Tell Me What You Want

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Tell Me What You Want" by Zebra from their self-titled debut album, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its raw energy. This song, a staple of Zebra’s live shows, captures the emotional turmoil of a lovers’ quarrel with a powerful blend of wailing guitars, pounding drums, and evocative lyrics. According to a 1998 fan write-up by Colin J. Hulin on Zebra’s official website, the track channels a “swirl of emotions—anger, frustration, love, passion, bitterness, desperation” through Randy Jackson’s intense vocals, Guy Gelso’s bombastic drums, and Felix Hanemann’s whining synthesizers. Hulin notes that the song’s ability to convey such raw feeling in a three-minute sonic burst is operatic in its intensity, though he humorously adds that it resonates more than Italian opera because “I don’t know Italian, and the music just doesn’t feel the same.”

Another piece of trivia comes from the song’s chart performance and cultural impact. While not as big a hit as its album counterpart “Who’s Behind the Door?”, which reached #61 on the US Hot 100, “Tell Me What You Want” still made waves, peaking at #107 on the US Hot 100 and #29 on the US Mainstream Rock chart, as noted in a 2017 Norselands Rock article. The song’s gritty emotion and driving rhythm made it a favorite among fans, especially in the Long Island and New Orleans club scenes where Zebra honed their craft. Music fan John Wilbur, quoted in the same article, recalls the debut album, including this track, as “the premier driving album of its day,” evoking memories of cruising with the volume cranked up. The song also got the MTV treatment with a music video, a big deal in the early ’80s when the platform was still a novel way to showcase rock bands.

Zebra, the band behind this anthem, was formed in 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Randy Jackson (guitar and lead vocals), Felix Hanemann (bass and keyboards), and Guy Gelso (drums). As detailed on their official website and a Wikipedia entry, the trio’s origins trace back to the early ’70s when Jackson and Hanemann played together in a bar band called Shepherd’s Bush. By late 1974, they teamed up with Gelso and briefly included keyboardist Tim Thorson to form Maelstrom, a cover band tackling technically complex rock like Led Zeppelin, Yes, Jethro Tull, and Pink Floyd. When Thorson left in February 1975, the band decided to stay a trio, with Hanemann doubling on keyboards and bass. They adopted the name Zebra after spotting a Vogue magazine cover featuring a woman riding a zebra, a fittingly bold image for their high-energy sound.

Initially based in New Orleans, Zebra built a reputation as a formidable live act, playing local clubs before shifting their focus to Long Island, New York, where they eventually relocated to chase bigger opportunities. Their early years were marked by relentless gigging, covering technically proficient rock while developing their original material. By the time they signed with Atlantic Records, their 1983 debut album, produced by Jack Douglas (known for Aerosmith and John Lennon), showcased songs like “Tell Me What You Want” that had been perfected in nightclubs. The album went Gold, hitting #29 on the US charts, and Zebra toured with major acts like Loverboy, Cheap Trick, and Journey, even upstaging Aerosmith at a 1983 Nassau Coliseum show, as recounted on their website.

Zebra remains active, with a strong presence on social media and fan communities. You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on tours, live streams, and merch. Fans also gather on dedicated spaces like the Zebra Fans Facebook Group, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees share memories, post concert photos, and discuss the band’s enduring legacy. For the latest news, tour dates, and a deep dive into their discography, Zebra’s official website is the go-to hub for all things Zebra.