The 20 Best Boz Scaggs Songs, from Silk Degrees to Middle Man

What is Boz Scaggs' most famous song?

"Lowdown" is Boz Scaggs' most famous song, a silky 1976 hit that reached number three in America and won a Grammy for Best R&B Song. "Lido Shuffle" is his best-known rocker, and "We're All Alone" is his most beloved ballad.

Boz Scaggs' early songs

1. "Loan Me a Dime", 1969: a long, slow blues featuring Duane Allman on guitar.
2. "We Were Always Sweethearts", 1971: an upbeat single from Moments.
3. "Dinah Flo", 1972: a soulful, horn-driven favorite.
4. "Slow Dancer", 1974: the smooth title track of his move toward soul.

Boz Scaggs songs from Silk Degrees

5. "What Can I Say", 1976: the breezy first single from the album.
6. "It's Over", 1976: a confident, groove-heavy opener.
7. "Lowdown", 1976: his signature hit and a Grammy winner.
8. "Georgia", 1976: a sunny, soulful love song.
9. "What Do You Want the Girl to Do", 1976: a cover of the Allen Toussaint song.
10. "Harbor Lights", 1976: a lush, cinematic ballad.
11. "Lido Shuffle", 1977: a driving rocker and a top 20 hit.
12. "We're All Alone", 1976: the closing ballad, later a hit for Rita Coolidge.

Late-70s and 80s Boz Scaggs songs

13. "Hollywood", 1977: a stylish single from Down Two Then Left.
14. "Hard Times", 1977: a moody, soulful track from the same album.
15. "Breakdown Dead Ahead", 1980: a punchy rock hit from Middle Man.
16. "Jojo", 1980: a slick, jazzy hit co-written with David Foster.
17. "Look What You've Done to Me", 1980: a ballad from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack.
18. "Miss Sun", 1980: a cool, late-night groove from his first hits album.
19. "Heart of Mine", 1988: a warm comeback single from Other Roads.
20. "Some Change", 1994: the reflective title track of his 90s return.

Who is Boz Scaggs?

William Royce "Boz" Scaggs was born in 1944 in Canton, Ohio, and grew up in Oklahoma and Texas, where he met Steve Miller at school in Dallas. He played in the early Steve Miller Band before going solo, and his 1969 album with the Muscle Shoals musicians and Duane Allman earned him a cult following. After years of critical praise, Silk Degrees made him a star in 1976. He later stepped back from recording, ran a nightclub in San Francisco and returned with a run of blues and soul albums, including Memphis, A Fool to Care and Out of the Blues.

Silk Degrees and the birth of Toto

Silk Degrees (1976) reached number two on the album chart and became one of the defining records of the late 70s, with a polished blend of rock, soul and disco. The studio musicians who played on it, including keyboardist David Paich and drummer Jeff Porcaro, went on to form the band Toto. Paich also co-wrote several of the album's songs with Scaggs, including "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle".

Boz Scaggs' best albums

• Boz Scaggs (1969): recorded in Muscle Shoals, with "Loan Me a Dime".
• Moments (1971): a warm mix of rock and soul.
• Slow Dancer (1974): his turn toward smooth soul, produced by Motown veteran Johnny Bristol.
• Silk Degrees (1976): his masterpiece and biggest seller.
• Middle Man (1980): sleek late-era hits like "Jojo" and "Breakdown Dead Ahead".
• Memphis (2013): a soulful late-career return to his roots.

Boz Scaggs and yacht rock

Silk Degrees and Middle Man are often named as cornerstones of what fans now call yacht rock, the smooth, studio-polished soft rock of the late 70s and early 80s. Alongside Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross and Toto, Boz Scaggs helped define a sound built on jazzy chords, soulful vocals and flawless session players, and a new generation has rediscovered it through streaming playlists. For another band from the same smooth era, see our Little River Band songs.

The story behind Lowdown

Boz Scaggs and David Paich wrote "Lowdown" with a laid-back, funky groove that crossed over to R&B and disco radio. It became his biggest single and won the 1977 Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song, an unusual honor for a rock singer at the time.

The story behind We're All Alone

"We're All Alone" closed Silk Degrees, and its sweeping melody quickly attracted other singers. Rita Coolidge's 1977 version became a top ten hit, and the song has since been recorded by many artists. Boz Scaggs' own version remains a favorite slow dance for fans of 70s soft rock.

Boz Scaggs songs for a slow dance or dinner party

For a slow dance, "We're All Alone", "Harbor Lights" and "Look What You've Done to Me" are timeless choices. For a dinner party, a playlist of "Lowdown", "Georgia", "Jojo" and "Miss Sun" sets a smooth, sophisticated mood. See our old love songs and slow dance songs for more classics.

A smooth soul song about your story

For a Boz Scaggs fan, a personalized song can bring that smooth, soulful sound to their own story: their name, the people they love and the moments that matter, in an R&B, jazz or rock style. It makes a great birthday or anniversary gift.

How to create a personalized R&B song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: R&B, jazz, rock and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories or details about them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them a smooth song of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.