They released their first album, The Big Come Up, in 2002, followed by Thickfreakness in 2003, and Rubber Factory in 2004. October 2005 saw the release of the DVD Live, recorded live at The Metro Theatre in Sydney, Australia March 18, 2005. In 2006 they released Magic Potion, as well as the lesser-known Chulahoma and a single version of Your Touch.
One of their trademarks is their preference for simple, lo-fi recording techniques. They refuse to use big-name studios, and do most recording, producing, and mixing themselves. Most of Thickfreakness was recorded in about 14 hours in Carney's basement, using only an early 80's Tascam 388 8-track recorder. Often, their recordings still have background noises (such as an owl hooting).
The Black Keys have achieved increasing critical acclaim and recognition since their debut album, which itself received praise from Rolling Stone magazine. Time magazine named them one of the "10 Best Acts of 2003" (behind OutKast and The White Stripes). They have supported a number of bands: they toured with Sleater-Kinney in 2003, had a short stint opening for Beck, have recently opened for Radiohead on the American leg of their brief 2006 tour, and performed at Lollapalooza in 2005 and 2007. In addition to this, they were also well-liked by influential British radio DJ John Peel and appeared on both Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Late Show with David Letterman. Famous followers of the band include Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammet. Matt Helders, drummer for the Arctic Monkeys, can be seen in a Black Keys T-Shirt in an interview on MTV's RAW.
Their song "When the Lights Go Out" was featured in the 2007 film Black Snake Moan, and also on the soundtrack for that movie. The Black Keys were included in the soundtrack of the 2003 movie School of Rock with their song, "Set You Free". "Lies" was featured in the conclusion of the February 4, 2009 episode of Lie to Me. One of their songs, "Girl Is on My Mind", was used in a 2006 Sony Ericsson advertisement, starring the tennis players Ana Ivanović and Daniela Hantuchová, gaining the band more commercial recognition. It was also used in a 2006 Victoria's Secret commercial featuring Heidi Klum and could be heard in the movies Rest Stop and Cashback. Their song "10 am Automatic" was used in the video game MLB '06: The Show, The O.C., The Go-Getter, and was also used in a 2007 American Express commercial starring Shaun White. "Your Touch" was featured in a 2007 Lee's jeans commercial, and can be heard both in an episode of NBC's Friday Night Lights and in an episode of "Eastbound and Down". Their cover "Grown So Ugly" can be heard in the background of the going away party in the 2007 film Cloverfield. "Strange Times" is used in Grand Theft Auto IV on the in-game radio station Radio Broker. "Strange Times" can also be heard during a preview for ABC's The Mole, and the trailer for season three of the Showtime series Dexter, as well as a promo for Gossip Girl. Their song "Just Got To Be" is used on the soundtrack for the video game NHL 08, and "Hard Row" is featured in the premiere episode of the FX show Sons of Anarchy. Sons of Anarchy has gone on to use "Keep Me" in both Episodes 6 and 7, as well as "Busted" in episode 7. The song "Lies" is featured in the advertising campaign for the third season of HBO's Big Love. "The Breaks" can be heard in Guy Ritchie' film RocknRolla. "Your Touch" can also be heard in the HBO series "Entourage" in the episode "Manic Monday", during the opening scenes. The song "Psychotic Girl" is featured the episode "Messin' with the Kid" in season 6 of One Tree Hill. "I'll Be Your Man" is the opening theme song for the HBO show Hungand was also featured in an episode of the FX Network show Rescue Me. "Your Touch" can also be heard in the film Zombieland and in an episode of "Eastbound and Down" on HBO. The song "I Got Mine" has been used in HBO's sports reality series 24/7 Pacquiao-Hatton" [13] as well as background music for the 2009 American League Championship Series. The song "Next Girl" is featured in the in game radio of Saints Row the Third.
Their fourth record that Danger Mouse produced Attack & Release was out April 1st 2008. The duo's fifth album is the first one recorded in a proper studio.
