TV Dinners

The Zoo Crew is spinning “TV Dinners” by ZZ Top from their iconic 1983 album Eliminator, and the Zoo Freaks are loving the vibe! This tongue-in-cheek track, with its infectious groove, is a quirky gem about the solitary life of pre-packaged, oven-ready meals. According to Wikipedia, the song’s lyrics humorously depict “industrially processed foods” as the go-to cuisine for “lonely and culinarily challenged unpartnered gentlemen.” It’s a playful nod to the bachelor lifestyle, driven by a slick beat that hit number 38 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart. Fun fact: guitarist Billy Gibbons revealed he played a 1955 Gretsch Roundup and a burgundy Dean ML for most of Eliminator’s recording, including “TV Dinners,” as shared in a chat with Dean Zelinsky. Longtime engineer Terry Manning also noted on a sound engineers’ forum that Gibbons alternated between two Dean guitars for “98% of all guitar” on the album, giving the song its distinctive edge.

Another tidbit comes from the song’s music video, which you can check out on YouTube. A fan on Songfacts pointed out a quirky hazard: the video shows a foil TV dinner tray in a microwave, a big no-no since metal in microwaves can cause sparks! The song’s charm even inspired a Reddit user on the r/Music subreddit to compare its lyrics to a “Weird Al” Yankovic parody, praising its “good groove” and “nice changes” despite its ‘80s polish. The track’s unique blend of blues-rock and synth elements stirred some controversy, though. Eliminator’s shift to a more polished, synth-heavy sound, partly shaped by engineer Linden Hudson, sparked debate among fans. Hudson, who claimed significant songwriting and production contributions, settled a legal dispute in 1986 for $600,000 after proving he held the copyright for the album’s song “Thug,” as detailed in Louder.

ZZ Top, the “Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” started in Houston in 1969, born from the ashes of Billy Gibbons’ psychedelic outfit, Moving Sidewalks. Gibbons, alongside drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill (who passed in 2021), crafted a raw, bluesy sound infused with influences from John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, and Texas legends like Roky Erickson. Their early days were all about grinding it out in small venues, building a loyal fanbase with albums like ZZ Top’s First Album (1971) and Tres Hombres (1973), which cracked the Billboard Top 10 thanks to hits like “La Grange.” Manager Bill Ham’s savvy strategy—limiting interviews and TV appearances—kept an air of mystery around the trio, making their live shows “tribal gatherings” for working-class fans, as noted in Best Classic Bands. By the time Eliminator dropped, their bearded, sunglasses-clad image and synth-infused sound catapulted them to global fame, with MTV’s heavy rotation of their videos sealing the deal.

Stay connected with ZZ Top through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for the latest on tours, releases, and more. Fans, or “fanzz” as they call themselves, can dive deeper on sites like ZZ Top Fan Club, which offers photos, videos, and discography details. There’s also a vibrant ZZ Top Fans Facebook group where Zoo Freaks can join discussions, share memorabilia, and keep the boogie alive. Whether you’re grooving to “TV Dinners” or exploring their blues-rock roots, ZZ Top’s legacy is as timeless as their beards!