Texas Flood

The harmonic structure of Texas Flood is a textbook 12-bar slow blues in 12/8 time. Its distinction lies not in chordal innovation, but in the specific voicing of dominant 9th chords and the half-step down tuning which allows for heavier string tension and a darker resonance in the concert key of Gb. The progression follows the standard I-IV-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-V pattern. Vaughan utilizes the 'Quick Change' in bar 2 to create immediate harmonic movement. The turnaround in bars 11 and 12 is particularly notable for its use of ascending melodic lines that resolve on the Db9 (V chord), signaling the start of a new chorus or solo section.

Written by Larry Davis in 1955 while in California, the song was originally recorded by Davis in 1958. Stevie Ray Vaughan was introduced to the track by Angela Strehli at Antone's club in Austin, Texas. Vaughan and Strehli worked out the song at the club, and drummer Chris Layton recalled that Albert King brought Larry Davis to the venue several times, which further exposed Vaughan to Davis's guitar parts.

Vaughan transformed Larry Davis’s 1958 regional hit into a global blues standard through his 1983 debut album and legendary live performances. This extended version highlights his signature use of G-flat tuning and mastery of the 12/8 shuffle rhythm.