Dan Auerbach (born Daniel Quine Auerbach on 14 May 1979 in Akron, Ohio) is … Read Full Bio ↴Dan Auerbach (born Daniel Quine Auerbach on 14 May 1979 in Akron, Ohio) is an American musician. A multi-instrumentalist, Auerbach is best-known as the guitarist and vocalist for The Black Keys, a blues/rock group from Akron, Ohio.

Auerbach grew up in a family with musical roots. His second cousin once removed was the late guitarist Robert Quine, an American guitarist known for his innovative guitar solos. Auerbach became infatuated with blues music during his childhood after being exposed to old records by his father. Auerbach often uses an index finger fingerpick along with his thumb to play chords, a technique similar to many earlier blues players.

Formerly of the three piece Akron band The Barnburners from 2000 until 2002, Auerbach formed The Black Keys with drummer Patrick Carney.

Auerbach released a solo album - Keep It Hid - in 2009. Auerbach played most of the instruments on the album, with his cousin James Quine contributing rhythm guitar on two songs and harmony vocals on two more.

The Prowl
Dan Auerbach Lyrics

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I see you walkin' after dark
Trading looks with other men
But I'm the only one you need
And I know just where you've been

Oh can't you see the tears I cried?
And soak them up like a towel
For now I'll be one step behind

Oh girl, you got me on the prowl
Oh girl, oh girl, oh girl

I crawl around most every night
And I'm all wrapped up in your spell
I wish someone would understand
But you know I could never tell

I'll just live on in the dark
If there's no harm, there's no foul
Well my love for you is strange

Oh girl, you got me on the prowl
Oh girl, oh girl, oh girl, yeah

Overall Meaning

Dan Auerbach's "The Prowl" is a song about unrequited love and the struggle of watching the person you love from afar. The song's narrator is fixated on a woman who is uninterested and possibly even leading him on. He sees her out at night, exchanging glances with other men, but believes that he is the only one she truly needs. However, it is clear that he is not confident in his position as he says "And I know just where you've been" suggesting that he may be falling victim to paranoia and jealousy.

There is a sense of desperation and sadness in the lyrics as the singer admits to crying over this woman and being completely under her spell. Despite the pain, he cannot bring himself to move on and remains fixated on her. He is resigned to living in the shadows and continuing his stalking behavior as long as there's no harm done. The song highlights the addictive pull of unrequited love and the pain that it can cause.

Overall, "The Prowl" is a haunting and emotional song that captures the struggle of pining for someone who doesn't reciprocate your feelings. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man always on the outside looking in, filled with both love and longing.

Line by Line Meaning

I see you walkin' after dark
I observe you walking in the darkness

Trading looks with other men
Exchanging glances with other men

But I'm the only one you need
Despite exchanging glances, I am the only one you require

And I know just where you've been
I am aware of your whereabouts

Oh can't you see the tears I cried?
Why can't you see the tears I shed?

And soak them up like a towel
Absorb them like a towel

For now I'll be one step behind
I'll remain one step behind, for the time being

Oh girl, you got me on the prowl
I am in search of you, girl

I crawl around most every night
I move around on my hands and knees every night

And I'm all wrapped up in your spell
I am completely under your influence

I wish someone would understand
I desire for someone to empathize with me