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.
Burn the Damn Thing Down
The Black Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep down under the sea
Way up high to the top of the mountain
And everywhere in between
We've been rolling
We keep on rolling
We've been driving
If we make it to your town
We're gonna burn the damn thing down
We been flat-broke busted
Running on our borrowed time
The engine never rusted
'Cause we stay far down the line
We've been rolling
We keep on going
We've been high
Day and night
If we make it to your town
We're gonna burn the damn thing down
Keep on rolling
We keep on going
We've been high
Day and night
If we make it to your town
We're gonna burn the damn thing
Make it to your town
Gonna burn the damn thing down, woo-hoo
The lyrics of "Burn the Damn Thing Down" by The Black Keys convey a sense of relentless movement and rebellion. The imagery of being way out over the ocean, deep down under the sea, and way up high to the top of the mountain represents the vast and varied experiences the band has encountered on their journey. The line "everywhere in between" suggests that they have explored every possible place in their pursuit of adventure and exploration.
The repetition of the lines "We've been rolling, we keep on rolling" and "We've been driving, day and night" emphasizes their constant movement and tireless energy. It speaks to their determination and refusal to slow down or give up, no matter the obstacles they face. Despite being flat-broke and running on borrowed time, the band remains resilient and unstoppable.
The phrase "we stay far down the line" suggests that they are always ahead, pushing boundaries and breaking new ground. The engine that never rusts symbolizes their enduring passion and commitment to their craft. They are propelled by their unwavering drive to create and perform.
The chorus, "If we make it to your town, we're gonna burn the damn thing down," captures their rebellious spirit. It implies that their arrival in a town signifies a force to be reckoned with, ready to shake things up and leave an indelible mark. It suggests a desire to make a memorable impact and ignite change wherever they go.
Overall, "Burn the Damn Thing Down" is a powerful anthem about staying resilient, embracing adventure, and leaving a lasting impression. It speaks to the band's unwavering dedication and their determination to make their presence known.
Line by Line Meaning
Way out over the ocean
Venturing far away, beyond boundaries and limitations
Deep down under the sea
Exploring the depths, both physically and metaphorically
Way up high to the top of the mountain
Overcoming challenges and reaching new heights
And everywhere in between
Navigating through all the various experiences and places
We've been rolling
We have been continuously moving forward
We keep on rolling
We persist and never stop
We've been driving
We have been pushing forward with great determination
Day and night
Without pause, consistently
If we make it to your town
In the event that we arrive in your location
We're gonna burn the damn thing down
We will metaphorically ignite and revolutionize the atmosphere, bringing intense energy and excitement
We been flat-broke busted
We have been completely broke and financially struggling
Running on our borrowed time
Living with the awareness that our time is limited, making the most of every moment
The engine never rusted
Our passion and drive never diminished or deteriorated
'Cause we stay far down the line
Because we remain focused and committed to our path
We keep on going
We persist and continue moving forward
We've been high
We have experienced moments of elation and euphoria
If we make it to your town
In the event that we arrive in your location
We're gonna burn the damn thing down
We will metaphorically ignite and revolutionize the atmosphere, bringing intense energy and excitement
Keep on rolling
Continue moving forward
We keep on going
We persist and never stop
We've been high
We have experienced moments of elation and euphoria
Day and night
Without pause, consistently
If we make it to your town
In the event that we arrive in your location
We're gonna burn the damn thing
We will metaphorically ignite and revolutionize the atmosphere, bringing intense energy and excitement
Make it to your town
Arriving in your location
Gonna burn the damn thing down, woo-hoo
Exuberantly setting a metaphorical fire and creating an electrifying and unforgettable experience
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Quine Auerbach, Patrick James Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
비정한세상
"Burn The Damn Thing Down"
Way out over the ocean
Deep down under the sea
Way up high to the top of the mountain
And everywhere in between
We've been rolling
We keep on rolling
We've been driving
Day and night
If we make it to your town
We're gonna burn the damn thing down
We been flat-broke busted
Running on our borrowed time
The engine never rusted
'Cause we stay far down the line
Ranger Davis
This has an old school Rubber Factory feel. Love it 👍
Qorax
Nah old school steel mill.
bara922
I was listening to this while driving in my car, on a beautiful day, wearing my sunglasses. Absolute perfection.
The 2nd Coming
😂
bara922
@MrWolfzech hell yeah
MrWolfzech
Im gonna take my 67 for a cruise to this later.
AMM3
I think this might be my favorite new song of theirs and not just because I'm a pyromaniac 😁🔥
Ana Flores Lugo
Classic sound! Love it ♥
Widey xyz
Man this is good rock n roll.....These boys are the business....If Dan and Patrick ran the world everyone would be fed and watered there would be no wars and Men and Women would live in good times always!
Kurt Meister
That's a devo lyric!