Boz Scaggs got his start playing with the Steve Miller band back in the 1960’s when rock and roll was starting to lean towards a more bluesy sound. While Steve went on to become popular in rock and roll, Boz stayed true to his music roots, having grown up in Texas where southern blues was played on the radio frequently. He was at the height of his career in the mid-1970’s when Silk Degrees hit the top of the charts and he remains one of the first blue-eyed soul musicians to receive a Grammy award in 1977 for his song “Lowdown.” Boz continues to remain one of the most talented songwriters in the music business. Below are the ten best songs by Boz Scaggs:
10. Loan Me A Dime. This appeared on his self titled LP back in 1969 on the Atlantic label. Hailed by both music critics and fans as one of the best blues songs of that era, Boz still occasionally plays this at venues when he is on tour. Duane Allman played guitar for Boz on this disc so if you are also a Duane fan, this song is a real treat to listen to.
9. Near You. One of the few songs that gained some exposure on AM radio, this song appears on Boz’s Moments LP that was released in 1971. Boz has always been well known for writing some extraordinary ballads, and this one is no exception at all. Play this one for your boyfriend or girlfriend one night when you want to spend some intimate time alone with each other.
8. A Clue. Boz’s follow up disc to Silk Dregrees, Down Two Then Left contains more great urban soul music that’s even smoother, smooth like an ice sculpture melting in the California sun. The music really matches the LP cover because it shows Boz along with several ice sculptures of himself. Here Boz is singing to a girl who should be concentrating more on him than herself. Now I like that idea. This is a great slow dancing song, so play this for your love on those weekend when there is nothing else to do.
7. Running Blue. This song shows up on Boz’s 1971 Boz Scaggs and Band LP. This song is 100% blues all the way and then some. Perfect for dancing to, you will find yourself singing about leaving your billfold at the airport, too.
6. Miss Sun. This gem from 1981 was Boz’s last hit before his brief hiatus from the music business. This song is so smooth you can cut a block of hardened cheese with it. Lisa Dal Bello sings backup for Boz here and she does an amazing job. This song appears on Boz Scaggs Hits! LP.
5. Moments. From the LP with the same name, Shakespeare probably could have written this himself. One of Boz’s best ballads, this ranks up there with We’re All Alone but also has a dream like quality to the song. One can almost hear the waves gently rolling in the distance on this song. The LP cover is of Boz standing on a beautiful California beach, so that would explain the smooth sound. But don’t confuse this with the Beach Boys: this is smooth velvet that will wrap you up on a cold winter’s night.
4. Jojo. Notwithstanding the subject of the song, this is an urban soul song that appears on the 1980 Middle Man LP. It’s hard to miss the cover for this disc: it’s of Boz with his head resting against a lady’s thigh covered in a fishnet stocking. This LP alone has some really great songs overall.
3. We’re All Alone. Rita Coolidge had a hit with this song, it’s been covered by Reba McEntire, Frankie Valli, Cecilio & Kapono, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Walker Brothers, Johnny Mathis, and even Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. We’re All Alone remains very popular with newlyweds and continues to be covered by new artists. As the saying goes, no matter how many times a song gets covered, nothing beats the original, and being penned by Boz himself, well, that’s all that really needs to be said. Hint: pick up a copy of Silk Degrees to hear the original.
2. Georgia. If you have ever been to a Boz Scaggs concert, chances are that you will hear at least one person in the audience request Boz to perform it. This wonderfully rocking song appears on his Silk Degrees disc and showcases his velvet voice. The song is about a man who is singing from his jail cell to his girlfriend, but this song is so happily upbeat, you couldn’t tell there’s supposed to be a tinge of sadness in the song. You will have to hear the song to find out what happens to the subject of the song.
1. Look What You’ve Done to Me. This song appeared on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. Definitely one of the best ballads of the 1980’s, Boz outdoes himself with this song. If you’ve ever seen Boz perform live, chances are you will hear this song about a unexpected love coming into your life.
