Love Thing

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Love Thing" by ZZ Top from their 1990 album Recycler, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this gritty blues-rock vibe. One juicy piece of trivia comes from a 2008 interview with Billy Gibbons in Goldmine magazine, where he revealed that Recycler was a pivotal album as the band shifted back to their blues roots after the synth-heavy sound of Eliminator and Afterburner. Gibbons explained that "Love Thing" and other tracks like "My Head’s in Mississippi" were born from jam sessions in Memphis, where the band ditched their high-tech gear and played in a raw, loose style, circling back to the feel of their 1973 classic Tres Hombres. This return to form was a deliberate move to reconnect with their Houston blues heritage, making "Love Thing" a track that pulses with that signature ZZ Top swagger.

Another tidbit about "Love Thing" ties to its place in the Recycler album’s production. According to Gibbons, the band initially planned to stick with the polished, sequencer-driven pop sound of their '80s hits. However, once they hit Memphis, they scrapped much of the structured approach for a more organic sound. While "Love Thing" didn’t get a music video like the album’s bigger hits such as "Doubleback" or "My Head’s in Mississippi," its driving rhythm and Gibbons’ growling vocals made it a fan favorite, especially for those who craved the band’s earlier, grittier edge. Fans on platforms like Reddit’s ZZ Top community often praise Recycler for blending the band’s bluesy roots with just enough of the '80s sheen to keep it fresh.

ZZ Top got their start in Houston, Texas, in 1969, when guitarist Billy Gibbons, fresh off the breakup of his psychedelic rock band Moving Sidewalks, teamed up with drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill. Gibbons, already a respected player after opening for Jimi Hendrix in 1968, brought his blues-infused guitar style to the mix. Hendrix himself called Gibbons one of America’s best young guitarists on The Tonight Show, a nod that put the young Texan on the map. Beard and Hill, both seasoned in local bands, locked in as a tight rhythm section, and the trio signed with London Records, releasing ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971. Their early sound was raw, bluesy, and unpolished, drawing from influences like Cream, whom ZZ Top later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. By 1973, Tres Hombres and its hit "La Grange" cemented their reputation, blending sly humor, catchy riffs, and a larger-than-life stage presence.

The band’s name, as Gibbons shared in his book Rock 'n Roll Gearhead, came from spotting a concert poster for ZZ Hill and tweaking it to ZZ Top, inspired by the idea of being the “top” or best, with a nod to rolling papers brand Tops. Their long beards and matching outfits became iconic in the late '70s after a hiatus where Gibbons and Hill, unbeknownst to each other, grew out their facial hair. This image, paired with their music, made them MTV stars in the '80s with videos like "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man." Over five decades, ZZ Top has sold over 50 million albums, earned 11 gold records, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, with Keith Richards giving the induction speech.

You can keep up with ZZ Top on their official website, where they share tour dates, merch, and news like their 2022 album RAW and Tres Hombres Bourbon Whiskey release. They’re active on social media, posting on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they’ve shared throwbacks like their 2019 documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, which dives into their rise to fame. Fans gather at sites like ZZ Top Fan Club for photos, videos, and discography details, and there’s a lively ZZ Top Fans Facebook group where Zoo Freaks can connect, share concert stories, and geek out over tracks like "Love Thing."