"Velcro Fly" by ZZ Top

Song#:  2809
Date:  07/26/1986
Debut:  72
Peak:  35
Weeks:  12
Genre:  Blues-Rock



Pop Bits:  After releasing an uncharacteristic ballad, "Rough Boy," as the third single from their multi-platinum album Afterburner, ZZ Top got back into their 80's-enhanced blues rock with this follow-up. Although it didn't hit the Top 10 at Rock like the album's previous singles, it still did well reaching #15. At Pop it got to #35. It would be the first and last time ZZ Top would get four singles from one album into the Top 40. This song would also be the band's last to reach the Pop Top 40.

ReduxReview:  I thought the band jumped the shark with this track from the album. It was just a little too cutesy wink-wink naughty with a velcro fly offering easier access than a zipper. It even featured a real velco rip as a sound effect. Their shtick was wearing thin and I wasn't buying it. However, in later years I can recognize that it's one of the better tracks on the album. It's hooky, well-produced, and kinda fun. The problem is that it just doesn't offer anything different from their previous hits. It was business as usual.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This song was mentioned in the Stephen King novel The Dark Tower III: The Wastelands. In the book, a group known as the ka-tet have found their way to the decaying city of Lud. On occasion, what are called "god-drums" are blasted across the city. This entices fighting in the city. One of the members of the ka-tet later recognizes that the "god-drums" sound is the drum track from this song.  2)  Like several of their previous videos, this one featured women dancing. It was choreographed by soon-to-be pop star Paula Abdul. Even the gents from ZZ Top get in on a little of the dance as well. Besides some visual references, the video doesn't continue the story of the Eliminator car from their previous videos.

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