At the time of their 1990 debut, the kind of rock & roll the Black Crowes specialize in was out of style. Only Guns N' Roses came close to approximating a vintage Stones-style raunch, but they were too angry and jagged to pull it off completely. The Black Crowes replicated that Stonesy swagger and Faces boogie perfectly. Vocalist Chris Robinson appropriated the sound and style of vintage Rod Stewart while guitarist Rich Robinson fused Keith Richards' lean attack with Ron Wood's messy rhythmic sense. At their best, the Black Crowes echo classic rock without slavishly imitating their influences.
The Robinson brothers originally formed the Black Crowes in Georgia in 1984. By the time of their 1990 debut, Shake Your Money Maker, the group comprised Chris Robinson (vocals), Rich Robinson (guitar), Johnny Colt (bass), Jeff Cease (guitar), and Steve Gorman (drums). "Jealous Again," the first single from Shake Your Money Maker, was a moderate hit but it was the band's cover of Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle" that made the group a multi-platinum success. "Hard to Handle" climbed its way into the Top 40, propelling the album into the Top Ten. The acoustic ballad "She Talks to Angels" became the band's second Top 40 hit in the spring of 1991. Shake Your Money Maker would eventually sell over three million copies.
The Black Crowes delivered their second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, in the spring of 1992, adding new lead guitarist Marc Ford and keyboardist Eddie Harsch. It entered the charts at number one, but it didn't have as many hit singles as the debut; none of the singles cracked the Top 40 and only "Remedy" and "Thorn in My Pride" made the Top 100. Nevertheless, the band established themselves as a popular concert attraction that summer, selling out theaters across America. The Black Crowes' third album, Amorica, arrived in late 1994. Amorica debuted in the Top Ten, but none of the singles from the album made the charts; even though the record went gold, it slipped off the charts in early 1995.
Three Snakes & One Charm, the group's fourth album, was released in July of 1996. The album entered the charts at number 15, but it quickly slipped out of the Top 50. Nevertheless, the album received the best reviews of any Crowes album since The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Guitarist Marc Ford was fired from the Black Crowes in August, 1997; two years later, the group returned with By Your Side. In mid-2000, the band collaborated with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page on the double-disc Live at the Greek, an eclectic mix of newly recorded Zeppelin covers and additional classic blues cuts. A Tribute to a Work in Progress: Greatest Hits 1990-1999, a 16-track best-of compilation was also released in mid-2000. The Don Was-produced Lions appeared in spring 2001, and a summer tour with Oasis -- the Tour of Brotherly Love -- followed in June. But all was apparently not well with the group, in January of 2002 the band announced that they were on hiatus. Drummer Steve Gorman was fired from the band, and Chris Robinson announced his intentions for a solo career.
The Black Crowes have since reunited. All members circa 1992 are back, with the addition of one of their previous bassists, Sven Pipien, and harmony singers Mona Lisa Young and Charity White. They are enjoying a renaissance within the group as well as with their longtime fan base and have been consistently touring since formally reuniting in March 2005. In November of 2007, it was announced that North Mississippi Allstar guitarist Luther Dickinson formally joined the band, replacing Paul Stacey. He appears throughout the Crowes' album Warpaint, which was released in March of 2008.
In late 2019, during an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Chris and Rich Robinson announced that they had resolved their differences (the brothers hadn't spoken in the years since the band's 2015 split). Besides the Robinson brothers, the reunited lineup featured an entirely new backing band including guitarist Isiah Mitchell (from the bands Earthless and Golden Void), bassist Tim Lefebvre (formerly of the Tedeschi Trucks Band), keyboardist Joel Robinow, and drummer Raj Ojha. This line-up premiered at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City on November 11, 2019 where they played the entire Shake Your Money Maker album.
Heavy
The Black Crowes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way I feel nobody would believe
All these things that you do
You know they drive me out of my mind
And as mean as you are
You know you are my kind
They way you put on your clothes
The way you scratch your nose
When you watch it grow
For the first time
I know you're mine
And if you want to know
I'll tell you so
What can I say
I just want you to stay
You're so heavy, you're so heavy
Lordy baby you do get under my skin
Who you kidding baby
You know I'll do it again
Lordy baby you left me black and blue
But that's okay because I know that you dig it too
The way you say hello
When you dig a hole
When you wear yellow
When you play your cello
The way your story goes
They way you make me glow
When you let it snow
What I knows I knows
In this song, The Black Crowes sing about a person they are infatuated with, despite their flaws and the negative effects they have on them. The opening lines set the tone of the song, with the singer asking their love interest what is wrong with them because the strong emotions they feel seem to be abnormal. The things that this person does are described as driving the singer out of their mind, yet they still cannot help but be drawn to them.
