They originate from Edmonton, Kentucky. Chris Robertson and John Fred Young, son of The Kentucky Headhunters' rhythm guitarist Richard Young, started to play music together early in their teens and Jon and Ben soon followed. Black Stone Cherry officially formed on June 4, 2001. They then took over the practice house that had been used by The Kentucky Headhunters since 1968 and began to record tracks. After the band finished recording, they returned to Edmonton for a homecoming gig in the gym of the local middle school, which was attended by 1500 people. After the band’s self-titled debut album was released, Chris's former school principal invited the band back to Edmonton to celebrate with a concert. As the band entered the town, the streets were covered with signs welcoming them back.
In July 2007, they released a second EP containing the song "Rain Wizard" along with two previously unreleased tracks.
The first live album by Black Stone Cherry was released on October 31, 2007 immediately following the concert at the Astoria in London. They joined Def Leppard and Whitesnake in the summer of 2008 for European dates.
On August 19, 2008 Black Stone Cherry released their second album, entitled Folklore and Superstition. Three singles from the album, "Blind Man", "Please Come In" and "Things My Father Said" have been released.
In May 2009, they supported Nickelback's Dark Horse tour.
The White Trash Millionaire Songfacts states that their third studio album, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, got an unexpected early release on the bittorrent tracker, Demonoid on May 27, 2011 due to an employee error at an unspecified Walmart. The official release date was May 31, 2011.
The band recorded a new album in fall 2013, through early 2014. Magic Mountain was released on 6 May 2014, reaching number five in the UK albums chart. The first single was "Me and Mary Jane"
On October 7, 2015, it was revealed that the band had signed to Mascot Label Group, and had begun recording the follow-up to Magic Mountain for a 2016 release. The album was recorded in the same location as the self-titled album; Glasgow, Kentucky. The album, entitled Kentucky, was released on April 1, 2016 and became their second consecutive #1 album on the Billboard Hard Rock albums chart.
In February 2018, the band released their first single, Burnin', from their new album Family Tree which released on 20th April 2018 through Mascot Records.
Black Stone Cherry's music style is often associated with bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Black Crowes, and Led Zeppelin to a lesser extent. While there are clear influences in Black Stone Cherry’s music, they have created their own style to a great extent. The musical tone and composition of Black Stone Cherry is very comparable to that of Brand New Sin and Zakk Wylde's Pride and Glory.
The song writing of Black Stone Cherry is often praised for great storytelling and delivering a strong message. For example, the song "Lonely Train" is about the effect on families when a relative goes to fight in a war. The song "Rain Wizard" is about a local legend of mysterious wisemen who could bring the rain in times of drought. "Backwoods Gold" is about a local man who ran moonshine out of the hardware store in the middle of Edmonton.
Shapes of Things
Black Stone Cherry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just teach me to despise
Will time make men more wise?
Here within my lonely frame
My eyes just heard my brain
But will it seem the same?
Come tomorrow, may be a soldier
Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?
Now the trees are almost green
But will they still be seen
When time and tide have been?
Fallin' into your passing hands
Please don't destroy these lands
Don't make them desert sands
Come tomorrow, will I be older?
Come tomorrow, may be a soldier
Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?
Soon I hope that I will find
Thoughts deep within my mind
That won't displace my kind
The lyrics of Black Stone Cherry's song "Shapes of Things" describe a sense of existential questioning and concern for the future. The opening line "Shapes of things before my eyes, just teach me to despise" suggests that the singer is feeling disillusioned with the world around them and is struggling to reconcile what they see with their own values and beliefs. They wonder if "time will make men more wise" and if things will change for the better in the future.
The second verse sees the singer contemplating their own sense of isolation and wondering if their perception of the world is accurate or if it will "seem the same" in the future. They express a desire to grow and change, asking "will I be older...may I be bolder than today?"
The third verse shifts from introspection to concern for the wider world. The singer notes that the trees are starting to green, but wonders if they will survive in the face of changing tides and time. They implore those around them to take care of the land, asking "Please don't destroy these lands, don't make them desert sands."
Overall, the lyrics of "Shapes of Things" reflect a sense of uncertainty and worry about the future, both on a personal and global level. The singer is grappling with questions of identity and purpose, and wondering what kind of world they will inherit and leave behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Shapes of things before my eyes
I see things that make me question and hate what I perceive
Just teach me to despise
These experiences only serve to fuel my hatred and anger toward the world
Will time make men more wise?
I wonder if time will bring wisdom and understanding to humanity
Here within my lonely frame
I am isolated and introspective in my current state
My eyes just heard my brain
My thoughts and perceptions are at odds with each other
But will it seem the same?
I question if my perceptions will remain the same in the future
Come tomorrow, will I be older?
I wonder if I will have gained more life experience by then
Come tomorrow, may be a soldier
Maybe I will have to fight for something by then
Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?
I hope that I will have the courage to face whatever challenges come my way in the future
Now the trees are almost green
I see that the seasons are changing and time is moving forward
But will they still be seen
I wonder if these natural beauties will still exist in the future
When time and tide have been?
After the passage of time and the forces of nature have taken their course
Fallin' into your passing hands
I am at the mercy of outside forces that I cannot control
Please don't destroy these lands
I plead for the preservation of nature and the environment
Don't make them desert sands
I fear that humanity's actions may cause irreparable harm to the land
Soon I hope that I will find
I am optimistic that I will have a new perspective or ideas
Thoughts deep within my mind
I am searching for deeper understanding and insight
That won't displace my kind
I hope that my newfound knowledge or beliefs won't alienate or conflict with others like me
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fede camusso ARG 🇦🇷
I'm fucking addicted to this song.....from Argentina!
Luis Nasche
Well done folks. I love this song and this is one of the top versions I've heard for sure.
Christos Soumpasis
by FAR the best cover of this song.
Bernie Stick
You guys did a superb performance on this cover. Well done!
Diane Broude
Been a fan for a few years and I can't believe I never heard this song. So you say this is a cover song? Who is the original artist? Song KICKS ASS anyhow! BLACK STONE CHERRY ROCKS!!!
Сергей Колосов
Super thanks ❤️
Carol Mcgahan
What a great name.
Ricky Lee
Really liking this cover, but would like it more if the drummer cut back on the fills.
Brad Refalo
It’s a very big shame that black stone cherry never came to australis
Mickey Sanker
Nazareth had the best version of the song. This is the Jeff Beck arrangement of the song it is good but Manny Charlton's arrangement is much better. But that is only my opinion. I am a big fan of the boy's from Glasgow Kentucky.