The Dallas-born guitar virtuoso Stevie Ray Vaughan showed the world what the electric guitar can do. Part of an elite group of players (along with others like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and maybe a handful more), Vaughan was one of the most dynamic, nimble, and prolific players the genre of blues-rock has ever seen.
Sadly, the artist died young, the victim of a helicopter crash in 1990. He was just 35 years old. But during that time, Vaughan made a name for himself and then some thanks to his blistering and bodacious blues-rock songs. Here below, we wanted to explore a trio of those tracks. Indeed, these are three eternal classic rock songs from the excellent player.
[RELATED: Watch This Phenomenal Performance by Stevie Ray Vaughan in Honor of the Late Blues Guitar Master]
“Pride and Joy” from Texas Flood (1983)
A straight-ahead love song that, from the hands of Stevie Ray Vaughan, becomes not so standard. The artist wrote this after meeting a new girlfriend and he released it on his 1983 debut LP Texas Flood. The tune was one the guitarist played often at live shows before he passed away and it may just be his most popular and well-known track. On it, he sings lovingly of the object of his affection, calling her the subject of, yes, his pride and joy. Belts Vaughan glowingly,
Well you’ve heard about love givin’ sight to the blind
My baby’s lovin’ cause the sun to shine
She’s my sweet little thang, she’s my pride and joy
She’s my sweet little baby, I’m her little lover boy
Yeah I love my baby, heart and soul
Love like ours won’t never grow old
She’s my sweet little thang, she’s my pride and joy
She’s my sweet little baby, I’m her little lover boy
“Crossfire” from In Step (1989)
From Vaughan’s fourth album, which was released a year before he died, this song is about what it feels to be down and out or destitute. The world is harsh and cares not for you and when you feel low it can feel like it’s even taking aim at you or you’re stuck between two warring factions. Indeed, sings Vaughan, it can feel like you’re caught in the crossfire of everything happening around you. And it can feel like you’re this close to the end. Offers Vaughan,
Day by day, night after night
Blinded by the neon lights
Hurry here, hustling there
No one’s got the time to spare
Money’s tight, nothing free
Won’t somebody come and rescue me?
I am stranded
Caught in the crossfire
Stranded
Caught in the crossfire
“Texas Flood” from Texas Flood (1983)
The titular song on Vaughan’s 1983 debut album of the same name, this track was originally recorded by artist Larry Davis in 1958. But Vaughan made it his 25 years later. Another staple for Texas-born Vaughan during his live performances, the song on its face is about the weather. But with a closer look, the song is not about the weather in the state of Texas. Instead, it’s about how the singer feels internally due to his experience in the state—specifically after the breakup of a relationship. Now, with all these bad feelings, the singer decides to leave and return home to regroup where “the sun shines everyday.” Sings Vaughan between guitar solos,
Well there’s floodin’ down in Texas
All of the telephone lines are down
Well there’s floodin’ down in Texas
All of the telephone lines are down
And I’ve been tryin’ to call my baby
Lord and I can’t get a single sound
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Photo by David Redfern/Redferns
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