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.
Shake
The Black Crowes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker, and then
I got a girl lives up on the hill
I got a girl lives up on the hill
You gotta shake your moneymaker
Shake your money maker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker, and then
I got a girl and she just won't be true
I got a girl and she just won't be true
She's locked to the bridge, she won't do a thing I tell her to
She won't shake her moneymaker
Won't shake her moneymaker
She wanna roll her activator
She won't shake her moneymaker
She won't shake her moneymaker
She won't
The Black Crowes's song "Shake" is a classic blues-rock track with a simple message: shake your moneymaker. The term "moneymaker" is common slang for the buttocks, and in this song, the singer is encouraging everyone to get up and dance. The repeated use of the phrase "shake your moneymaker" creates a hypnotic rhythm that drives the song forward.
However, the lyrics also tell a story about the singer's failed relationships. He talks about two different girls, one who lives up on a hill and promises to love him but won't, and another who won't be true and won't dance like he wants her to. The singer seems frustrated and disillusioned with love, and instead of dwelling on his problems, he chooses to focus on the positive energy of dancing.
Overall, the song seems to be about the power of music and dance to bring people together and lift them up, even in hard times. By encouraging everyone to shake their moneymaker, the singer is inviting them to let go of their worries and enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Shake your moneymaker
Do you have something worthwhile to offer? Then prove it by showcasing your skills or abilities.
Shake your moneymaker
Don't just stand there; do something to impress others.
Shake your moneymaker
Demonstrate your worth and catch the attention of potential partners or job opportunities.
Shake your moneymaker
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and show what you've got.
Shake your moneymaker, and then
Once you've shown your value, be ready to take advantage of any opportunities that may come your way.
I got a girl lives up on the hill
I am romantically involved with a woman who lives in a higher social status than me.
I got a girl lives up on the hill
I am attracted to someone who is perceived to be above my level.
Says she gonna love me but I don't believe she will
Despite declarations of affection, I doubt the genuineness of her feelings.
You gotta shake your moneymaker
To win her affection or gain her attention, you must demonstrate your worth.
Shake your money maker
Use all means necessary to come out on top, particularly when it comes to romance.
I got a girl and she just won't be true
Despite a commitment to our relationship, she is unfaithful to me.
I got a girl and she just won't be true
My significant other does not uphold her promises or obligations.
She's locked to the bridge, she won't do a thing I tell her to
She is steadfast and unyielding, refusing to heed my counsel or follow my lead.
Won't shake her moneymaker
She refuses to prove her worth or demonstrate her abilities.
She wanna roll her activator
She is content with her current situation and is not willing to strive for something better.
She won't shake her moneymaker
She is not interested in improving her circumstances, whether it be in love or work.
She won't
Despite my best efforts or pleas, she remains steadfast in her ways.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elmore James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
psychochayden69
Let's do a list of bands that have had good first albums
1. Black Crowes- Shake Your Moneymaker
2. Guns N' Roses- Appetite for Destruction
3. AC-DC- High Voltage
4. Metallica- Kill Em' All
5. Van Halen- Van Halen
6. Ozzy Osbourne- Blizzard of Ozz
7. Poison- Look What the Cat Dragged In
8. Bon Jovi- Bon Jovi
9. Boston- Boston
There's many more I like, but this is all I can think of.
