My Head’s In Mississippi

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s the Zoo Crew spinning some righteous tunes for ya, and right now we’ve got ZZ Top’s “My Head’s In Mississippi” from their 1990 album Recycler cranking through the airwaves! This track’s a real gem, blending that classic Texas blues vibe with a modern twist. According to Billy Gibbons in a 2008 interview, the song started as a straight-up boogie-woogie but got a fresh edge when drummer Frank Beard tossed in some gated electronic drum fills, giving it that slick, contemporary kick. It’s like they took their old-school roots and hot-rodded ‘em for the ‘90s. The song climbed to number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in December 1990, holding the top spot for six weeks, which shows just how much it resonated with fans.

Another cool tidbit comes from Billy Gibbons’ 2015 chat about the song’s origins. He shared a story about hanging out with his buddy Walter Baldwin at a Memphis tavern called Sleep Out Louie’s, right by the Mississippi River. Walter, whose dad edited the Houston Post, had a way with words and said, “We didn’t grow up pickin’ cotton. We weren’t field hands in Mississippi. But my head’s there.” That line hit Gibbons hard, inspiring the song’s title and its vibe of longing for the blues-soaked Delta. Gibbons even called their approach with ZZ Top the “Salvador Dalí of the Delta,” mixing surreal imagery with gritty blues, which you can totally hear in lyrics about a naked cowgirl floating across the ceiling. Far out, right?

Fans on social media, like a post from the RockTheSub Reddit community, still dig this track’s charm. One user reminisced about catching ZZ Top on the Recycler tour and loving how the song felt like a nod to their ‘70s roots, even with its polished production. Some high school pals apparently had a laugh, mishearing the title as “I give head in Mississippi,” but that just adds to the song’s quirky legend. Over on Rate Your Music, fans praise the single’s “asskickin’” energy and Billy’s exquisite guitar sound, calling it one of the standout tracks from Recycler. The music video, which you can check out on YouTube, captures that wild, surreal vibe with the band’s signature swagger.

Now, let’s rewind and talk about how ZZ Top got rollin’. Formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969, this trio—Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums—started as a blues-rock outfit with a deep love for the raw sounds of the Delta. Gibbons, who’d been playing in local bands like Moving Sidewalks, linked up with Hill and Beard, and they clicked instantly. Their early gigs were all about grinding out blues covers and originals in sweaty Texas juke joints, building a rep for their tight rhythm section and Gibbons’ scorching guitar licks. By 1971, they dropped their debut album, ZZ Top’s First Album, which was pure, unfiltered blues-rock. Their sound evolved over the years, weaving in pop and synth vibes by the ‘80s with albums like Eliminator, but they never lost that bluesy core, as you can hear in “My Head’s In Mississippi.”

Want to keep up with ZZ Top? Hit up their official website for tour dates, merch, and news about their latest projects, like their 2022 album RAW. You can also vibe with them on Facebook, where they share throwback pics and updates, or check their Instagram for cool behind-the-scenes shots. Over on X, they post about gigs and their Tres Hombres bourbon whiskey—yep, they’ve got their own booze! For fan love, join the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group, where diehards swap stories and rare vinyl finds. Another great spot is Rate Your Music, where fans rate and review every track. So, Zoo Freaks, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the ZZ Top groove goin’ strong!