Texas Flood

Album: Texas Flood (1983)
Charted: 64
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Texas Flood" was made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1983, but the song dates back to 1958, when it was first recorded by an Arkansas blues singer named Larry Davis. It was Davis' first single. He sang on his version and played bass, but Fenton Robinson was the guitarist.

    Thanks to the mention of Texas, the song found its way to blues bars in that state, including Antone's in Austin, which is where Stevie Ray Vaughan discovered it.
  • Stevie Ray Vaughan made "Texas Flood" the title track to his 1983 debut album; it became one of his most popular songs and one he played live at many shows throughout his life.

    The album catapulted Vaughan to international fame. Previously, he had a following in Texas and was known for his guitar work on David Bowie's album Let's Dance, where he's featured on the songs "Let's Dance" and "China Girl." On August 27, 1990, Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash after performing with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and his brother Jimmie Vaughan. He was 35.
  • Vaughan often played the solo with his guitar behind his head, a nod to Jimi Hendrix and T-Bone Walker.
  • The phrase "Texas Flood" never shows up in the lyric, but the first lines are:

    Well there's floodin' down in Texas
    All of the telephone lines are down


    There really was flooding in Texas in 1957 and 1958, which likely inspired the song. Like many blues numbers, it tells the story of a guy with girl problems - he can't get through to her because of the floodwaters, so he decides to go somewhere else where the weather is more clement. The dark clouds and flood are an apt metaphor, but in this case they could also be literal, since it's possible this guy got caught in those historic Texas floods.
  • The song is credited to Larry Davis and his arranger, Joe Scott. There is some dispute on the authorship; The Blues Foundation reports that the song may have been written by Ernest Lane, a former bandmate of Davis.

Comments: 12

  • Chris from Harrison, ArThose of you outside the US that have a limited exposure to blues guitarists like Stevie should definitely check out some stuff by Jimmie Vaughan, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Walker, Albert King, and Guitar Slim, just as a start. It was guys like them that helped shape Stevie into the virtuoso that he will be forever. Check out the SRV box set for some really great live performances that can't be found anywhere else. The first two tracks on disc 3 are probably the best live set I've ever heard and the DVD from the Austin City Limits tv show has probably the best rendition of "May I Have a Talk With You" ever recorded. If you're reading this, you won't be disappointed.
  • Melanie from Seattle, Wanick from australia - SRV died in 1990 (RIP Stevie) so we cant see him in concerts anymore... I was born in the wrong decade, I really would have loved to go to a SRV concert. He was so talented.
  • Nick from Cairns, AustraliaI've just started hearing him a few weeks ago so I started with his greatest hits. But i'm lovin what I'm hearing, you guys in texas must be lucky to have a great blues guitarist as well as gettin the chance to see him in concerts.
  • Carole from Sacramento, CaPersonally speaking SRV is #1 on my all time best guitarists list, above Hendrix. Hendrix was a bit too unstructured and undisciplined for my taste
    After SRV then Duane Allman, than Michael Schenker. Just my taste personal taste.
  • Blake from Tahlequah, OkIm pretty much going through every stevie ray song on here saying that he is the best man ever to pick up a guitar. I pitty the fool who has never heard his work. The world is a lesser place without him he is the number two person I want to meet. Right behind jesus!!
  • Ed from Lake City, Flstevie is the greatest guitarist ever. his version voodoo chile is a lot better than hendrix,s
  • Brad from Hickory, NcSRV was a god of guitar making that Strat send sounds of heaven on earth bending strings and blasting notes so pure into our psyche.

    He died too sound.

    The Sky Is Crying.

    Brad, Hickory NC
  • Brad from Sartell, MnThis song is amazing. SRV will live on forever. His music and playing style is proof of that. This man would be drenched in sweat, with his eyes closed just playing his heart out. Not for fame or glory, or his paycheck, but just blasted away on that old strat for us fans. He truly adored each and every one of us.....just listen.
    Thank you Stevie for giving us this music to enjoy for years to come. We truly miss you man.
  • Joe from Lbuquerque, NmStevie is surpassed only by Jimi Hendrix as the greatest guitarist ever, Stevie had a natural ability that some are just born with and this song shows it.
  • Bobpape from Austin, TxYeah, I agree with Kenny! Before he became nationally famous, I saw Stevie Ray ( with Double Trouble) at local Austin clubs for only a cover charge! I even saw a couple of his free concerts at the lake! You just knew that this guy was gonna be a national hit some day! By the way, I believe it was Eric Clapton, right after Stevie's last concert, who called him the greatest blues guitarist that he'd ever heard.
  • Kenny from Wilmot, Nhwhy is there only one song here? he's got a whole library of songs that kick a**!!!probably the best guitarist ever.PERIOD!!!
  • Sara from Austin, Tx*bows*
    Stevie is my God.
    guitarists like me can only dream of reaching half his level of greatness. why did he have to leave us so soon?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."