZ Top - La Grange (With Lyrics)

"La Grange" is the hit song from ZZ Top's 1973 album "Tres Hombres". The song charted highest at number 41. Compared to the Top 10: "You're So Vain" - Carly Simon, "Crocodile Rock" -Elton John, "Superstitious" - Stevie Wonder, "Killing Me Softly" -Roberta Flack, etc. Don't get me wrong, those are some really good songs themselves. La Grange was just as good I'd say though. It certainly has stood the test of time just as long as well.

Notice that if you listen closely to the lyrics, you realize that they are describing a whorehouse. The lyrics are graphic, but also ambiguous and short. Just like the great original blues songs. But most songs in the 1973 pop charts, especially a Top 10 hit, didn't contain many profanities. Only a group like ZZ Top could get away with something like this and have the blurred message slip through the radio airwaves.

The blues influence in this song is undeniable. The "Haw haw haw's" are a tribute to the great blues master John Lee Hooker.

Another aspect in this song that makes it stand-out is the guitar riff- it's just one of the best of all-time. In Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time" issue, they talk about how Billy Gibbons' first band opened for Jimi Hendrix in the late 60's. Jimi was very impressed with Billy's guitar playing. There is a reason why Jimi Hendrix once said that Billy Gibbons was going to be the next big guitarist. He was right. This song is just one of many proves that, and showcases Billy's talents on the guitar.

Lyrics:

Rumour spreadin' a-'round
In that Texas town
'Bout that shack outside La Grange
And you know what I'm talkin' about
Just let me know
If you wanna go
To that home out on the range
They gotta lotta nice girls ah

Have mercy!

A haw, haw, haw, haw, a haw
A haw, haw, haw

Well, I hear it's fine if you got the time
And the Ten to get yourself in
A hmm, hmm
And I hear it's tight
Most ev'ry night
But now I might be mistaken
hmm, hmm, hmm

Ah have mercy!

• Category

  Music

[Keegan G]

My Texan-Sense Brought me here, Haw Haw Haw

[ahmrahtcheer]

In Texas, from where ZZ Top hails, the song received extensive airplay (It charted #1 in Texas), despite the fact it was referring to The Chicken Ranch (a famous brothel near La Grange). My strait-laced parents tried to prevent me from listening to the song and objected to my owning the album.

[MsHiddenlotus]

One can NEVER go wrong with ZZ Top. This is my favorite ZZ song. Saw them once in concert and just as good in person as on a record/cd. Makes me miss TEXAS!

GoTOP!

[steve josh anddabys]

Thumbs up if you can play the solo.

I can

[Henrij Devigne]

songs that stand the test of time often don't chart high right off the bat...don't count Dark Side of the Moon



[bobduvar]

La grange aux garçons vachers....

Moi j'adore !!!

[lakecrab]

Day got a nice girls dare....

[GuitarLicksAndTabs]

Damn, this band can dig a groove.

[Logan Letchford]

holy shit your right!

[Logan Letchford]

same here

[NeptunesGaming]

I listen and play their songs ;)