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.
For the Love of Money
The Black Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We would do most anything
Anything, for a taste of honey
We would do it all again
All again, yeah
We got tall, tall buildings
We got streets of gold
Bright, bright diamonds that shine like shame
Green, green acres and God's good name
For the love of money
We would sell our very souls
Goodness knows
Start acting funny, do anything that we're told
That we're told, yeah
We got fooled with riches, getting fat on lies
Nothing but trouble here in paradise
Deal's in the making, you just name your price
If your soul's for sale, you just name your vice
Don't need to tell you that money can buy you love, love
Once you get money then you'll never have enough, no
For the love of money
We will climb the highest hill
Yes, we will
Turn your back on Buddy
For a greenback dollar bill
Dollar bill, yeah
Love of money
Love of money, yeah
Love of money
Love of money, yeah
Love of money
Love of money, yeah
The lyrics to The Black Keys' song "For the Love of Money" explore the theme of how individuals are willing to do anything for the pursuit of money. The song suggests that the love of money drives people to compromise their principles, sell their souls, and act against their better judgment.
The chorus repeats the idea that people would go to great lengths for the desire of wealth. It implies that individuals would repeat their actions and be willing to sacrifice their integrity, all for the taste of wealth and success.
The verses depict a world consumed by materialism and the consequences that come with it. The mention of tall buildings and streets of gold symbolizes a lavish and opulent lifestyle. However, the line "Cheats and liars, our friends get old" suggests that relationships built on wealth and greed are not genuine and tend to fade over time. The lyrics also touch upon the idea that money can corrupt individuals, leading them to act in ways they wouldn't normally. The phrase "for a greenback dollar bill" indicates that people would turn their backs on their friends or values for monetary gain.
The song also highlights the notion that money alone cannot bring happiness or fulfillment. The line "Don't need to tell you that money can buy you love, love" implies that material wealth cannot substitute for genuine love and connection. Furthermore, it suggests that the pursuit of money can be relentless, as individuals who become obsessed with it will never feel satisfied and always want more.
Overall, "For the Love of Money" explores the destructive power of greed and materialism, shedding light on the human tendency to chase after wealth at the expense of true happiness and moral values.
Line by Line Meaning
For the love of money
Driven by the desire for wealth and material possessions
We would do most anything
Willing to go to great lengths or compromise our values
Anything, for a taste of honey
Ready to do whatever it takes for a momentary pleasure or reward
We would do it all again
Repeatedly engaging in actions for monetary gain
All again, yeah
Continuing this cycle without hesitation
We got tall, tall buildings
Acquiring impressive symbols of wealth and success
We got streets of gold
Living in opulence and luxury
Cheats and liars, our friends get old
Surrounding ourselves with deceitful and untrustworthy individuals
Bright, bright diamonds that shine like shame
Possessing valuable items that represent our immoral actions
Green, green acres and God's good name
Owning vast lands and invoking a falsely righteous image
We would sell our very souls
Being willing to sacrifice our integrity and morality
Goodness knows
Acknowledging that our actions are morally questionable
Start acting funny, do anything that we're told
Behaving strangely or immorally, obeying any command for money
That we're told, yeah
Blindly following instructions without questioning their ethical implications
We got fooled with riches, getting fat on lies
Deceived by the illusion of wealth, benefiting from dishonesty
Nothing but trouble here in paradise
Experiencing negative consequences despite living a seemingly perfect life
Deal's in the making, you just name your price
Engaging in negotiations where money determines the outcome
If your soul's for sale, you just name your vice
If your moral values can be compromised, you can choose your sinful desires
Don't need to tell you that money can buy you love, love
No need to explain that money can manipulate or purchase affection
Once you get money then you'll never have enough, no
Once wealth is obtained, the desire for more becomes insatiable
We will climb the highest hill
Striving for even greater levels of prosperity and success
Yes, we will
Without a doubt, we will pursue wealth
Turn your back on Buddy
Betraying our friends and loyalties for monetary gain
For a greenback dollar bill
Sacrificing relationships and values for money
Dollar bill, yeah
Money holds a significant influence and control over us
Love of money
Deep affection and obsession for wealth
Love of money, yeah
Intense attachment and infatuation with money
Love of money
Passionate devotion and preoccupation with wealth
Love of money, yeah
Strong desire and addiction to monetary possessions
Love of money
Adoration and fixation on material riches
Love of money, yeah
Excessive love and obsession for financial wealth
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Angelo T. Petraglia, Daniel Quine Auerbach, Patrick James Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy Diamond
With this album they went back to their roots and nailed it. 3 albums in 4 year... DAMN!
Qorax
Meh they already went back to their roots some time ago with the release of Delta Kream.
Best decision they've made IMO.
Blake B.
This album slaps so hard sweet lordy
Blake B.
@Vegan Higler I like their oldest album the most for sure but I still like this one.
Vegan Higler
Their old stuff a million times bettter
Given All
Heh.
Joel Escamilla
Harder than Will Smith?
John Orson
@Blake B. perfect response 😂
90s & 2000’s Daycore Audios
The Black Keys evolve more and more every album, some of the best music I’ve ever heard.
Lance Anthony
Evolution doesn’t always mean improvement, in that case I agree.