Top 60 Foghat Songs

Anybody who was around the London Blues scene in the late 60s will remember the band Savoy Brown. If we are talking about blues bands, there were only two bands ahead of them at the time. They were Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and Chicken Shack with Christine Perfect. And, if you want to know what they sounded like, you could start with The Best of Savoy Brown.

Savoy Brown, led by the recently departed Ken Simmonds, wanted to further their career. So, they left the UK and based themselves in America. In 1971, three members of Savoy Brown left to form a new London-based band, Foghat.

The three who left Savoy Brown were Dave Peverett, Roger Earl on drums, and Tony Stevens on bass. And they were later joined by ex-Black Cat Bones slide guitar player Rod Price. They played a hard-driving cross between Rock and Blues with a bit of Boogie Rock thrown in.

Like Savoy Brown, they went to America and based themselves there… 

Foghat became hugely popular for their style of music. Rod Price left the band early due to the shift from a pure Blues/Rock style to a more Pop-based style.

Even though they have lost members over the years, they continue to release albums. And their music is still as powerful as it always was. They have been making great music for over fifty years. It won’t be easy to find the Top 10 Foghat songs that will be representative of all those years. But, let’s try.

Top 60 Foghat Songs

1 I Just Want to Make Love to You

This is an old Blues standard by Willie Dixon. Over the years, it has been recorded by a range of people, including Etta James and The Rolling Stones. They included it on their studio album, Foghat, and it has been included in various compilations. There is also an 8-minute-long version on their live album.

It was released as a single in 1972 and reached #83 on the American chart. A powerful version of this “Chicago-style” Blues standard. It was produced by Welsh boogie rocker Dave Edmunds.

2 Night Shift

Here is a song taken from their sixth album of the same name. It was released in 1976, and the album reached #36 on the American album chart. This album saw the arrival of a new bass player Craig MacGregor. But that didn’t alter the sound produced. A great Blues/Rock style as an opening gets the song moving, but then there is the blues break in the middle section.

After some bluesy guitar soloing, we return to the hard-rocking basis of the track. If you like Foghat, then this is going to be one of your favorite Foghat songs.

3 Fool For The City

This was the opening track on the band’s album of the same name. Also, it would often be used as the opening song at concerts. When the track was recorded in Vermont, Foghat didn’t have a bass player at the time the song was laid down. So, producer Nick Jameson filled in on bass.

The job had been offered to a British blues bassist, who turned it down. Finally, the job went to American Craig McGregor. That proved to be a good choice, as he stayed with them for several years.

“Fool For The City” is a well-used story of a country boy who goes to seek his fortune in the city. It is more Rock n Roll than Blues and trundles along at a nice pace. Additionally, this song showed another side of what the band was capable of. For that reason, it ranks among the Top 10 Foghat songs.

4 Chateau Lafitte ’59 Boogie 

In 1974, Foghat established their credentials even more to the American market with the release of their album, Energized. That was essentially an album that was mainly what you might call “Boogie Rock.” Having seen it improve their standing, they produced another similar album in 1974, Rock and Roll Outlaw. 

“Chateau Lafitte ’59 Boogie” was the final track on the Rock and Roll Outlaw album. It was written by Dave Peverett and Rod Price and was the perfect song to showcase his slide guitar playing. 

This is serious Boogie Rock, and it powers along at a frantic pace. It goes on for just over six minutes and, of course, was always a popular part of their stage performances for a while.

5 Stone Blue

“Stone Blue” was a track taken from the album of the same name and became one of Foghat’s best-selling songs. In 1978, the single reached #36 in America and #61 in Canada. The album also sold well, peaking at #25 in America. But, it also made a small impact in Australia, where it reached #82.

The song was written by Dave Peverett and has been a fixture of their stage shows for many years. It is an interesting song, and what I am going to say might sound ridiculous to some. 

But, can you hear a bit of Van Halen in the way they were now playing? Without the Flying Dutchman’s virtuoso guitar, of course. Put his guitar on this track, and you have an early Van Halen song. I suggest the live version since that is the only way to hear one of the best songs by Foghat.

6 Third Time Lucky

If you were looking for a change of direction and style from a band that produced so much Blues and Rock, then this was it. “Third Time Lucky” was taken from the album Boogie Motel.

All the tracks on Boogie Motel were written by Dave Peverett, and they signaled a massive change of direction. Many didn’t like that change, but in some ways, it became inevitable. 

Personnel changes can bring in new influences and new ideas, which create a new sound. Some see it as evolving, while others will not agree. I have included it here just as a contrast to what has gone before and as a variation to what will come as we progress on my list.

7 Honey Hush

So, let’s go back to a bit of Boogie Rock which many would say was when they were at their best. This is a track from the album that really helped to establish them, 1974’s Energized.

It is basic in its concept, with some added drum breaks. And, at times, an almost Black Sabbath-type rhythm guitar behind the solos. It wasn’t released as a single but was the opening track on the album.