The Band's fifth album, "Brothers" was released in spring 2010 and has seen increasing amounts of exposure to the "Dancing T-Rex" video for the song "Tighten Up" that went viral...until the band asked it to be removed because they felt it made light of their music. A proper video was released later in 2010, featuring Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney at a playground and was pushed on the band's official YouTube channel, as well as through the iTunes and Zune marketplaces. The track "Tighten Up" was also used as the background music for a Subaru Legacy commercial and on the FIFA 2011 Soundtrack.
The Black Keys' seventh studio album, "El Camino," was released on the 6th of December 2011. Co-produced by Danger Mouse, the album was released to critical acclaim, receiving positive reviews from The Rolling Stones, NME and more. Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly commented on "El Camino", saying that "El Camino trades the soulful stylings of Brothers for harder-driving, faster-riffing rock & roll". At the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, El Camino won the award for Best Rock Album, while "Lonely Boy" received multiple honors, taking 'Best Rock Performance' and 'Best Rock Song'. The album has sold 1.4 million copies in the United States to date.
The Black Keys' eighth studio album, Turn Blue, was released on May 12, 2014 to generally favorable reviews.
Everlasting Light
The Black Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your sun when there is none
I'm a shepherd for you
And I'll guide you through
Let me be your everlasting light
Let me be your everlasting light
Your home when there is cold
In me you can confide
When no one's by your side
Let me be your everlasting light
Oh baby, can't you see
It's shining just for you
Loneliness is over
Dog days are through
They're through
Let me be your everlasting light
Your train going away from pain
Love is the coal that makes this train roll
Let me be your everlasting light
Yeah, let me be your everlasting light
Let me be your everlasting light
Be your everlasting light
The opening lines of The Black Keys' song "Everlasting Light" set the tone for a romantic and comforting message. The singer offers to be a constant source of warmth and guidance for his lover. This is symbolism for the human need for support and companionship, especially during tough times.
The "sun when there is none" lyric conveys the message that even in the darkest moments, there is hope and light. The singer refers to himself as a "shepherd" who will lead his lover through life, offering guidance and protection. This metaphor is to show the singer will be the strength of his beloved one.
As the song progresses, the chorus repeats phrases like "let me be your everlasting light" and "love is the coal that makes this train roll." It's a clear message about how love can be a guiding force, like the engine that propels a train forward. The song conveys the message that with love and support, anything is possible.
Overall, "Everlasting Light" is a beautiful and uplifting love song that reminds us that love can be a powerful force in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me be your everlasting light
I want to be the constant source of light that shines on your path and stays with you forever.
Your sun when there is none
I'll be there for you when you feel lost and hopeless, and you can count on me to brighten up your days.
I'm a shepherd for you
I'll protect you and guide you through the tough times, just like a shepherd takes care of their flock.
And I'll guide you through
I'll be your compass and lead you towards a better future, no matter how challenging the journey may be.
Your home when there is cold
I'll be your shelter and safe haven when things get tough and you need a warm embrace.
In me you can confide
You can trust me with your deepest fears and secrets, and I'll keep them safe and secret.
When no one's by your side
I'll be there for you even when everyone else has deserted you, and you'll never have to face your troubles alone.
Oh baby, can't you see
I hope you realize how much I care for you, and how much I want to be there for you.
It's shining just for you
The love and light I have for you are unique and special, and I want you to know that you're the only one who can ignite my passion.
Loneliness is over
I want to banish all your feelings of loneliness and replace them with warmth, joy, and love.
Dog days are through
The tough times and struggles you've faced in the past are gone, and the future is bright and hopeful.
Your train going away from pain
Your life can be a journey towards happiness and fulfillment, and I want to help you leave your pain and struggles behind.
Love is the coal that makes this train roll
Love is the fuel that powers our lives and moves us forward, and I want to be the one who provides that love and support for you.
Be your everlasting light
I want to be the one who stays with you through thick and thin, and who shines a light on your life, forever.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Auerbach, Patrick Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind