In September 2016, Gov’t Mule released an animated video for their rendition of ZZ Top’s heavy-blues piece “Just Got Paid.” Although the video is new, the cover was recorded in 1994, before the release of Gov’t Mule’s debut album. Again, although the recording is old, the song is featured on their latest archival album “The Tel-Star Sessions,” which was released in August 2016 via Provogue/Mascot Label group. The record features never-before released demos recorded by Warren Haynes, Allen Woody, and Matt Abts in June 1994 at Tel-Star Studios in Bradenton, Florida. The collection of songs were intended to make up the trio’s debut album, but they changed the plans and released an entirely different material as their debut record in 1995. Gov’t Mule had a tour with ZZ Top, and in honor of bringing together of two of the finest guitar-based blues-rock bands around, the band teamed up with Polish illustrator Tomek Zwlazlak to create this awesome animated video.
The original song was written by Billy Gibbons and Bill Ham, released on ZZ Top’s second album titled “Rio Grande Mud” in 1972. The release peaked at number 104 on the Billboard 200 and the only single from it was the controversial song "Francine" which peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Another memorable rendition of “Just Got Paid” was released on “Two Nuns and a Pack Mule,” the first and only LP by the Chicago noise rock band Rapeman. It’s faster and much heavier than both of the versions mentioned above.
