Hairdresser

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Hairdresser" by ZZ Top from their 1996 album Rhythmeen, a track that brings the band’s gritty blues-rock vibe to the Zoo Freaks tuning in at THE ZOO radio station. This song, a blues-based tune inspired by the likes of John Lee Hooker, captures the band’s return to their raw, rootsy sound after years of synthesizer-heavy experimentation. According to Lyrics.com, the song’s lyrics lament the sorry state of the narrator’s hair with a playful nod to personal grooming, delivered with ZZ Top’s signature humor and sexual innuendo. In a 1996 interview, Billy Gibbons revealed that the album’s creation involved experimenting with low guitar tunings like C# and B, influenced by producer Rick Rubin’s suggestion to check out the band Barkmarket. This experimentation gave "Hairdresser" its distinctive, heavy groove, complemented by African tribal percussion, a nod to Gibbons’ growing collection of African artifacts during this period.

Another layer to "Hairdresser" comes from its production context. Rhythmeen marked ZZ Top’s final album with longtime producer Bill Ham, and Gibbons’ use of a 1955 Les Paul Goldtop guitar is prominently featured, adding a vintage edge to the track. The album’s title, a play on “rhythm” and “mean,” reflects the band’s focus on a driving backbeat, which shines through in "Hairdresser." Fans on ZZ Top’s Facebook have shared how the song’s crunchy riffs and cheeky lyrics make it a standout for live performances, though it never reached the chart success of hits like "Legs." Posts on Last.fm also highlight the song’s music video, which captures the band’s bearded, sunglasses-clad aesthetic, a visual staple that Zoo Freaks likely vibe with.

ZZ Top got their start in Houston, Texas, in 1969, when Billy Gibbons, fresh off the breakup of his psychedelic blues-rock band Moving Sidewalks, teamed up with bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard. Gibbons, inspired by blues legends like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, wanted a no-frills, hard-hitting sound. The band’s name came from Gibbons riffing on B.B. King and Z.Z. Hill’s initials, settling on ZZ Top after rejecting “ZZ King” as too similar. They signed with London Records in 1970 and dropped ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971, blending blues with boogie-rock. Their breakthrough came with 1973’s Tres Hombres, featuring the hit "La Grange," which cemented their reputation for sly lyrics and electrifying live shows. By the 1980s, albums like Eliminator and Afterburner brought MTV fame with videos for "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs," showcasing their iconic long beards and hot-rod imagery.

You can keep up with ZZ Top on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour dates, merch drops, and clips from their storied career. Fans also gather at sites like Last.fm to discuss tracks like "Hairdresser" and swap concert stories. On Facebook groups like ZZ Top Fans, Zoo Freaks can connect with others who dig the band’s Texas-sized legacy, sharing everything from rare vinyl finds to live show photos. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the groove, ZZ Top’s online presence keeps the boogie alive.