"Leila" is a song by American rock band

ZZ Top ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969. For almost 56 years, it consisted of vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard (musician), Frank Beard, and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill prior to his death in 2021. ZZ ...

, from their 1981 album '' El Loco''. The song is a

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...

with country and western influences and features Mark Erlewine on steel guitar. '' Record World'' called it a "gorgeous ballad

hat A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...

highlights Billy Gibbons'

Brian Wilson Brian Douglas Wilson (June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025) was an American musician, songwriter, singer and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often Brian Wilson is a genius, called a genius for his novel approaches to pop compositio ...

-ish falsetto vocal flights."

Charts

Personnel

* Billy Gibbons: guitar, steel guitar, vocals * Dusty Hill: bass * Frank Beard: drums *Mark Erlewine: pedal steel

References

1980s ballads 1981 singles ZZ Top songs Songs written by Frank Beard (musician) Songs written by Dusty Hill Songs written by Billy Gibbons 1981 songs Warner Records singles Rock ballads Song recordings produced by Bill Ham {{1980s-single-stub