Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: hard-rock
Song Meaning of “Big Shiny Nine” by ZZ Top
Big Shiny Nine is a blues-rock anthem from ZZ Top about a man who’s peaceful life gets unexpectedly upended by romance. He feels like his carefree, settled lifestyle suddenly changed with the arrival of a distraction in the form of a woman. The man finds himself captivated by her beauty and presence, but is uncertain about what will happen next.
The ‘big shiny nine’ of the title could be interpreted as a reference to a gun, which is a symbol of power and risk. In this case, the gun may symbolize the man’s emotions, as he stands at a crossroads of uncertainty of what will happened with the woman. He knows that their relationship will be risky, but he is finding the courage to face the fears head on, and decides to jump into it whether or not the outcome is uncertain.
The lyrics of the song convey the idea that in life, sometimes you just have to take risks and let events take their course, no matter how terrifying that may be. The song ultimately serves as an anthem to embracing life and all its challenges, no matter what they may be.