Top 10 Fabulous Thunderbirds Songs
The “Fabulous Thunderbirds” were comprised of guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, singer & harmonica player Kim Wilson, bassist Keith Ferguson and drummer Mike Buck when they began in the mid-1970s in Texas. Their first eponymous album, alternately called Girls Go Wild, was released in 1979 on the “Takoma/Chrysalis” record label. It was comprised of both original compositions and tasteful covers.
In 1980, Fran Christiana from “Roomful of Blues” replaced Mike Buck on drums and Preston Hubbard took over the bass position when Ferguson left.
The peak of their commercial success came with the 1986 release of the Tuff Enuff album. It produced “Top 40” singles including the title song that was featured in a few films along with “Wrap it Up” and “Look at That.”
After Vaughan quit the band in 1989, Wilson was the only original member but continued fronting the “Thunderbirds” until the present day. A rotating cadre of nearly 2 dozen supporting musicians including Duke Robbilard, Kid Ramos, Nick Curran and Johnny Moeller helped Wilson extend the life of the band. Over the past 5 decades the “Fabulous Thunderbirds have released 14 studio albums and a dozen compilation and live recordings.
Here are Blues Rock Review’s top 10 Fabulous Thunderbirds songs.
10. “Walkin’ To My Baby”
“Walkin’ To My Baby” is a Kim Wilson composition that appeared on their eponymous debut that is alternately called Girls Go Wild because the phrase prominently appears on the album cover. It’s an old school rock & roller. Jimmie Vaughan’s guitar licks complement Wilson’s mouth harp as they joyfully merge the blues with rock & roll.
9. “Can’t Tear It up Enuff”
“Can’t Tear it up Enuff” is from 1982’s T-Bird Rhythm produced by Nick Lowe and was written by Kim Wilson. It’s a barn burning straight ahead old school rock & roll Jerry Lee Lewis style number minus the keyboards. Wilson’s exuberant singing combined with the driving band accompaniment makes it impossible to stay seated while listening. Jimmie Vaughan plays a full speed ahead rhythm guitar that “defines the great groove playing that he brought” to the “Thunderbirds”
8. “Runnin’ Shoes”
“Runnin’ Shoes” is from the band’s 2nd studio album released in 1980 What’s the Word. “Runnin’ Shoes” was written and recorded by Juke Boy Bonner in 1968 but the lyrics were adapted from “Down in the Bottom” originally written by Willie Dixon and recorded by Howlin’ Wolf in 1961. The song features Wilson imitating Howlin’ Wolf’s voice with a short harmonica solo while Vaughan accompanies him with his trademark driving rhythm guitar.
7. “Rock With Me”
“Rock With Me” is another cut from their 1979 eponymous debut album alternatively called Girls Go Wild. The song was written by Wilson and features all the band members interplaying with each other. From Wilson singing and wailing on the harmonica, to Vaughan’s guitar and the tandem beat of Ferguson’s bass and Buck’s drumming they presented the sound of Texas style blues. What is really amazing is the fact that this is their first album.
6. ” (I Know) I’m Losing You”
(I Know) I’m Losing You” was a hit single for “Motown Records” as recorded by the “Temptations” back in 1966. The song was written by Cornelius Grant, Eddie Holland, and Norman Whitfield and appears on the “Fabulous Thunderbirds’” 2016 release Strong Like That. The song features special guest Wes Watkins on drums and sacred steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier on steel guitar.
5. “Wrap It Up”
“Wrap It Up” was the 2nd charting hit from the Tuff Enuff album. The song was originally written by “Songwriter’s Hall of Fame” members Isaac Hayes and Dave Porter when they were part of “Stax Records.” The song was then recorded as a B-side by soul duo “Sam & Dave” for “I Thank You” which was their last “Top 40” hit. The cover by the “Thunderbirds” peaked in the US at number 50.
“Just put your lovin’ in my box now baby
Wrap it up I’ll take it.”
4. “I Believe I’m In Love”
“I Believe I’m In Love” is from the “T-Bird’s” Butt Rockin’ album which came out in 1981. The song was written by Kim Wilson whose amazing harp playing on the song drives and augments the riff. In 1995, Bonnie Raitt’s live Road Tested album included a duo with Kim Wilson and Raitt singing:
“I believe I’m in love with you
Tell me baby that you love me, too.”
3. “Twist of the Knife”
“Twist of the Knife” was a blues rock number on 1991’s Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk and was co-written by Wilson. It has some great guitar playing by the team of Duke Robillard and Kid Bangham. It was the 1st album recorded after Jimmie Vaughan left the band to record and play with his younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan before his tragic death in a helicopter crash. After the incident Vaughan didn’t return to the “Thunderbirds but began a solo career.
2. “Tuff Enuff”
“Tuff Enuff” is the title song from the “Fabulous Thunderbirds” 1986 album. It became the band’s most successful single and peaked at the number 10 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Kim Wilson whose heartfelt gritty blues vocals accompanied by Jimmie Vaughan’s killer guitar work hit a groove that reached for the sky and exceeded it.
1. “Powerful Stuff”
“Powerful Stuff” is the guitar driven title song from the “Fabulous Thunderbirds” 1989 album. The song was written by R.S. Field, Michael Henderson and Wally Wilson. It was Jimmie Vaughan’s last album with the “T-Birds” and his stellar guitar work on “Powerful Stuff” was a high point to leave on. Fran Christina’s explosive drumming drives the song with a contagious beat accompanied by Preston Hubbard’s thumping bass. The song ended up on the film’s soundtrack for the 1988 hit film, Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise and the album ended up reaching the number 1 spot on “Billboard’s Hot 100 Album Charts.”
