The first in our ongoing series of great songs by Texans, this list leans toward rockabilly. In order to keep things interesting , I mix in some not so obvious choices.

For example, I could have listed Crying by Roy Orbison, but you’ve probably heard it…hundreds of times. Rock House comes from Orbison’s Sun Records rockabilly era and may be a song you’ve never heard.

1. I Fought The Law – originally written by Sonny Curtis of the Crickets, the Bobby Fuller Four’s cover version catapulted into the top ten. Nothing like a little Texas rocking radios in the face of the British Invasion.
2. The Devil’s Chasin’ Me – fleet fingered Dallas native Jim Heath, better known as the Reverend Horton Heat, has built a rabid cult following who groove on his multi-genre, supercharged, psychobilly music.
3. Honky Tonk Man – best known for historical ballads like Battle of New Orleans, Johnny Horton could rock a Texas tonk as he did with this tune.
4. Rock House – yes, this is not Roy Orbison’s best known rockabilly tune, Oooby Dooby gets that honor. Rock House‘s loose energy just makes you want to dance under a Texas moon.
5. That’ll Be The Day – about as perfect as a rock and roll song gets, Buddy Holly influenced a legion of great bands and the influence begins here.
6. Make Up Your Mind – well known in rockabilly circles, Bob Luman rocked with the best of them, but never got the big hit.  Also, dig the hyper charged playing by the ” Master of the Telecaster”, James Burton.
7. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain – this song makes you feel like Willie Nelson is giving an only-for-you performance. Breathtaking and aching.
8. Nuevo Laredo – Doug Sahm moved across and mixed genres easier than most people can slip on a pair of shoes. This late 60′s song, with the Sir Douglas Quintet, celebrates and defines the Tex-Mex sound.

Feel free to comment and recommend songs for upcoming lists.

Related posts:

1. Seven Chilling Blues Songs About Murder Murder in the blues ain’t nothin’ new. Murder stories have...
2. Six Pioneering Feedback Songs Feedback, whether accidental or purposeful, can bring an intensity and...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

“One night Freddy (Fletcher) and Jimmy (Day)  sat over at a friend’s house.  At the time, I wasn’t very good on guitar, but I had this one song and Jimmy said ” That’s a good song, have you played it for Willie?”  I told him no…and to this day I haven’t played that song for Willie.”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.