Limits98
Twice as Hard 00:00-04:08
Jealous Again 04:11-08:44
Sister Luck 08:48-13:59
Could I've Been So Blind 14:03-17:46
Seeing Things 17:49-23:06
Hard to Handle 23:09-26:17
Thick n Thin 26:19-29:01
She Talks to Angels 29:03-34:33
Struttin Blues 34:34-38:44
Stare It Cold 38:45-43:58
Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy Sweet Moan 44:04-45:06
Favorite Again
1. Jealous Again
2. Hard to Handle
3. Sister Luck
4. She Talks to Angels
5. Twice as Hard
6. Seeing Things
7. Could I've Been So Blind
8. Struttin Blues
9. Stare It Cold
10. Thick n Thin
11. Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy Sweet Moan
1990
Living Colour- Time's Up
Alice in Chains- Facelift
The Black Crowes- Shake Your Money Maker
Pantera- Cowboys From Hell
A Tribe Called Quest- People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Jane's Addiction- Ritual de lo Habitual
Gang Starr- Step in the Arena
Ice Cube- Amerikkka's Most Wanted
Mother Love Bone- Apple
Depeche Mode- Violator
Brand Nubian- One For All
Public Enemy- Fear of a Black Planet
Mariah Carey- Mariah Carey
The Sisters of Mercy- Vision Thing
LL Cool J- Mama Said Knock You Out
Megadeth- Rust in Peace
BellBivDivoe- Poison
Deee-Lite- World Clique
Sinead O'Connor- I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
George Michael- Listen Without Prejudice
Pixies- Bossanova
Sonic Youth- Goo
charles baer
1. "Twice As Hard" 4:09
2. "Jealous Again" 4:35
3. "Sister Luck" 5:13
4. "Could I've Been So Blind" 3:44
5. "Seeing Things" 5:18
6. "Hard to Handle" * 3:08
7. "Thick n' Thin" 2:44
8. "She Talks to Angels" 5:29
9. "Struttin' Blues" 4:09
10. "Stare It Cold" 5:13
11. "Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy
Dennis Vengland
"Twice As Hard" 4:092."
Jealous Again" 4:353."
Sister Luck" 5:134.
"Could I've Been So Blind" 3:445."
Seeing Things" 5:186.
"Hard to Handle"*3:087.
"Thick n' Thin" 2:448."
She Talks to Angels" 5:299.
"Struttin' Blues" 4:0910.
"Stare It Cold" 5:1311.
"Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy, Sweet Moan" (hidden trac
charles baer
'
'
'
''
1. "Twice As Hard" 4:09
2. "Jealous Again" 4:35
3. "Sister Luck" 5:13
4. "Could I've Been So Blind" 3:44
5. "Seeing Things" 5:18
6. "Hard to Handle" * 3:08
7. "Thick n' Thin" 2:44
8. "She Talks to Angels" 5:29
9. "Struttin' Blues" 4:09
10. "Stare It Cold" 5:13
11. "Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy
'
''
'
CasperC8
As a guitar player, this album is one of the most fun albums to play along with. Fantastic band! Every song on the album is a jewel!
Greg
Open G greatness all day long. I used to play the first three tracks all on guitar all the time 30 years ago.
Alex
YOU KNOW A RECORD IS A MASTERPIECE WHEN LISTENING TO IT YEARS AND YEARS LATER IT STILL GIVES YOU THE SAME VIBRATIONS AND EMOTIONS AS THE 1ST TIME YOU LISTENED TO IT. THIS IS EXACTLY THE CASE……..A TIMELESS MASTERPIECE !!!!!!
Marcos Peralta
Nunca me canso de escucharlo 😸😸😸💣🤟
birdman
I forgot how good this album was. Almost every song is awesome.
Arctic
Picked this album up today from my record store, and I have zero regrets!
Bob Scott
That last little hidden track deserved to be a full song on this album. This is one of my all time favorite albums and I'm glad it's on here. We lost all of our music collection in the July flood, so it's good to be able to hear this again.
Mike Smith
Amen!!!!!!!!!
Luis Vazquez
Oh brother, I now that hurts! I lost half my collection in a robbery to my apartment a few years ago (500+ CDs in that moment) and besides the big sadness, it was the moment I switched to a digital music collection.
jessgale
Lost my mom 3 years ago. She used to love these guys. She played nothing but this album for a year straight in the early 90s. i just saw them for the first time Saturday. I cheered til I lost my voice and ugly cried the whole show. They are still incredible.