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.
The Go Getter
The Black Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be the go-getter
Yes I am, I'll be the go-getter
That's my plan, the go-getter
Hi-fi boom box
Pretty girl in bobby socks
After party in a hotel room
Stumble home in the pourin' rain
Let the water ease my worried brain
Some days I just can't get along
I need a head to lean my shoulders on
Palm trees, the flat broke disease
And L.A. has got me on my knees
I am the bluest of blues
Every day, a different, different way to lose
The go-getter
The go-getter
The go-getter
I got a table at the Rainbow Room
I told my wife I'd be home soon
Big ships are approaching the docks
I got my hi-fi boom box
Mashed potatoes in cellophane
I see my life goin' down the drain
Hold me baby and don't let go
Pretty girls help to soften the blow, yeah
Palm trees, the flat broke disease
And L.A. has got me on my knees
I am the bluest of blues
Every day, a different way to lose
The go-getter, the go-getter
The go-getter, I'll be the go-getter
That's my plan, that's who I am
The go-getter, the go-getter
The Black Keys' "The Go Getter" is a blues rock song that tells the story of a man who is struggling to find success in Los Angeles despite his best efforts. The lyrics are vivid and poetic, painting a picture of a city that is both alluring and overwhelming.
The song begins with the singer proclaiming that he will be the go-getter, the one who goes after what he wants and does not give up. He then describes a scene of a party in a hotel room, with a pretty girl in bobby socks, and a hi-fi boom box. The party is wild, and soon there will be no moon, implying that it's very late at night.
The singer then talks about stumbling home in the pouring rain and needing someone to lean on. He describes the flat broke disease that seems to plague everyone in L.A. and how he feels like the bluest of blues. He then talks about going to the Rainbow Room but telling his wife he'll be home soon, and how he has his hi-fi boom box with him. He ends the song with the refrain that he is the go-getter, and that's who he is.
Overall, "The Go Getter" is a song about the struggle to make it in L.A. and the relentless optimism and determination it takes to keep going. It's a powerful, bluesy anthem that showcases The Black Keys' talent for crafting biting, emotional songs that speak to the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
The go-getter
The singer is determined to be a go-getter, someone who takes proactive action to achieve their goals
I'll be the go-getter
The singer promises to be someone who takes initiative and is proactive in achieving their goals
Yes I am, I'll be the go-getter
The singer reaffirms their determination to be a proactive, goal-oriented person
That's my plan, the go-getter
The artist's plan is to be a proactive, goal-oriented person
Hi-fi boom box
A high-quality portable stereo system
Pretty girl in bobby socks
A physically attractive girl wearing bobby socks (a style of socks that reach just below the knee)
After party in a hotel room
A party that takes place in a hotel room after another event or gathering
Pretty soon there will be no moon
The party or event will last until the early morning hours when the moon is no longer visible in the sky
Stumble home in the pourin' rain
The artist is walking home unsteadily (possibly due to intoxication) in heavy rain
Let the water ease my worried brain
The sound of the rain is comforting and has a calming effect on the artist's anxious thoughts
Some days I just can't get along
The singer has difficult days where they struggle to cope with their circumstances
I need a head to lean my shoulders on
The artist needs emotional support from someone they can rely on
Palm trees, the flat broke disease
The singer views palm trees as a symbol of poverty or financial hardship
And L.A. has got me on my knees
The city of Los Angeles has brought the singer to their lowest point
I am the bluest of blues
The singer is deeply sad and depressed
Every day, a different, different way to lose
The artist faces new and varied challenges every day that make them feel like they're losing
I got a table at the Rainbow Room
The artist has secured a reservation at a popular club, restaurant, or bar called the Rainbow Room
I told my wife I'd be home soon
The singer promised their spouse they would return home shortly
Big ships are approaching the docks
Large ships are arriving at the harbor
Mashed potatoes in cellophane
A strange or unpleasant meal composition (possibly referring to instant mashed potatoes packaged in plastic)
I see my life goin' down the drain
The artist feels like their life is falling apart
Hold me baby and don't let go
The artist seeks comfort and support from their partner
Pretty girls help to soften the blow, yeah
Attractive women can make a difficult situation feel more bearable or enjoyable
The go-getter, the go-getter
Reiteration of the artist's determination to be a go-getter
That's my plan, that's who I am
The singer's identity is tied to their proactive, goal-oriented nature
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Auerbach, Patrick Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rdm8103
The Go Getter
/
Lyrics
The go-getter
I'll be the go-getter
Yes I am, I'll be the go-getter
That's my plan, the go-getter
Hi-fi boom box
Pretty girl in bobby socks
After party in a hotel room
Pretty soon there will be no moon
Stumble home in the pourin' rain
Let the water ease my worried brain
Some days I just can't get along
I need a head to lean my shoulders on
Palm trees, the flat broke disease
And L.A. has got me on my knees
I am the bluest of blues
Every day, a different, different way to lose
The go-getter
The go-getter
The go-getter
I got a table at the Rainbow Room
I told my wife I'd be home soon
Big ships are approaching the docks
I got my hi-fi boom box
Mashed potatoes in cellophane
I see my life goin' down the drain
Hold me baby and don't let go
Pretty girls help to soften the blow, yeah
Palm trees, the flat broke disease
And L.A. has got me on my knees
I am the bluest of blues
Every day, a different way to lose
The go-getter, the go-getter
The go-getter, I'll be the go-getter
That's my plan, that's who I am
The go-getter, the go-getter
@milesmack2798
I remember when I first heard this song and the drumming completely blew my mind. Still does to this day.
@lanceanthony198
One of the best albums. Ever
@HeisenbergRIP
I love this song
@rdm8103
The Go Getter
/
Lyrics
The go-getter
I'll be the go-getter
Yes I am, I'll be the go-getter
That's my plan, the go-getter
Hi-fi boom box
Pretty girl in bobby socks
After party in a hotel room
Pretty soon there will be no moon
Stumble home in the pourin' rain
Let the water ease my worried brain
Some days I just can't get along
I need a head to lean my shoulders on
Palm trees, the flat broke disease
And L.A. has got me on my knees
I am the bluest of blues
Every day, a different, different way to lose
The go-getter
The go-getter
The go-getter
I got a table at the Rainbow Room
I told my wife I'd be home soon
Big ships are approaching the docks
I got my hi-fi boom box
Mashed potatoes in cellophane
I see my life goin' down the drain
Hold me baby and don't let go
Pretty girls help to soften the blow, yeah
Palm trees, the flat broke disease
And L.A. has got me on my knees
I am the bluest of blues
Every day, a different way to lose
The go-getter, the go-getter
The go-getter, I'll be the go-getter
That's my plan, that's who I am
The go-getter, the go-getter
@Publius7619
Gotta love Brothers.
@luqmanHG
great song !
@rubenrivas8657
i still have the original cd man one of my favorites
@rhyswilliams5921
I've probably listed to this album more times than any other except for the Zeppelin albums.
@Franyo22
Love you man
@bassthefish8606
One of favorites