Song of the Day: Scuttle Buttin’ (by Stevie Ray Vaughan)

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Arleigh

If you’re diving into Stevie Ray Vaughan, you’ve gotta start with “Texas Flood“—that’s his absolute magnum opus, where his insane technique clashes head-on with raw, improvisational creativity in the most soul-shaking way. It’s like he’s channeling every ounce of Texas blues heartache through those bends and sustains, turning a cover into something timeless and volcanic.

“Scuttle Buttin’“, though? That’s SRV straight-up flexing for the shredders of his era, proving he could hang with the fastest gunslingers on the block while keeping it filthy and fun. It’s less about deep emotional pours and more about cocky, machine-gun precision that still drips with blues swagger—no fancy effects, just pure Stratocaster fury.

The real fireworks hit in the guitar solo, which begins around the :35 second mark, where he unleashes a torrent of rapid-fire picking, hammer-ons, and pulls that’d make any ’80s metal dude sweat. It’s not just speed for speed’s sake; every phrase snaps back to that gritty SRV attitude, like he’s daring you to keep up while grinning the whole time.

Trust me, crank this one up if you want to hear why Vaughan wasn’t just a blues guy—he was a monster who could out-shred anyone on their own turf. Jimi Hendrix had “Little Wing” to showcase his guitar solo mastery, but for SRV, “Scuttle Buttin’” was that track, proving why, of all the guitar players since Hendrix, only SRV truly picked up the mantle of the blues musician who straddled both blues and rock genres, making them bend to his will and talent. That’s why SRV is only surpassed in my mind by Hendrix as the greatest rock guitarist of all-time and top 5 guitarist regardless of music style.

Great Guitar Solos Series

Song of the Day: Texas Flood (by Stevie Ray Vaughan)

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Arleigh

It’s nearly impossible to put together any “greatest guitar solos of all time” list without including today’s entry in our Song of the Day series.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was a once-in-a-generation talent, taken far too soon. After years of grinding as a session guitarist for various bands and artists, he finally broke through to the stardom he always deserved. His playing echoed the giants who came before him—Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Muddy Waters—while carving out a voice that was unmistakably his own. He didn’t just bridge rock and blues; he ruled both.

He also holds a personal distinction for me: he was the first artist of any kind who made me weep after I learned of his passing. I found out while I was away on a school retreat as a high school senior, and the news hit with a kind of weight that only true musical connection can carry.

“Texas Flood” captures SRV at his absolute peak. The main guitar solo erupts around the 2:30 mark, where Vaughan stretches the song into a slow-burning, emotionally charged showcase of phrasing, tone, and control. It’s less about speed and more about feel—every bend and vibrato lands with purpose. No matter how many players try to replicate what he achieved with a Fender Stratocaster, Vaughan remains untouchable—the undisputed king.

Texas Flood

Well theres floodin down in texas….all of the telephone lines are down
Well theres floodin down in texas….all of the telephone lines are down
And Ive been tryin to call my baby….lord and I cant get a single sound

Well dark clouds are rollin in….man Im standin out in the rain
Well dark clouds are rollin in….man Im standin out in the rain
Yeah flood water keep a rollin….man its about to drive poor me insane

Well Im leavin you baby….lord and Im goin back home to stay
Well Im leavin you baby….lord and Im goin back home to stay
Well back home I know floods and tornados….baby the sun shines every day

Great Guitar Solos Series

27 Days of Old School: #25 “Voodoo Child” (by Stevie Ray Vaughan)

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Arleigh

“Well, I’m standing next to a mountain, chop it down with the edge of my hand”

To close out the night we have Stevie Ray Vaughan at #25 with his excellent cover of the classic Hendrix track, “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)”.

The blues wasn’t a genre of music that I had much experience growing up during the 80’s. It was during a senior retreat that I was introduced to one of the blues rising stars during that era of my life. He was Stevie Ray Vaughan and I only got to know him after he had already passed into legend after he died in a helicopter crash.

Since then I’ve become not just a major listener of blues and blues rock music, but I would say I’ve become a connoisseur.

While I’ve since listened to Jimi Hendrix’s original of the song and consider it the best version, I will always have a special place in my musical library for the one and only SRV.