Broke Down on the Brazos

Album: By a Thread (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the opening track of American rock and jam band Gov't Mule's eighth studio album, By a Thread.
  • This track features the guitar playing of ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. Guitarist Warren Haynes explained to Billboard magazine how the collaboration came about: "That was the last song we wrote and recorded for the CD, and when we listened back to it we thought, 'Wow, it's kinda got an old school, early-ZZ Top vibe about it.' We sent him the track and he loved it. I flew to L.A. and sat in a room with Billy, and we overdubbed our guitars at the same time because I wanted us to be staring each other in the face when we did it. He was so amazing and added so much to the track that it's hard to think of it without him now."

Comments: 1

  • Johnny Reynolds from El Paso TexasI knew it ! 1st time I heard it I said huh , is that also Billy gibbons, and here u go, fo sho , awesome stuff, luv yo
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top Proverb

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top ProverbSong Writing

How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."