Gimme All Your Lovin’ (2019)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the 2019 version of Gimme All Your Lovin’ by ZZ Top from the RAW: ‘That Little Ol’ Band From Texas’ Original Soundtrack, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its raw, bluesy energy. This track, originally from the 1983 album Eliminator, was re-recorded for the band’s 2019 Netflix documentary, capturing the trio’s live, unpolished vibe at Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall. The song’s iconic riff and rhythm were crafted at 120 beats per minute, a tempo suggested by engineer Linden Hudson, who used a drum machine to lock in its mechanical groove—described as so precise it rivals electronic music by Kraftwerk. Interestingly, the song’s rhythm track was jokingly labeled “Stones Rip” on the tape box, hinting at its Rolling Stones-inspired groove, as revealed by producer Terry Manning. The 2019 version strips back some of the ‘80s polish, emphasizing the band’s blues roots, which resonates with the documentary’s focus on their early, gritty sound.

The music video for the original 1983 release became a cultural phenomenon, introducing the red “ZZ Eliminator Car,” a 1933 Ford Hot Rod owned by guitarist Billy Gibbons, which became so iconic that a replica was made for touring. Directed by Tim Newman, the video featured a gas station attendant, played by actor Peter Tramm, whisked away by three women in the Eliminator car, with the band appearing and disappearing like musical specters. The famous ZZ Top hand gesture, now a staple of their brand, wasn’t planned—it emerged out of boredom during multiple takes, as the band waited 20 minutes between shots of the car driving by. The video’s success on MTV catapulted ZZ Top into pop stardom, with their Instagram later sharing nostalgic posts about its filming, like a 2019 post recalling the Eliminator’s debut. Fans on the official ZZ Top Facebook often share memories of the video’s heavy MTV rotation, cementing its place in ‘80s pop culture.

Another tidbit comes from Billy Gibbons himself, who in a 2012 interview noted the song’s electronic influences stemmed from his fascination with UK bands like Depeche Mode and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, discovered during a 1977 trip to London. This blend of blues rock with synths and drum machines was revolutionary, even catching the attention of punk band Black Flag, whose singer Henry Rollins said Eliminator was their 1984 tour soundtrack, wearing out three cassettes. The song’s universal appeal led to covers, like a 1993 live version by Finnish band Leningrad Cowboys with the Red Army Choir, mixing Soviet anthems and Hallelujah choruses, as noted on fan sites like Culture Wikia. ZZ Top’s X account has also highlighted the song’s legacy, with a 2019 post about the documentary’s raw recording process, sparking fan discussions in groups like the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group.

ZZ Top formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969, with vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard, and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill, who remained the core lineup until Hill’s death in 2021. Gibbons, the band’s creative force, started in the psychedelic rock band Moving Sidewalks, which opened for Jimi Hendrix in the late ‘60s. After Moving Sidewalks disbanded, Gibbons formed ZZ Top, recruiting Beard and Hill, who brought a tight rhythm section rooted in blues. Their early sound, heard in 1971’s ZZ Top’s First Album, was raw blues rock, shaped by manager-producer Bill Ham, who signed them to London Records. The band’s breakthrough came with 1973’s Tres Hombres, featuring the hit “La Grange,” a ode to a Texas brothel, showcasing their humorous lyrics and double entendres, as detailed on Genius. Their relentless touring and Gibbons’ distinctive guitar riffs built a cult following, setting the stage for their ‘80s reinvention with Eliminator.

By the mid-1970s, ZZ Top was a live juggernaut, with their Worldwide Texas Tour (1976–77) featuring a stage shaped like Texas and live animals, as fans recall on Underground England. Gibbons and Hill’s iconic look—sunglasses, hats, and long beards—emerged in 1979, ironically not shared by Beard, the only member without a beard, though he sports a goatee. Their shift to a mainstream sound with 1983’s Eliminator blended new wave, punk, and dance-rock, driven by Gibbons’ vision to modernize their blues roots. The album’s diamond certification (over 10 million copies sold) and MTV dominance made them global stars, as noted in a 2019 X post about their documentary. Today, ZZ Top’s legacy endures, with fans on Facebook and Instagram celebrating their 50-year run, and communities like the ZZ Top Fans group sharing tour memories and vinyl finds.