The song is a deliberate return to ZZ Top's blues roots, dropping the synthesizers and back to the guitar.[1]
The single features two previously unreleased live recordings that were captured "live and sly during one of the many ZZ Top late nights". The first live song is a cover version of "Stop Breaking Down Blues" by the blues musician Robert Johnson; that song was only played live during the 1996 Continental Safari Tour. The second live song is "Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings", originally from their 1975 album Fandango!.
^ abZZ Top Returns to its Blues Roots, Billboard - 17 Aug 1996 - Page 13 "The first single from "Rhythmeen," "What's Up With That," goes to radio Sept. 3. "It's a snaky, sinewy blues song that will surprise a lot of people," says Surratt, who is targeting mainstream rock formats and, because of the song's "texture," .. Dave Richards, PD of active rock station WRCX Chicago, has tested "What's Up With That" for 50 people "The worst response was, 'That's pretty good,' and the best was, 'Wow! These guys are back! The synthesizers are gone, they're playing guitar and sounding like ZZ Top — and it's still a catchy ZZ Top song.' " "
^Marjorie Galen, Gordon Matthews Legends of Rock 1403737193 - 2007 "Always tasteful, always cool in a cartoon kind of way, ZZ Top has cruised slow and steady up the charts, time and time ..."Gimme All Your Lovin", "Legs", "Sharp Dressed Man", "Sleeping Bag", "Doubleback", "Pincushion", "What's Up with That", "36-22-36".. "
^The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002 2002- Page 219 James Harman.. ... television, radio, festivals world-wide; Songs for films; Several songs used in TV shows; Plays in every major blues festival world-wide; Played harmonica on ZZ Top single. What's Up With That; Appeared on David Letterman Show, 1997."
