Top 10 Jimmie Vaughan Songs

Top 10 Jimmie Vaughan Songs

Our top 10 Jimmie Vaughan songs list looks at the body of work of a Texas blues living legend who rose to fame in the late ‘80s as a member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Jimmie Vaughan, a four-time Grammy Awards winner, is the brother of the late Texas bluesman, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Inspired by the likes of Albert KingB.B. King, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, and Freddie King, Jimmie Vaughan rose to become one of the most iconic guitarists in the blues scene.

Jimmie Vaughan’s Life before His Solo Career

The 1951 guitarist/singer grew up listening to blues music from the likes of Jimmy ReedMuddy Waters, Webb Pierce, and Hank Williams. As a teenager, Jimmie Vaughan took on guitar lessons while maintaining his own style which made him an outlier from an early age. The next thing up was Jimmie Vaughan opening for The Jimi Hendrix Experience in Texas at eighteen years of age.

Eventually, Jimmie Vaughan joined hands with Kim Wilson, Keith Ferguson, and singer Lou Ann Barton to form The Fabulous ThunderbirdsJimmie Vaughan played lead guitars in The Fabulous Thunderbirds from its inception until he left the band in 1990. The singer/guitarist was featured on seven studio albums released by the band, boasting of his input in the success of the hits “Tuff Enuff,” “Wrap It Up,” “Stand Back,” and “Powerful Stuff.”

After leaving The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie collaborated with his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan in Family Style, their first and only album as The Vaughan Brothers. Family Style gifted Jimmie Vaughan his first Grammy Award in the Contemporary Blues Recording category. The album beat competition from the albums, Jump for Joy by Koko Taylor, Stickin’ to My Guns by Etta James, Red Hot & Blue by B. B. King and Lee Atwater, and Midnight Stroll by The Robert Clay Band featuring The Memphis Horns.

Family Style’s single “D/FW” also won a Grammy in the Rock Instrumental Performance category. Eventually, Jimmie Vaughan launched his solo career in 1994, marked by the release of his debut studio album, Strange Pleasure. Jimmie Vaughan continues to influence the Texas blues fashion now boasting over four decades in the music scene both as a singer and guitarist.

Jimmie Vaughan’s Solo Career and Albums

In 1994, Jimmie Vaughan launched his solo career issuing his debut album, Strange Pleasure through Epic Records. Strange Pleasure was Jimmie Vaughan’s dedication to his late brother Stevie Ray Vaughan and guitarist/singer Albert Collins. The album was a success in the mainstream, peaking at number one hundred and twenty-seven on the Billboard 200. “Six Strings Down,” Boom-Bapa-Boom,” “Tilt a Whirl,” and “Don’t Cha Know” are the best Albert Collins songs from the album. Strange Pleasure received a nomination for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category. However, the album lost to Father Father by Pops Staples.

Out There, released in 1998, marked Jimmie Vaughan’s sophomore studio album. Unfortunately, this was Jimmie Vaughan’s last album released through Epic Records. While the album might not have matched Strange Pleasure’s impact in the mainstream, it managed to feature musical gems including “Like a King” and the Grammy Award-nominated single “The Ironic Twist.”

Jimmie Vaughan returned in 2001 with his third solo studio album, Do You Get The Blues? The album was fairly received in the mainstream and even went ahead to grab a Grammy Award for the Best Traditional Blues Album in 2002. Do You Get The Blues? featured notable musical gems including “Dirty Girl,” “Don’t Let the Sun Set,” and “Slow Dance Blues.” Jimmie Vaughan’s next release came in 2007 when he teamed up with Omar Kent Dykes on the album, On The Jimmy Reed Highway.

Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites, issued in 2010, marked Jimmie Vaughan’s next solo release since the award-winning LP Do You Get The Blues? “The Pleasure’s All Mine,” “Roll, Roll, Roll,” “Come Love,” and “Just A Little Bit” are the best Jimmie Vaughan songs from the album. Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites earned Jimmie Vaughan a Grammy nomination in the Best Traditional Blues Album category. The following year, Jimmie released Plays More Blues, Ballads & Favorites featuring Lou Ann Barton.

“I Ain’t Never” and “I’m in the Mood for You” are some of the popular songs by Jimmie Vaughan from Plays More Blues, Ballads & Favorites. Jimmie’s next major release was his 2019 album Baby, Please Come Home. The album featured musical gems including “Just A Game,” “Baby What’s Wrong,” “Be My Lovely Dovey,” and “Baby, Please Come Home.”

Jimmie Vaughan’s Legacy

Since his tenure at The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Vaughan remains one of the most sought-after Texas blues guitarists. The guitarist/singer inspired his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan who eventually grew to become one of the leading lights in the blues scene. Jimmie Vaughan’s impact on the blues scene has not gone unnoticed having him bag four Grammy Awards out of eight nominations. Here we present the ten best Jimmie Vaughan songs of all time.

#10 – Like a King

Ushering us to the top 10 Jimmie Vaughan songs list is the brilliant hit “Like a King.” The song is featured on Jimmie’s solo sophomore studio album, Out ThereOut There, as exhibited by songs like “Like a King,” is more of a continuation of Jimmie Vaughan’s brilliance on his debut album. “Like a King” finds the guitarist giving his fans a taste of his blend of Texas blues and some blues-rock influences. The song’s excellent rhythm and flavorsome guitar riffs make a perfect reason why it steals the show becoming the only song from the album that we feature on our ten best Jimmie Vaughan songs list.

