The slow Blue Jean Blues from Fandango! (1975) by ZZ Top may not be among the most popular records of the American band, but this fact does not detract from the merits of this amazing blues.
Not as much is known about the history of the song as we would like, but still managed to dig up information about the case that inspired the musicians.
The history and meaning of the song Blue Jean Blues – ZZ Top
And let’s start with almost modern days. In 2003, a Chrome, Smoke & BBQ box set was released, consisting of several discs and additional material interesting for the band’s fans. This set includes a booklet with explanations by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. Among other comments, there is a story by Dusty and Frank about the history of the creation of the composition.
Hill explained what Blue Jean Blues is about:
This has a lot to do with Frank and the girl he was dating at the time. They wore jeans of the same size. One night we were at a club and she walked in with some guy. But I think Frank was more upset than that, but that she, as he claimed, was in his jeans. There was an oil stain on them, which confirmed that they belonged to him. Nothing else is needed for a blues song.
Beard expanded on the history of the Blue Jean Blues song:
I was really skinny back then and my girlfriend just stole them. And then she showed up in them, in my jeans, where we worked, in the Old Quarter.
Agree, this is a really cool story for a musician who composes the blues. And it’s doubly good that this sad story happened directly to the author of the song. Perhaps it was because of his personal experiences that Blue Jean Blues turned out to be so heartfelt.
Release and achievements
In 1975, Blue Jean Blues was featured on the Fandango! album. It can also be found on some of the best-of compilations of blues-rock band ZZ Top.
In general, enough words – let’s listen.
Blue Jean Blues Lyrics
I done ran into my baby
And finally found my old blue jean
I done ran into my baby
And finally found my old blue jean
Well, I could tell that they were mine
From the oil and the gasoline
If I ever get back my blue jean,
Lord, how happy could one man be
If I ever get back my blue jean,
Lord, how happy could one man be
‘Cause if I get back those blue jean
You know, my baby be bringin’ ’em home to me
Blue Jean Blues Lyrics Alternative
I met my baby by chance
And finally found some old blue jeans
I met my baby by chance
And finally found my old blue jeans
Well I definitely recognized them
On oil and gasoline stains
If I could get my blue jeans back
God, how happy one person would be
If I could get my blue jeans back
God, how happy one person would be
‘Cause if I could get my blue jeans back
You know my baby would bring them home to me
