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"Boogie Chillen" is a blues song written by John Lee Hooker. It is considered one of the genre's most important and influential recordings.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Origins 2 The recording 3 Cover versions 4 External links 5 References

Hooker moved to Detroit in 1943, attracted by well-paying factory work. Taking up residence in Detroit's east side, he found a position as a janitor at Chrysler. After work, he would take in the sights and sounds of Hastings Street, the cultural center of the city's black community, called Paradise Valley. The scores of blues and jazz clubs, many of which Hooker would eventually play, would influence the lyrics of "Boogie Chillen."

Hooker presented the song to local record store owner and producer Bernard Besman. Liking what he heard, Besman brought Hooker to United Sound Studios, located at 5840 2nd Ave. in Detroit, to record the track. The arrangement is sparse, featuring Hooker's twangy electric guitar, raspy stuttering voice, and tapping foot keeping the beat.

On November 3, 1948, "Boogie Chillen" was released nationally on the Los Angeles-based Modern Records label, coupled with "Sally May," as Modern 20-627. The former entered the Billboard R&B chart in January 1949, staying for 18 weeks and peaking at #1.

Hard rock band Led Zeppelin incorporated "Boogie Chillen" into their "Whole Lotta Love" medley, and played the song at virtually every show between 1970 and 1973. Performances can be heard on BBC Sessions and How the West Was Won.

The rerecording of "Boogie Chillen" as "Boogie Chillen #2", most commonly heard on Canned Heat and John Lee's collaborative album Hooker 'N' Heat was the basis of the boogie style famously used by ZZTop on their signature song "La Grange" and was the subject of a lawsuit in 1995.

• Lyrics

La Cienega Music Co. v. ZZ Top.