Record #0837: Sleeping Bag / Party on the Patio – ZZ TOP

Warner Bros. 928 884-7 (original, 2^nd pressing) Germany, 27. September 1985
Words & Music by:  Side A – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard; Side B – Gibbons, Hill, Beard
Musicians: Billy Gibbons (lead vocals on side A, guitars), Dusty Hill (lead vocals on side B, bass, keyboards on side A), Frank Beard (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Bill Ham; Side A – at Ardent Studios, Memphis, TN, March – July 1985; Side B – at Lone Wolf Studios, Houston, TX in early 1981
Highest chart positions: Side A – Germany #40, US #8, US Mainstream #1, Canada #18, UK #27, Ireland #14, Sweden #13, Finland #8; Side B - none

This has been the group’s most successful single so far.

The A-side appeared on ZZ Top’s 1985 album “Afterburner” and the flipside on their 1981 album “El Loco”.

Only the first pressing has a photo of Billy and Dusty on the back sleeve.

List price: 45cat.com lists this at 4 euros.

 

Record #0836: Gimme All Your Lovin / If I Could Only Flag Her Down – ZZ TOP

Warner Bros. 7-29693 (original) USA, 26. April 1983
Words & Music by:  Side A – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard; Side B – Gibbons, Hill, Beard
Musicians: Billy Gibbons (lead vocals, guitars, bass, synthesizers), Dusty Hill (bass?), Frank Beard (drums?), Terry Manning (backing vocals, drum machines, electronic drums, bass, keyboard bass, synthesizers)
Recording sessions: Produced by Bill Ham possibly at Ardent Studios, Memphis, TN, late 1982
Highest chart positions: Side A – US #37, Canada #39, UK #10, Ireland #9, France #19, Belgium #11, Netherlands #3; Side B - none

These tracks could almost be considered Gibbons solo recordings, as Hill’s and Beard’s contributions are uncertain. Regardless, the single became a major hit, particularly in several European countries.

In 1993 a Finnish band Leningrad Cowboys recorded “Gimme All Your Lovin’” live in Helsinki.

List price: Very Good+ is $2, Near Mint $4; picture sleeve VG+ $2,50, NM $5. 45cat.com Price Guide has this for €14.