Balinese

The Zoo Crew is spinning Balinese by ZZ Top from their 1975 album Fandango!, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its Southern boogie vibe. This track, sung by bassist Dusty Hill, is a nod to the Balinese Room, a legendary nightclub on Galveston Island, Texas, known in the 1940s and 1950s for top-tier entertainment, illegal gambling, and whiskey-fueled nights. The song’s lyrics paint a picture of dancing, dice-throwing, and a character named Ruby in skintight red pants, capturing the venue’s wild, carefree spirit. According to Songfacts, the Balinese Room was infamous for its quarter-mile pier, which gave staff time to hide gambling equipment during sheriff raids, thanks to a buzzer at the entrance. Tragically, the venue was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961, and later, Hurricane Ike in 2008 wiped out what remained, leaving the song as a gritty tribute to its legacy.

Another tidbit about Balinese comes from fan discussions on platforms like Lyrics.com, where listeners praise its raw energy and distinctive guitar riff, which has a slightly off-kilter twist that sets it apart from typical ZZ Top tracks. In a 2013 interview with MusicRadar, Billy Gibbons noted that Fandango! was an unusual album, blending live and studio tracks, with Balinese part of the studio side that showcased their evolving blues-rock sound. Fans on X often highlight Balinese as a hidden gem, with one user in April 2025 calling it a “forgotten banger” for its punchy rhythm and Dusty Hill’s soulful delivery. The song’s Southern rock charm and storytelling make it a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s eclectic, free-spirited playlist.

ZZ Top got their start in Houston, Texas, in 1969, when guitarist Billy Gibbons, fresh from the breakup of his psychedelic band Moving Sidewalks, teamed up with drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, who had played together in American Blues. Drawing inspiration from blues legends like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, they crafted a rugged, blues-driven sound that resonated with audiences. Their debut, ZZ Top’s First Album (1971), laid the groundwork, but it was 1973’s Tres Hombres and its hit La Grange that propelled them to national fame. By the time Fandango! dropped in 1975, their mix of gritty riffs, sly humor, and live prowess—highlighted by the Worldwide Texas Tour with its Texas-shaped stage and live animals—cemented their status as rock icons.

You can keep up with ZZ Top on their official website, where they share updates on tours, new releases like their 2022 album RAW, and even their branded bourbon. Follow them on Facebook for tour photos and fan interactions, Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots, and X for real-time banter and show announcements. Fans also gather on sites like Last.fm to discuss tracks like Balinese, and there’s a vibrant ZZ Top Fans Facebook group where Zoo Freaks can connect, share vinyl finds, and debate the best guitar riffs. For deeper dives, check out Songfacts for song-specific trivia or join the ZZ Top hashtag on X to join the global fan conversation.