Monday, March 24, 2014

"Leila" by ZZ Top

Song#:  0764
Date:  10/03/1981
Debut:  85
Peak:  77
Weeks:  4
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  After their first album to go platinum, 1979's "Degüello," the bearded gentlemen returned with "El Loco." Although it wasn't as popular, only reaching gold status, the LP was one that marked a slight shift in their sound and really previewed what was to come. Incorporating synths into the track "Groovy Little Hippy Pad" gave it a new wave feel that would really take hold with their next album "Eliminator." But before that mega-hit there was this single from "El Loco" that spent a short month on the chart.

ReduxReview:  This pop ballad release was a bit unusual for a band known for their blues-rock boogies. For me, it is not their forte. It's just an okay song with little personality to it. The recording is so slight it almost sounds like a demo. The softer side of ZZ Top is not something I necessarily needed to hear.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  Although ZZ Top could only manage this minor pop chart entry from "El Loco," the album contained two Mainstream Rock chart hits. "Tube Snake Boogie" reached #4 while "Pearl Necklace" peaked at #27. As you can probably tell from these titles, the album had its share of not-so-subtle double entendres.

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1 comment:

  1. I really, really hated this song. And mostly this album too. ZZ Top was my favorite band for the early 80's, and I've seen them more than any other band. But this song just doesn't fit in their canon at all. However, it should be fired from a cannon.

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