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.
Busted
The Black Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But my heart won't let me die
If you feel alright darling
Won't you come around
Won't you come around
'Round, 'round
'Round, 'round
Please won't you let me know
I'll play it all night darling
Walk through my door
Walk through my door
Walk through my door
Door
Door
Door
Door
In the song Busted, The Black Keys address the theme of heartbreak and the inability to let go of one's true feelings. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and desperation, as the singer admits to being "busted" and unable to move on from a failed relationship. The line "But my heart won't let me die" suggests that although the singer is hurting, they are determined to keep going despite their pain.
The second verse of the song reveals that the singer is still hoping for a reconciliation with their former lover, as they plead for them to come around and walk through their door. They ask for a sign of love in return, begging their former partner to let them know if they still have feelings for them.
The repetition of the word "door" in the chorus is significant, as it emphasizes the idea of opening oneself up emotionally and inviting another person back into their life. The chorus serves as a plea for forgiveness and a reconciliation of their past relationship.
Overall, The Black Keys use powerful, emotive language to convey the pain and desperation of heartbreak and the struggle to move on from a failed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm busted, yes I'm busted
I'm in a really tough spot right now, completely broke and beaten down.
But my heart won't let me die
Despite everything, I still have some fight left in me because of my love and passion for life.
If you feel alright darling
If you're doing well and feeling good about life,
Won't you come around
Could you please come spend some time with me?
Won't you come around
I really could use some company and support right now.
'Round, 'round
It would mean a lot to me if I could see you and we could spend some time together.
'Round, 'round
Let's spend some time together and chase away all the worries and stress for a while.
If you love me like I love you
If you feel the same way that I do about you and our relationship,
Please won't you let me know
Could you please tell me how you feel and where we stand?
I'll play it all night darling
I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy, even if it means playing music all night long.
Walk through my door
I'm inviting you to be a part of my life by coming into my home and spending time with me.
Walk through my door
I want you to feel as comfortable and welcomed as possible when you come over.
Walk through my door
I'm opening up myself to you and showing you my vulnerable side by inviting you in.
Door
My door is always open for you, and I hope you take me up on this invitation to spend some time together.
Door
Let's build a relationship based on mutual love and support, starting with you walking through my door.
Door
This door represents a new start and a way forward for us, as we face life's trials and tribulations together.
Door
Let's leave the past behind and focus on what really matters: our love for each other and our shared journey ahead.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Quine Auerbach, Patrick James Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eye Said It
Well I'm busted, yes I'm busted
But my heart won't let me die
If you feel alright darling
Won't you come around
Won't you come around
'Round, 'round
'Round, 'round
If you love me like I love you
Please won't you let me know
I'll play it all night darling
Walk through my door
Walk through my door
Walk through my door
Door
Door
Door
Door
Jen Ford
cannot believe I did not discover this incredible band until today! the 5 minutes it took me to drive home from work has changed my musical life forever. I am in absolute love! never have I felt this strongly about a band. ever. wow!
Mr. Bubbsy
real rock , straight up with no bs , black keys are a great band!
Nanku42
Indeed
IntoPeezysMind
I usually listen to rap.. But this band opened my ears! I love their music
Bagotrixnskillz
Good god. I've never heard music like what Dan and Pat make, it just moves me and hits me in ways words can't even express. They are the one modern group who's music just has that passion and raw power to it. When I hear a song by them I don't just listen with my ears but I feel it in my soul.
drumsofthunder32
i know most people think they probably sold out, but the black keys have matured gracefully. everything in their catalogue is a must hear.
grant chacon
Wow these guys proved me wrong, I thought classic rock/blues would never come back, but they have brought it back!
Berenice Perez
Love Black Keys since day 1 . One of my fav songs.
Mindundi Cabreao
Cuando la música de estos tíos valía la pena... :(
hispanicmagic
If it wasn't for talented Musicians like this keeping the blues alive.. we would be stuck in a World of Gaga's and Rhianna's.. Thank you Black Keys for understanding Music and doing what you can to make those that say "there is no good music anymore" wrong as hell!! :D