La_Grange_(song)

La Grange (song)

La Grange (song)

Song by ZZ Top


"La Grange" is a song by the American rock group ZZ Top, from their 1973 album Tres Hombres. One of ZZ Top's most successful songs, it was released as a single in 1973 and received extensive radio play, rising to No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1974.[4] The song refers to a brothel on the outskirts of La Grange, Texas (later called the "Chicken Ranch"). The brothel is also the subject of the Broadway play and film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Quick Facts Single by ZZ Top, from the album Tres Hombres ...

The first time ZZ Top played the song in La Grange, Texas was during the Fayette County Fair on September 5, 2015.[5] In March 2020 the song re-entered the Billboard charts following the release of the documentary ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas.[6]

Composition

The initial groove of the song is based on a traditional boogie blues rhythm used by John Lee Hooker in "Boogie Chillen'".[7][8] In 1992, music publisher Bernard Besman, who worked with Hooker and was co-credited as songwriter, filed a lawsuit against the members of ZZ Top, alleging that "La Grange" infringed on "Boogie Chillen'". A federal judge dismissed the case in 1995, declaring "Boogie Chillen'" was part of the public domain.[9]

Background

The single's B-side, "Just Got Paid", is from the band's second album, Rio Grande Mud.

The song was produced by Bill Ham.[10][11]

Reception

Cash Box called it a "hard driving delight certain to satisfy those fans of heavy blues."[12]

In March 2005, Q placed "La Grange" at 92nd of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.[13] The song is also ranked No. 74 on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. Rolling Stone called the song, "...a standard for guitarists to show off their chops."[14]

Charts

More information Chart (1974), Peak position ...
More information Chart (2020), Peak position ...

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...

References

  1. Gundersen, Edna (December 21, 2013). "Catalog box sets sum up Beatles, Dylan, Eagles, Ramones". USA Today. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  2. Laney, Karen 'Gilly' (November 3, 2011). "Top 10 Southern Rock Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  3. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Vol. 86, no. 26. June 29, 1974. p. 80. ISSN 0006-2510.
  4. "ZZ Top Setlist at Fayette County Fairgrounds, La Grange, TX, USA". Setlist.fm. September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  5. Rutherford, Kevin (March 19, 2020). "ZZ Top's New Documentary Spurs Rock Chart Debuts, Streaming & Sales Gains". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  6. "Court Rejects Claim ZZ Top Stole His Song". The Tribune. The Associated Press. 1995-10-11. p. A-2.
  7. Tres Hombres (liner notes). ZZ Top. Warner Bros. 2006. 8122-78966-2. Retrieved November 16, 2019.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. "ZZ Top – Tres Hombres – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  9. "Singles Reviews > Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XXXV, no. 45. March 23, 1974. p. 24. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  10. "Q Magazine – 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever!". Q magazine. March 2005. Retrieved February 20, 2014 via Rocklist.net.
  11. "Top 40 Australian Singles". Go-Set. cf. last week position. Retrieved June 10, 2013 via Poparchives.com.au.
  12. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  13. "Les Tubes de chaque Artiste commençant par Z". InfoDisc (in French). Select "ZZ Top" from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  14. "The Singles Chart" (PDF). Record World. July 13, 1974. p. 25. ISSN 0034-1622. Retrieved September 17, 2017.

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