Many musicians want to write their own songs as it gives them a chance to express their most intimate thoughts and emotions. Besides that, creating something completely original rather than playing others’ songs is also more appealing for most artists. The songwriting process comprises many steps, including creating the lyrics, melody, rhythm, and tone.
As listeners, we are lucky to have a huge population of talented artists who pen their own music and give us unforgettable experiences through their words. ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons is one of these notable names, who is behind many all-time classics of the band. Although ZZ Top has mostly handled the process collectively, Gibbons has always been very helpful in coming up with lyrics inspired by his personal experiences.
However, it seems like penning massive hits such as ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’,’ and ‘Tush’ was not entirely satisfying for the guitarist since he still has some songs in his mind he wished he had written, as he revealed to Maxim during a 2017 interview.
“Good question,” Billy Gibbons said when asked about the one song he wished he had written. Yet, the veteran rocker named two tracks instead of one, which heavily influenced him in terms of their delicate songwriting. He said, “It’s a tie between Jimi’s ‘Foxy Lady’ and Muddy’s ‘Mannish Boy.’”
Gibbons actually knew Jimi Hendrix in person during the late guitarist’s time with the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Billy’s early band, Moving Sidewalks, opened several shows for Jimi’s band during the late ’60s, where Gibbons had the chance to perform Experience’s ‘Purple Haze’ and ‘Foxy Lady.’
His great admiration for ‘Foxy Lady’ is evident, considering that the guitarist delivered a version of the track with Jeff Beck at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert in 2009. Billy Gibbons’ wish to have written the hit seems apparent from his excitement while performing the song.
It is publicly known that Billy Gibbons is also a big fan of Muddy Waters, which is not surprising considering his heavily blues-influenced guitar playing. To honor the late blues legend and show his respect to him, Gibbons covered Waters’ ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin” for his 2018 solo effort ‘The Big Bad Blues.’ Maybe someday, he will also deliver his own version of ‘Mannish Boy,’ whose lyrics he admires a lot.
