Let ZZ Top’s Original ’71 “Francine” Demo Take You Way, Way Back

She’s All He Needs

Taking it all the way back to the earlier ZZ Top days, this original demo of “Francine,” off of their Rio Grande Mud album, is just what you need today. Having mixed the single over the years, performing it in Spanish and renaming the classic to “Francene” over different albums, this remains the greatest version of the song in all of its untampered perfection of a true southern blues story.

Interesting Fact: The writers of the song were actually Steve Perron and Kenny Cordray, whom did not receive credit for many years for “Francine.”

Although the Rio Grande Mud album did not see the success it anticipated, there is no denying that earlier ZZ Top rocked our world with ease listening to Billy’s deep vocal range. Resembling the tones and beat of “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Francine” was the ultimate plea of love and desperation for a young woman that the singer believes he needs to survive, at such a young age.

Comparing the differences between original “Francine” and the re-mix that was released years later, we definitely have to side with the demo as it sounds more like Billy, Dusty and Beard and the music they stayed true and still do. The ZZ Top we all know and love.

+ Francine Lyrics +