Stampede Songs Ranked

Stampede is the fifth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The album was released on April 25, 1975, by Warner Bros. Records. It was the final album by the band before Michael McDonald replaced Tom Johnston as lead vocalist and primary songwriter. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA. Stampede showed the band diversifying elements of their sound more than ever before, combining elements of their old sound as well as country-rock, funk and folk music. Many guest musicians contributed on the album including Maria Muldaur, Ry Cooder and Curtis Mayfield. This was the first album featuring Jeff “Skunk” Baxter as a full-fledged member of the band. He had previously played on a couple of songs as a guest on the two previous albums and toured with the band prior to this one. Here are all of Stampede’s songs ranked.

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11. Sweet Maxine

“Sweet Maxine” is kick-ass country rock, boogie, gospel, and rockabilly all rolled up into a big fat Doobie! Sweet Maxine is sweet and a sweet Doobies song, all the elements you look for.”

10. Double Dealin’ Four Flusher

“Pat Simmons’ “Double Dealin’ Four Flusher” finale rocks us right out of the album to hitting the PLAY button for a second go. Pat wails vocals and guitar leads (shared with Tom and Skunk) while Bill Payne lays down honky-tonk piano boogie that just before the end of the song segues into a tight jazz improvisational piece and then jump starts the whole band into electric finish.”

9. Neal’s Fandango

“Neal’s Fandango” is a fast-paced southern rock tune with GREAT arrangements. Love the Allman Brothers Band style guitar solo and how it switches into a country guitar solo, piano and then blasting us with an electric guitar solo.”

See more: The Doobie Brothers Albums Ranked

8. I Been Workin’ on You

“The center stop gap with overlaid strings and pedal steel changes the hot shuffle to country ballad instrumental carrying the song to fruition and then Tom amps it up with a rocking soul “I Been Workin’ On You” complete with gospel choir backings (Venetta Fields three-girl unit that backed Take Me In Your Arms as well).”

7. Texas Lullaby

“Texas Lullaby” again demonstrates Tom’s best talents. He sings this old country home styled ballad with soul and heart. The strings envelope bass and country twang guitars with gentle caress and Pat and Tiran back him up nicely. Halfway through the song Tom lets Skunk play around a nice country-fried jazz lead before he finishes off the vocals to a pedal steel coda.”

6. Rainy Day Crossroad Blues

“Rainy Day Crossroad Blues” is another top form acoustic guitar blues work by Tom. Three guitars are now supplemented by the one and only Ry Cooder on bottleneck. It slides up and downbeats and shuffles itself right into your soul.”

5. Music Man

“Then…Motown comes calling on the ranch. Tom’s “Music Man” goes soul right away with Curtis Mayfield flourishes and a funky R&B guitar accent. Choruses are gospel tinged and after two full minutes the string section and guitars carry the song to dizzying heights and exit. Another prime example of Doobie Brothers adventures in artwork.”

See more: The Doobie Brothers Songs Ranked

4. Précis

“Précis” is a classical style guitar piece written and performed by Skunk. Another brief interlude before the final three songs chop more wood..”

3. Slat Key Soquel Rag

“Beautiful guitar work of Pat, Tom, and Skunk provides an intermezzo called “Slat Key Soquel Rag” (scored by Pat) before the Doobies go Motown again with the amazing cover of Holland-Dozier-Holland’s hit “Take Me In Your Arms”. With the same kind of revitalizing energy that they provided for blues covers on TOULOUSE STREET, the Doobies hit the bull’s-eye dead center with this R&B classic.”

2. I Cheat the Hangman

“I have always felt that Pat Simmons’ beautiful composition ‘I Cheat the Hangman’ was the finest song on the album and certainly one of the Doobies best five songs, period. Pat Simmons is one of the most unacknowledged composers in the rock world, and he provided the bulk of the continuity needed for the invasion of Michael McDonald.”

1. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)

“The chord progression changes and lead guitar work in center field, leading to last verses with whistling develops another sure sign that Tom saved some of his best material for this album.”