10 Twisted Texas Songs

Texas songs aren't all bluebonnets, yellow roses, and floods. Recent contributions to the canon suggest the Lone Star State is especially adept at bringing out the macabre in natives and non-natives alike.

1) Toadies, "Tyler"

Tarrant County terrors describe an imminent rape with skin-crawling detail and head-splitting volume. (Rubberneck, 1995)

2) Jon Wayne, "Texas Funeral"

Feedback-drenched slice of Western noir from the album CMJ called "a stupid, hilarious, and twisted classic." (Texas Funeral, 1985)

3) Scarface, "Southside: Houston, Texas"

The most talented member of horror-rap groundbreakers the Geto Boys weighs in on his hometown. (My Homies, 1998)

4) The Reverend Horton Heat, "Livin' on the Edge (of Houston)"

Manic psychobilly rave-up about a "tortured artistic soul" and smack addict whose "daddy always pays your bail." (The Full-Custom Gospel Sounds, 1993)

5) Molly Hatchet, "T for Texas (Blue Yodel No. 1)"

Jimmie Rodgers' already ribald tune gets a hard 'n' heavy makeover from the post-Skynyrd Southern rock standard-bearers. (Live at the Agora Ballroom Atlanta, Georgia, 2000)

6) Butthole Surfers, "Dracula From Houston"

A track from the beloved Austin freaks' most recent disc suggests they've mellowed with age, but not much. (Weird Revolution, 2001)

7) Big Black, "Texas"

Seminal Chicago noise-punks' virulent ode to the Lone Star State says it all: "This is Texas, this is badass." (The Hammer Party, 1986)

8) Boss Hog, "Texas"

Cello-heavy waltz from post-Pussy Galore NYC R&B/punk artistes. (Boss Hog, 1995)

9) Junkyard, "Texas"

L.A. metallers' screeching homage to bassist Chris Gates' home state. (Junkyard, 1989)

10) Ünloco, "Texas"

Rantings of a tortured soul from present-day Back Room badasses. (Becoming I, 2003)