8 Drivin’ Wheel

Foghat were probably at their best and the peak of their career in the mid-1970s. This is a song from that period released in 1976 from the album Night Shift. It reached #34 on the American Singles chart and #41 in Canada.

For those that remember them, this is the sound of Foghat most want to hear. The drums up in the mix drive it along, and there is the essential Price slide guitar solo. Dave Edmunds’s production is excellent, and it all makes for one of the greatest Foghat songs. Furthermore, it has been featured in numerous driving computer games.

9 Burning The Midnight Oil

Another track from the Night Shift album. This album had a slightly different sound from what had gone before. It was produced by Dan Hartman, who had previously worked with Edgar Winter. He gave them a harder but more commercial sound which exposed them to a wider audience. And he did this whilst retaining their Blues/Rock style.

This is the third track on the album. By this time in the band’s career, you can hear the change from their 1972 efforts. Hartman, along with principal songwriter and singer Dave Peverett were most responsible for that shift.

You could argue that they had moved away from the Blues-based Rock they began with. And there would be some truth in that. But as I said, the music was now generating a wider audience which also showed in the stage shows.

10 Slow Ride

If you were to ask most Foghat fans what their favorite song was, I think most would probably choose this. Another song from the mid-70s, but this time from the Fool for the City album released in 1975.

A lot of “mainstream-focused” sounds on view here, but it still retains their Rock roots. The album version lasts for over 8 minutes, but the single was reduced to 3 minutes 56 seconds to ensure airplay. Unsurprisingly, their live versions are longer than the album version. 

Also not surprising is that this became one of the most popular Foghat songs. “Slow Ride” reached #20 in America and #14 in Canada and was a fixture in their live performances.

11 Maybelline

12 Easy Money

13 Night Shift (Alternate Version)

14 Ride, Ride, Ride

15 Road Fever

16 Blue Spruce Woman

17 Stranger in My Home Town

18 Shake Your Money Maker

19 Stay With Me

20 Burnin’ the Midnight Oil (Live Version)

21 Save Your Loving (For Me)

22 Sweet Home Chicago

23 Bad Bad Lovin’

24 Take This Heart of Mine

25 Dreamer

26 Stranger in My Hometown (Live Version)

27 What a Shame

28 I’m a Rock & Roller

29 It Hurts Me Too

More 30 Foghat Songs

30. 30. I Ain’t Got You
    31. Angel of Mercy
    32. Take It or Leave It
    33. Eight Days on the Road
    34. Step Outside
    35. Rock Your House
    36. Wild Cherry
    37. Feel So Bad
    38. Chateau Lafitte ’59 Boogie (Live Version)
    39. Fool for the City (Live Version)
    40. Slipped, Tripped, Fell in Love
    41. Trouble in My Way
    42. Drivin’ Wheel (Live Version)
    43. Jane’s Passage
    44. Terraplane Blues
    45. Feelin’ Good
    46. I’ll Be Standing By
    47. Take Me to the River
    48. Nothin’ But Trouble
    49. Honey Hush (Live Version)
    50. Angel
    51. Chevrolet
    52. Wide Boy
    53. Stranger in My Hometown
    54. Fly by Night
    55. Love in Motion
    56. Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ in My Bed
    57. She’s Gone
    58. Heart Gone Cold
    59. Long Way to Go
    60. Live Now Pay Later

Need More Rock and Blues Music in your Library?

Well, check out our thoughts on the Best Bread Songs, the Top 10 Styx Songs, the Top 10 James Gang Songs, the Top 10 Songs by The Who, the Best Fleetwood Mac Songs, and the Best The Guess Who Songs of All Time for more awesome song selections.

Of course, you need to listen to them. So, take a look at our in-depth reviews of the Best Headphones for Music, the Best Headphones For Rock & Metal Music, the Most Comfortable Headphones, the Best Headphones with Volume Control, the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, and the Best Headphones Under $200 you can buy in 2023.

Top 60 Foghat Songs – Final Thoughts

A band that changed hats more than once. When Foghat left the UK, the Blues scene was not what you would call huge in comparison to other genres. But, it was stable and had its hardcore venues, bands, and adherents.

Going to America certainly changed their style. They became less Blues and more Rock-oriented. And, as time went on, commercial viability became central. Of course, that was not the only time that their music evolved in other directions. The album Boogie Motel was another radical change. 

Successful?

If we are honest, their success was modest compared with others at the same time. Many of their singles peaked on the charts in the 20s and 30s. As I said, modest success. However, they had a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. And to maintain that for as long as they did proves they were valued and appreciated. Furthermore, many would say they were one of the most underrated bands of the time.

This list is just my choice, of course, and all these things are down to personal taste. So, why don’t you listen to The Best of Foghat and decide for yourself, and let us know in the comments below? Whatever you choose, it has to be said that Foghat really knew how to play some Rock and Blues.

Until next time, happy listening.