Eliminator
In 1983 ZZ Top unleashed their 8th album on an unsuspecting public. They had achieved a reasonable amount of success in the USA with some of their earlier releases - but could never have expected that they would find global success upon the release of "Eliminator". This was down to several things coalescing: the use of synthesizers (the 'in' thing at the time), great songwriting and prominent use of a set of promotional videos starring a 1930's custom Ford Coupe (featured on the record's sleeve) named Eliminator and plenty of skimpily dressed, beautiful women.
In total five singles would be released from the album with 2 of them reaching the top 3 of the US charts. Later in their careers they would reach the Number 1 position 6 times (so far), but the singles from "Eliminator" are what they are best remembered for by many people. The throbbing chug (research had suggested 120 bpm [beats per minute] was popular all over the world.) of synths, drum machine and heavy guitar licks chopping over the top, stamp an indelible sound on the tracks. "Gimme All Your Lovin'", "Sharp Dressed Man" & "Legs" would be a trio of hit singles that any band would have been proud of. It didn't even seem to matter that the lyrics were all about sex, partying and generally having a good time with women. Then again hasn't that always been the case?
In total five singles would be released from the album with 2 of them reaching the top 3 of the US charts. Later in their careers they would reach the Number 1 position 6 times (so far), but the singles from "Eliminator" are what they are best remembered for by many people. The throbbing chug (research had suggested 120 bpm [beats per minute] was popular all over the world.) of synths, drum machine and heavy guitar licks chopping over the top, stamp an indelible sound on the tracks. "Gimme All Your Lovin'", "Sharp Dressed Man" & "Legs" would be a trio of hit singles that any band would have been proud of. It didn't even seem to matter that the lyrics were all about sex, partying and generally having a good time with women. Then again hasn't that always been the case?
Side One
1. Gimme All Your Lovin' 3:59
2. Got Me Under Pressure 4:00
3. Sharp Dressed Man 4:13
4. I Need You Tonight 6:14
5. I Got the Six 2:52
Side Two
1. Legs 4:35
2. Thug 4:17
3. TV Dinners 3:50
4. Dirty Dog 4:05
5. If I Could Only Flag Her Down 3:40
6. Bad Girl 3:16
With other top notch tracks scattered all over the album, each time a single was released (they also released "Got Me Under Pressure" & TV Dinners"), the album sales would rise as well. Without ever reaching the Number 1 slot on the album charts it has still managed to become one of the select club of Diamond albums - albums which have achieved sales of 10 million copies in the USA.
Gimme All Your Lovin'
Sharp Dressed Man (Live in Texas)
Got Me Under Pressure/Gimme All Your Lovin'
(1983 live on The Tube, seminal performance, the first time the UK saw them)
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