Waitin' for the Bus

Settle into the slow-burn groove of ZZ Top's "Waitin' for the Bus," the iconic blues rock opener from 1973's Tres Hombres. Famous for its seamless transition into "Jesus Just Left Chicago," this track sets a swampy, atmospheric mood with its distinctive guitar tone and laid-back Texas feel.

Released on ZZ Top's breakthrough 1973 album Tres Hombres, "Waitin' for the Bus" is renowned for its direct segue into the next track, "Jesus Just Left Chicago," often presented as a medley. This blues rock classic establishes a thick, swampy groove with Billy Gibbons' unique, phase-shifted guitar tone and a deliberate, hypnotic rhythm section provided by the late Dusty Hill and Frank Beard.

The song's lyrics, delivered with Gibbons' signature drawl, describe the simple frustration and anticipation of literally waiting for a bus under the hot sun. Its atmospheric blues rock vibe serves as the perfect atmospheric setup for the narrative continuation in "Jesus Just Left Chicago." Together, they form a cornerstone of early 70s ZZ Top and classic rock radio programming from 1973 onward.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics of "Waitin' for the Bus" are quite literal, depicting the mundane yet relatable experience of waiting for public transportation, likely feeling hot and impatient ("Have mercy, been waitin' for the bus all day / I got my hell hounds on your trail"). It sets a scene of anticipation and weary travel before leading into the story of the next track.