#9 – The Pleasure’s All Mine

Jimmie Vaughan’s 2010 album, Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites, saw him make a return to his glory in the blues scene. The album went on to become one of his best-selling solo outings of all time. “The Pleasure’s All Mine” finds Jimmie Vaughan giving us a taste of his appealing vocal delivery. A similar vocal delivery is felt with his cover of the Willie Nelson penned hit “Funny How Time Slips Away,” albeit more soulful. “The Pleasure’s All Mine” manages to bring out the technical expertise of Jimmie Vaughan on the guitars too. His magical skills crowned him one of the most esteemed Texas blues guitarists of all time.

#8 – Don’t Cha Know

Number eight on the ten best Jimmie Vaughan songs list is the thrilling hit “Don’t Cha Know.” The song introduces us to Jimmie Vaughan’s classic debut studio album, Strange Pleasure. “Don’t Cha Know” is packed with an infectious rhythm whose gentle texture appeals to the soul of any blues lover. The groovy guitar solo on this song only adds to the catalog of reasons Jimmie Vaughan rose above the competition severally as one of the most refined guitar fiddlers in the Texas blues scene.

#7 – I Ain’t Never

When Jimmie Vaughan put his signature blues influences to the country hit “I Ain’t Never,” he revived the love for this 1959 song penned by Webb Pierce and Mel Tillis. “I Ain’t Never” was first recorded by Webb Pierce in 1959, with his version peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Mel Tillis would later cover the song in 1972, with his version topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.

Jimmie Vaughan would later cover the song in 2011, featuring it on his album, Plays More Blues, Ballads & Favorites. While his version never rose to the charts, it is by far one of the best blues-influenced covers of the song. Other artists who have covered “I Ain’t Never” include The Lowes, Hank Thompson, and Roger Miller.

#6 – Baby, Please Come Home

Number six on our top 10 Jimmie Vaughan songs list is the marvelous hit “Baby, Please Come Home.” The song is the best cut off this Texas guitar slinger’s 2019 album of the same name. Like most of the songs from the album, “Baby, Please Come Home” is an honorable celebration of blues roots. The song was initially released in 1956 by Lloyd Price and His Band.

Jimmie Vaughan covered this song preferring to maintain its 1950s blues style. However, the song manages to display his pulsating and passionate musicianship. In 2020, Jimmie Vaughan performed the song live with Bonnie Raitt.

#5 – Don’t Let the Sun Set

Jimmie Vaughan entered the new millennium with the hope of continued dominance on the Texas blues scene. His efforts might have just fulfilled the desires of his musical career, having his album, Do You Get the Blues? received a Grammy Award in 2002. Thanks to magical hits like “Don’t Let the Sun Set,” the album went on to impress traditional blues love. Jimmie Vaughan’s soulful singing adds even more glamour to this slow-tempo blues hit.

#4 – Boom-Bapa-Boom

“Boom-Bapa-Boom” is one of the musical gems from Jimmie Vaughan’s debut studio album, Strange Pleasure. The song brings the best of the guitarist/singer’s Texas blues sound with a few elements of electric blues. “Boom-Bapa-Boom” continues to ooze Jimmie’s prodigious guitar skills with his remarkable vocal delivery. The Steve Miller Band gave this song a nod, covering it in 2007.

#3 – Slow Dance Blues

The third pick on our top 10 Jimmie Vaughan songs list is the pulsating hit “Slow Dance Blues.” Like the title suggests, “Slow Dance Blues” gives its listeners over six minutes of slow but impressive tunes. The song is among the musical gems featured on the singer’s Grammy Award-winning album Do You Get the Blues? “Slow Dance Blues” exudes pure talent in Jimmie Vaughan’s guitar skills thanks to his charming individual style in playing the instrument.

#2 – Roll, Roll, Roll

“Roll, Roll, Roll” is the most popular song by Jimmie Vaughan from his 2010 album, Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites. Once again, Jimmie Vaughan keeps singing to a bare minimum allowing his guitar skills to take the center stage. “Roll, Roll, Roll” was initially issued by Luther Johnson, alias Guitar Jr. in 1958. The song was first covered by Jimmie Vaughan’s former band The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1981, where Jimmie Vaughan only the guitar. “Roll, Roll, Roll” proved to be a timeless hit with Jimmie Vaughan choosing to pay homage to this song by Luther Johnson, a Grammy Award-winning singer/guitarist.

#1 – Six Strings Down

Number one on our top 10 Jimmie Vaughan songs list is the touching hit “Six Strings Down.” The song is featured on the singer’s debut solo studio album, Strange Pleasure. “Six Strings Down” serves as a tribute to Jimmie Vaughan’s late brother Stevie Ray Vaughan. The singer/guitarist also mentions other late bluesmen including Albert Collins, with its refrain citing how heaven just ushered another blues icon home.

Originally, the song was performed as an acoustic blues ballad. However, later versions of the song have embraced electric blues influences. Jimmie Vaughan was been joined by other artists including Eric ClaptonBonnie RaittBuddy GuyB. B. KingRobert Cray, Art Neville, and Dr. John in releasing a new version of his original 1994 hit.

Feature Photo: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Jimmie Vaughan Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022

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