Song#: 1401
Date: 04/02/1983
Debut: 79
Peak: 37
Weeks: 12
Genre: Blues-Rock
Pop Bits: After the tour for their 1981 album "El Loco," this trio took a bit of a hiatus. When they reconvened to record their next LP, the band decided to pursue more of the synth-driven sound that they explored on their previous album. The results would be titled "Eliminator" and this first single became their third pop Top 40 entry. The song would be a big hit at Mainstream Rock reaching #2. It was a highly successful start that would push the album to #9. At this point they began to recognize the importance of MTV and ventured into videos. The video for this song was the first in a series of three from the album. It went into heavy rotation on MTV and featured items that would become iconic such as the Eliminator car, the fuzzy guitars, and the ZZ Top key chain.
ReduxReview: I wasn't having any of this ZZ Top stuff at the time. To me it sounded like horny, middle-aged men trying to be cool by boosting their mediocre blues tunes with New Wave-ish synths. No thanks. Okay, so I was probably a little harsh on the guys. While I still don't ache to hear them, I have developed a bit of a fondness for the trio and will boogie with them when an "Eliminator" hit gets played.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: "Eliminator" is a word used to describe the winner of a drag race. It is also the name of the car featured on the album's cover art. The customized 1933 Ford coupe was owned by band member Billy Gibbons. In addition to being used in the album artwork, the actual car would make appearances in their videos. The car became so popular that Gibbons had a second one made that could be taken along on tours and appearances.
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