One of the most distinctive voices in American blues- rock music is undoubtedly that of George Thorogood. Along with his top- rate band, known as the Destroyers, George Thorogood has been creating his own brand of boogie- blues music for over thirty years and shows no signs of slowing down, in the 2000’s. With a repertoire that includes such well- known classic songs as “Bad To The Bone”, “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” and “Get A Haircut”, George Thorogood’s unique vocal stylizations and stinging slide guitar work are instantly recognizable to music fans around the world. Presented here, is a guide to some of the top songs recorded by George Thorogood and The Destroyers.
Madison Blues..
This raw and stripped- down boogie- blues number is from George Thorogood’s first major- release album “George Thorogood and The Destroyers”, released in 1977. A jaunty and upbeat song, Madison Blues features a driving backbeat and urgent vocals by Mr Thorogood, wherein he urges listeners to “Do the Madison Blues and rock away your blues.” An un-complicated, yet truly excellent song.
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer..
An anthem of sorts, for alcoholics everywhere, this long song actually tells the compelling tale of George Thorogood losing his place to live and trying to find accomodations elsewhere. This well- written song sports some classic George Thorogood lines such as “I know, everybody funny, now you funny, too.” This 1977 George Thorogood song has received considerable amounts of airplay on FM rock stations and continues to do so in the 2000’s.
Get A Haircut..
A true rock and roll anthem, if there ever was one, Get A Haircut articulates the decades- old tussle between parents and their shaggy offspring, concerning the inability of the offspring to “clean up their act.” From the 1993 “Haircut” album, this George Thorogood song urges George to be more like his “together” brother, until he lands a record contract, has a hit song and earns more money than his clean- cut sibling. In this writer’s opinion, “Get A Haircut” is one of George Thorogood’s most rocked- out and best songs that he has ever recorded. Timeless.
Move It On Over..
One of George Thorogood’s more well- known songs, Move It On Over is a cover of a 1947 Hank Williams song. Another song that continues to receive frequent airplay on classic rock stations, in the 2000’s, Move It On Over describes coming home to find the locks on his doors changed and his woman allowing “The big, old dog” to move in. A cocky and zippy song, Move It On Over is a staple on juke boxes in bars and pizza places everywhere.
Blue Highway
In a departure from much of George Thorogood’s music, this melodic blues song with superb lyrics, is led by a fresh- sounding acoustic guitar. In this 1982 song, from the “Bad To The Bone” album, he speaks of leaving his home, “west of San Francisco”, in search of a better life. This superb song shows a somewhat different side of George Thorogood.
You Talk Too Much..
In this pumped- up and rocked- out humorous song, from 1988’s “Born To Be Bad” album, George Thorogood is almost pleading with his better half to keep her mouth shut, before she drives him insane. As with all George Thorogood songs, the driving rythym section propels this song to atmospheric heights, which few other ensembles are capable of. Of course, when good- natured George Thorogood is singing, you get the impression that he never really gets mad, just perplexed and slightly bemused.
Bad To The Bone..
By far, one of George Thorogood’s most well- known songs, Bad To The Bone features the Destroyer’s trademark thumping rythym section, which sets a tone of urgency, matched by George’s swaggering and bravado- filled lyrics. The infectious refrain, which features George Thorogood stammering the word “bad”, as in “B-B-B-B-B-Bad to the bone”, is great fun to sing along with. Of all the major performers in blues- rock music, George Thorogood is possibly the only one who can sing this song, believably.
Born To Be Bad..
From the 1988 album of the same name, Born To Be Bad almost comes across as a continuation, or part two of Bad To The Bone, which was released six years earlier. While the subject matter is somewhat similar, Born To Be Bad is presented as a somewhat- easier- going and more listener- friendly song. Great instrumental solos and excellent vocals by Mr Thorogood are highlights of this song.
Willie And The Hand Jive..
George Thorogood’s version of this classic 1958 song by the great Johnny Otis, is a fun and frolicking rendition that sets a tone of happy, simpler times and pursuits. In this tale of Way- Out Willie and his cool, little chick, named Rockin’ Millie, George Thorogood expounds the joys of “digging that crazy beat”. The chorus of “Hand Jive, Hand Jive, Hand Jive, Do that crazy hand jive”, is fun to sing and almost suggests a smoldering sexuality.
Bottom Of The Sea..
A proud, throbbing and relentless backbeat and pounding single- chord progression drives this declaration of world- weariness and experience in seeing many different facets of life. When George Thorogood intones “You know, I’ve seen everything, baby, everything but the bottom of the sea”, you definitely believe him. The driving, rythymic beat of this George Thorogood song, would serve well as a motivation- piece for football teams and military troops going into combat.