The second verse continues with the singer acknowledging the physical harm that this person has caused them but also accepting it because they believe that the other person enjoys it, too. The chorus then repeats that this person is "heavy," which could mean both that they are emotionally taxing and significant or literally weighty.
Throughout the song, the lyrics are dotted with details about this person - the way they dress, move, talk, and other idiosyncrasies that make them unique. Despite the challenges that come with being in love with this person, the singer wants them to stay and admits their attraction to them.
Overall, "Heavy" is a song about the complicated, messy nature of love and how one can find themselves drawn to someone despite the ways they might cause pain or stress.
Line by Line Meaning
Lordy baby could you tell me what's wrong with me
As a lover, I am intensely drawn to you, but I'm uncertain about what's driving my passion.
The way I feel nobody would believe
The intensity of my emotions is considered unbelievable by those around me.
All these things that you do
Your distinct fashion, style, and behavior are the cause of my infatuation.
You know they drive me out of my mind
The little things that you do make me think of you nonstop and obsessively attracted to you.
And as mean as you are
You may not treat me kindly, but that doesn't stop my unwavering admiration for you.
You know you are my kind
I accept that we have fundamental differences, but still convinced that we are a perfect match for each other.
They way you put on your clothes
Your personal style and flair when dressing is striking and has a powerful effect on me.
The way you wiggle your toes
Even the smallest of your movements don't go unnoticed by me and are enough to excite my likely obsession toward you.
The way you scratch your nose
Something as simple as watching you unconsciously scratch your nose is intriguing to me and leaves me transfixed.
When you watch it grow
Even your most mundane daily actions, such as watching your nose grow, has an enchanting effect on me.
For the first time
Through our interactions in our relationship, I've discovered a happiness and contentment that I have previously never known.
I know you're mine
I want to make it clear that I see you as my partner, soulmate, and love interest for the long haul.
And if you want to know
If you desire a confirmation of my feelings or thoughts, I am willing and eager to express them to you.
I'll tell you so
There is no reason to beat around the bush or hold back with my feelings for you - I will tell you what I know to be true about us.
What can I say
I'm left almost speechless, and at a loss for words, when trying to express just how deeply I care for you.
I just want you to stay
My heart aches with the fear of losing you or potentially pushing you away from me. I genuinely hope you feel the same way and want to stick around long-term.
You're so heavy, you're so heavy
Your presence, aura, and weight in my mind and heart is substantial, significant and cannot be ignored.
Lordy baby you do get under my skin
The effect that you have on me is so profound that, at times, it feels like you have infiltrated every part of my being.
Who you kidding baby
I'm well aware of your charm, your beauty, and what an enigmatic person you are.
You know I'll do it again
Despite knowing that being in a relationship with you may lead to difficulties or heartache, I am unable to resist my feelings for you.
Lordy baby you left me black and blue
Even though your actions may result in hurt or pain, I'm willing to put up with it for the sake of being with you.
But that's okay because I know that you dig it too
I understand that our relationship may not be a bed of roses, but I believe you feel the same way as I do about us and are committed to this relationship.
The way you say hello
Even the way you say the simplest of phrases such as 'hello' can have a mesmerizing and lasting effect on me.
When you dig a hole
Even when you're engaged in more unusual or menial tasks, my admiration for you remains strong.
When you wear yellow
Your fashion choices not only make a statement about your tastes and preferences, but they also bring a sense of joy and liveliness to my life.
When you play your cello
Your artistic abilities and talents continue to attract and inspire me, and are another reason why I am so drawn to you.
The way your story goes
Your life experiences and story are unique, and I find them fascinating and compelling.
They way you make me glow
You have the ability to make me feel happy, appreciated, and loved, which is an incredibly gratifying feeling.
When you let it snow
Even in seemingly unpleasant situations such as snow and cold weather, you still have the ability to bring warmth and happiness into my life.
What I knows I knows
My feelings towards you are true, steadfast, and unwavering, and I know in my heart of hearts that we are meant to be together.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ROBINSON, CHRISTOPHER MARK ROBINSON, RICH ROBINSON, RICH S. ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind