VIDEO | ZZ Top – Cheap Sunglasses

Home ‣My Favorite Music ‣Artists that Begin with "Z"

BAND | ZZ Top

"Cheap Sunglasses"

Last updated 📅 2025-04-03

Stay cool with ZZ Top's iconic 1979 blues rock anthem, "Cheap Sunglasses." This smooth yet gritty track from the Degüello album boasts a signature guitar tone and undeniable swagger. Its laid-back boogie rock groove makes it an enduring fan favorite and classic rock staple.

TITLE: Cheap Sunglasses
BAND: ZZ Top
GENRE: Blues Rock, Boogie Rock, Southern Rock
RELEASEDAY: November 28
YEAR: 1979

Featured on the 1979 album Degüello and released as a single in 1980, "Cheap Sunglasses" perfectly blends ZZ Top's Texas blues rock roots with Southern rock attitude. Billy Gibbons' growling vocals and distinctive guitar work ride over a hypnotic boogie rock rhythm section, defining their sound for the era.

With its instantly recognizable opening riff and lyrics celebrating the cool anonymity afforded by shades, "Cheap Sunglasses" oozes effortless cool. This 1979 blues rock/Southern rock classic captures ZZ Top's unique vibe, remaining a testament to their influential guitar-driven boogie rock style.

SONG MEANING: This song is an ode to the perceived coolness, mystery, and practicality of wearing cheap sunglasses, especially when recovering from a late night or wanting to maintain anonymity. The lyrics describe needing sunglasses to face the morning light after waking up rough, embracing them as essential gear for navigating the day with a certain detached style.

Band

"ZZ Top"

ZZ Top, "That Little Ol' Band from Texas," defined a unique brand of blues-infused rock for decades. Known for their iconic beards, fuzzy guitars, and irresistible grooves, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard created a legendary legacy built on raw power and Texas swagger.

TITLE: ZZ Top
ACTIVE: 1969–present (1969)
BAND: ZZ Top

Their incredible catalog ranges from gritty, foundational 1973-era blues rock driven by killer guitar riffs and boogie rhythms, to massive global hits blending hard rock with innovative electronic and synth-pop elements throughout the 80s, always maintaining their unmistakable cool...

ZZ TOP: Cheap Sunglasses, Gimme All Your Lovin', Heard It On The X, Tush, Just Got Paid, Legs, I Thank You, Sharp Dressed Man, La Grange, Waitin' for the Bus

Go to "ZZ Top" Page

BAND | ZZ Top

"Gimme All Your Lovin'"

Get ready for ZZ Top's iconic 1983 smash hit, "Gimme All Your Lovin'"! This powerhouse track launched the Eliminator era, blending their signature hard rock riffs with driving electronic rock beats. Its unforgettable sound and MTV video propelled the band to global superstardom.

TITLE: Gimme All Your Lovin'
BAND: ZZ Top
GENRE: Electronic Rock, Hard Rock
RELEASEDAY: April 02
YEAR: 1983

Released as the lead single from the diamond-selling 1983 album Eliminator, "Gimme All Your Lovin'" became a massive international hit. It perfectly showcased ZZ Top's successful integration of synthesizers and sequencers into their hard rock framework, creating a unique and highly influential electronic rock sound for the time...

Watch Video and Read More