Classic Albums – Eliminator (ZZ Top)

ZZ Top’s “Eliminator”: A Guitarist’s Guide
Eliminator is the eighth and most successful studio album from hard rock legends, ZZ Top. Released on March 23, 1983, the record topped the charts in many countries with of over 10 million copies sold. Learn to play the following: Gimme All Your Lovin’, Got Me Under Pressure, Sharp Dressed Man, I Need You Tonight, I Got the Six, Legs, Thug, TV Dinners, Dirty Dog, If I Could Only Flag Her Down, Bad Girl In this guitar lesson course,
LickLibrary veteran, Danny Gill walks you through the many highlights of each song from the rock giants one phrase at a time, including Billy Gibbons’ legendary guitar riffs and lead lines from the tracks; “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs”, to the feel-good classic “Gimme All Your Lovin’.”

Guitar Lessons in The Course
• Gimme All Your Lovin’
• Got Me Under Pressure
• Sharp Dressed Man
• I Need You Tonight
• I Got The Six
• Legs
• Thug
• TV Dinners
• Dirty Dog
• If I Could Only Flag Her Down
• Bad Girl

Guitar Lesson 1: “Gimme All Your Lovin'”
This song features a driving riff, played using the E minor pentatonic scale. The solo is full of string bending and vibrato, and the power chords in the main riff give it a robust texture.

Guitar Lesson 2: “Got Me Under Pressure”
The song’s groovy riff is played using the E blues scale. The solo incorporates double stops and slides, providing a bluesy feel. Power chords add a heavy edge to the song.

Guitar Lesson 3: “Sharp Dressed Man”
This track includes a riff in the G minor pentatonic scale and utilizes palm muting for added dynamics. The solo features string bending and fast pull-offs, making it one of the standout parts of the album.

Guitar Lesson 4: “I Need You Tonight”
An emotive song in the key of A minor, using legato and vibrato techniques to provide a soulful sound. The solo includes double stops and slides that emphasize the blues influence.

Guitar Lesson 5: “I Got the Six”
Played in the key of G minor, it includes open-string riffs and galloping rhythms. The solo incorporates alternate picking and hammer-ons, adding to the energetic feel of the song.

Guitar Lesson 6: “Legs”
This song is recognized for its use of the A Mixolydian scale and includes an engaging riff that showcases palm muting and power chords. The solo features pinched harmonics and dive bombs, making it a distinctive part of the album.

Guitar Lesson 7: “Thug”
Played in the key of C minor, it uses palm muting and power chords in the riff. The solo in this song is intense, incorporating tremolo picking and slides.

Guitar Lesson 8: “TV Dinners”
In the key of E major, this song uses string bending and chromaticism. The solo features finger picking and is filled with bluesy bends that add flair.

Guitar Lesson 9: “Dirty Dog”
This track, played in G major, incorporates octaves and chromaticism, with a solo that involves string bending and alternate picking.

Guitar Lesson 10: “If I Could Only Flag Her Down”
In the key of E minor, this song uses palm muting in the main riff and features a solo with double stops and pull-offs.

Guitar Lesson 11: “Bad Girl”
The final track, played in A minor, includes a riff with slides and harmonics. The solo showcases legato and tremolo picking.

Billy Gibbons and His Contribution
Billy Gibbons, the lead guitarist of ZZ Top, showcased a mastery of various guitar techniques throughout “Eliminator.” His blend of blues scales, aggressive riffs, and expressive solos provided the album with a unique character that resonated with both rock and blues fans. Gibbons’ use of techniques like palm muting, alternate picking, and string bending demonstrated his prowess and creativity as a guitarist.

Techniques Used in “Eliminator”
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Tremolo Picking
• Chromaticism
• Bluesy Bends
• Octave Melodies
• Galloping Rhythms
• Dive Bombs
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Open-String Riffs