A pretty straightforward love song about being completely struck by a woman’s beauty, The Black Keys' “Howlin' For You” has been featured in a variety of films, commercials and television shows, sending the duo’s popularity skyrocketing. The Grindhouse style video is a consummate marriage of sleazy rock and roll and flashy and often sexy images, following a wronged woman along a sordid path of revenge.
"Howlin' for You" is featured on the soundtrack of the EA Sports video games, NHL 11, NHL Slapshot and Need for Speed Payback. The song is featured in the films and in TV commercials for The Dilemma, Limitless, The Guilt Trip, Moneyball, Dark Shadows, Citizen Gangster, and Deadpool. It is used as the theme song to the Australian police drama television series, Cops L.A.C., and has been featured in American television series, CSI: Miami, Detroit 1-8-7, Entourage, Once Upon a Time, Prime Suspect, Chuck, Necessary Roughness, Suits, Lucifer, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and The Chicago Code. MLB's Toronto Blue Jays used it as their home run song (except for José Bautista), and the NHL's Arizona Coyotes use it as their goal song. The song was also featured in NBA 2K14 and The Crew 2.
The song was used in a feature on Sky Sports coverage of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix. Samsung also used this in the Galaxy Note 8 promo and launch event livestream and is also being used in the ad for the Galaxy Note 8.
The song has also been used in the Honda CRV and Wells Fargo "Earning Your Trust" commercials.
The song's beat is similar to Gary Glitter's 1972 song "Rock and Roll (Part 2)".
An official video was released for the song. The music video—a parody of a sexploitation film trailer—was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero, starring Tricia Helfer, Diora Baird, Sean Patrick Flanery, Christian Serratos, Corbin Bernsen, Todd Bridges, and Shaun White, as well as Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of the band in the role of "Las Teclas de Negro" (comically translated from Spanish as "The Keys of Black").
A behind-the-scenes interview with Piliero, filmed during production of the video, has tongue-in-cheek commentary and brief clips of the cast members describing their characters.
The video was one of five nominees for the 2011 MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video.
Howlin' for You
The Black Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Well, now
I must admit, I can't explain
Any of these thoughts racin' through my brain
It's true
But, baby, I'm howlin' for you
There's something wrong with this plot
The actors here have not got
A clue
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Mockingbird, can't you see?
Little girl's got a hold on me
Like glue
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Yeah
Throw the ball to the stick
Swing and miss and a catcher's mitt
Strike two
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Yeah
Yeah
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
The lyrics to The Black Keys' "Howlin' for You" tell a story of a man's obsessive love for a woman. The man admits he can't explain the thoughts racing through his brain, but he's still "howlin' for" her. The song seems to be about his undying passion for a woman despite the fact that the "actors" surrounding him (perhaps friends or family) can't seem to understand why he's so deeply addicted to her.
In the chorus, the singer compares his love for this woman to a ball game. He asks to throw the ball to the stick, but then he misses and catches strike two. This metaphor represents the emotional journey the singer has with his love interest. The game doesn't end with strike two, and the singer is still "howlin'" for her.
Overall, the song is a rock driven, bluesy love song that uses interesting metaphors to convey a man's almost obsessive love for a woman. The singer seems to be consumed by his love, and he can't help but keep "howlin' for her."
Line by Line Meaning
Alright
Let's get started
Yeah
Agreement
Well, now
Emphasis on what's to come
I must admit, I can't explain
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to articulate
Any of these thoughts racin' through my brain
Mind is racing and chaotic
It's true
A statement of fact
But, baby, I'm howlin' for you
Despite confusion, there's a strong desire for the person being addressed
There's something wrong with this plot
Detecting a problem with the current situation
The actors here have not got
Those involved are not equipped to handle the situation
A clue
There's a lack of understanding
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Despite the issues, there's a strong desire for the person being addressed
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Mockingbird, can't you see?
Talking to someone or something that sees things clearly
Little girl's got a hold on me
Feeling trapped or influenced by someone, likely a younger woman
Like glue
Indicates a strong attachment or influence
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Despite feeling trapped, there's still a strong desire for the person being addressed
Throw the ball to the stick
Reference to the game of baseball
Swing and miss and a catcher's mitt
A failed attempt
Strike two
Second failed attempt
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Despite failure, there's still a strong desire for the person being addressed
Yeah
Agreement
Yeah
Agreement
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Da-da, da-da, da
Instrumental break
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Quine Auerbach, Patrick James Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeanjeanjeanjeansalve
I must admit, I can't explain
Any of these thoughts racin' through my brain
It's true
But, baby, I'm howlin' for you
Alright
There's something wrong with this plot
The actors here have not got
A clue
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Mockingbird, can't you see?
Little girl's got a hold on me
Like glue
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Yeah
Throw the ball to the stick
Swing and miss and a catcher's mitt
Strike two
Baby, I'm howlin' for you
Yeah
Yeah
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
Da-da, da-da, da
@JonnyTheRWBYDude2004
Cheers to those who FINALLY found this
@that_flnger
I was searching for this for a long long time
@Joanofthearc3
Yessss!!! Thanks Black keys for making it free I can’t find my 30 pin iPod nano shuffle charger….
@justingreen2432
This song makes me want to assemble a team.....
@theozkavosh
You mean, you want to assemble the A-TEAM?
@theozkavosh
Them references....
@barrycorrin8086
Yeah baby!!! Assemble it!!
@connorrandall716
Me 5
@jamiefelix4921
Same lol
@scythex11
My older brother showed me this band. I'm eternally grateful, and i'm dead serious.