(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear

The Zoo Crew is spinning "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" by ZZ Top, a track from their 1999 album XXX, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this blues-rock rendition of a classic. Originally written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe for Elvis Presley’s 1957 film Loving You, the song was a No. 1 hit on multiple Billboard charts. ZZ Top’s version, featured on their 30th-anniversary album, adds a gritty, live-recorded edge, with Billy Gibbons’ growling vocals and sly delivery. The band’s take includes playful lyrics like “I don’t want to be a tiger / ‘Cause tigers play too rough,” showcasing their signature humor and innuendo-laden style. In a 1999 interview, Gibbons noted the song’s inclusion was a nod to their Texas roots, blending Elvis’ legacy with their bluesy swagger. The live version, clocking in at 5:20, captures the band’s raw energy, as heard on Apple Music.

Trivia about the song reveals its quirky journey. ZZ Top recorded it during sessions tied to their 2019 documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, aiming to celebrate their influences. The album XXX itself sparked mixed reviews—AllMusic gave it one and a half stars, citing weak songwriting, while RoughEdge.com praised its blend of old-school blues and modern flair. On X, a 2025 post by user @pccote66 highlighted the album’s live tracks, including "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear," noting its status as a fan favorite among Mainstream Rock hits like "Fearless Boogie." The song’s cover history is vast, with artists like Tanya Tucker and Cliff Richard also tackling it, but ZZ Top’s version stands out for its cheeky, bearded charm.

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 passing in 2021. Gibbons’ earlier band, Moving Sidewalks, disbanded after opening for Jimi Hendrix, inspiring him to form a new group rooted in blues. Beard and Hill, both from Dallas, joined soon after, and within a year, the trio signed with London Records, releasing ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971. Their sound, built on Gibbons’ searing guitar and the tight rhythm section of Hill and Beard, gained traction with 1973’s Tres Hombres, featuring “La Grange.” By the mid-1970s, their Worldwide Texas Tour cemented their reputation for wild live shows. The 1980s brought MTV fame with slick albums like Eliminator and hits like “Sharp Dressed Man,” blending synths and new wave while keeping their blues core.

The band’s iconic look—sunglasses, hats, and long beards (except for Beard, ironically)—became a cultural staple, seen in videos and even a cameo in Back to the Future Part III. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, with Keith Richards giving the speech, ZZ Top has sold over 30 million records, per a 2019 X post by their official account. Fans can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper dives, fan communities thrive on sites like Last.fm and the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and others share tour stories and vinyl finds.