You Ain’t Like You Used to Be

The Zoo Crew is thrilled to spin "You Ain’t Like You Used to Be" by Mike Morgan & The Crawl for all you Zoo Freaks out there! This track, featured on the 1992 album Mighty Fine Dancin', showcases Morgan’s gritty Texas blues style, blending soulful grooves with electrifying guitar riffs. In a 2022 interview with American Blues Scene, Morgan shared that his songwriting often draws from personal experiences and the raw energy of his live performances. While specific stories about this song are scarce, Morgan hinted that its lyrics reflect the changes he observed in the Dallas blues scene during the late ’80s, a time when he was carving out his place among local legends. The song’s driving rhythm and soulful edge make it a perfect fit for the Zoo Freaks’ vibe, capturing that late-night, free-spirited energy we all love.

Delving into the song’s background, "You Ain’t Like You Used to Be" stands out for its collaboration with Lee McBee, the band’s vocalist and harmonica player at the time. McBee’s smoky vocals add a layer of soul that complements Morgan’s searing guitar work. On social media, fans on the Mike Morgan and The Crawl Fan Club Facebook group have praised the track for its infectious energy, with one user calling it “the kind of song that makes you want to dance in a dive bar till 2 a.m.” Though Morgan doesn’t often post about specific songs, his Instagram occasionally features throwback photos from the Mighty Fine Dancin' era, showing the band in their element—sweaty, smiling, and surrounded by fans. These glimpses suggest the song was a crowd favorite during their relentless touring in the ’90s, a period when they played festivals like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Mike Morgan’s journey to blues stardom began in Dallas, Texas, where he was born on November 30, 1959. Growing up in nearby Hillsboro, he was captivated by soul music on local radio, idolizing artists like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. According to his bio on mikemorganandthecrawl.com, Morgan got his first guitar in third grade but didn’t take it seriously until 1985, when he discovered Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood. This album sparked his shift from rock to blues, inspiring him to develop a distinctive style that avoided mimicking Vaughan. By 1986, Morgan had moved back to Dallas and teamed up with vocalist Darrell Nulisch to form The Crawl, named after a Lonnie Brooks song. Their debut album, Raw & Ready, released in 1990, put them on the national stage, leading to tours across the U.S. and beyond.

Morgan’s career took a unique turn due to his other passion: motorcycle racing. His bio notes that he was a racer before fully committing to music, and a 1973 motocross accident left him with an eye patch, giving him a piratical stage presence. This duality—bluesman and thrill-seeker—shapes his music’s raw intensity. After Nulisch left in 1989, Morgan recruited Lee McBee, whose soulful voice elevated the band’s sound. The Crawl’s reputation grew through albums like Full Moon Over Dallas and relentless gigging, earning praise from Guitar World as “a genuine blues guitar hero.” Morgan’s latest work, including the 2022 album The Lights Went Out in Dallas, shows he’s still a force, blending traditional blues with fresh energy.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with Mike Morgan & The Crawl, check out their official website at mikemorganandthecrawl.com for tour dates and news. Follow them on Facebook for updates and live videos, or catch behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram. Their X account shares occasional posts about gigs and new releases. Fans can also join the Mike Morgan and The Crawl Fan Club on Facebook to swap stories and share love for the band. While no official fan websites stand out, the Facebook group is a lively hub for Zoo Freaks and blues lovers alike to keep the spirit of Morgan’s music alive.