Founded by multi instrumentalist and vocalist Cruz Contreras, co-founder of Robinella & the CC String Band, and singer-guitarist Leah Gardner (Maid Rite String Band), The Black Lillies have created their own unique brand of country, roots, rock and blues via Appalachia. The group, formed in early 2009, also includes bassist Taylor Coker (Robinella & the CCstringband), electric guitar and pedal steel whiz Tom Pryor (the everybodyfields, Sam Quinn and the Japan Ten), drummer Jamie Cook (the everybodyfields), and vocalist Trisha Gene Brady.
The Black Lillies released Whiskey Angel, their debut recording. The album was recorded live in Cruz’s living room by Sparklehorse drummer Scott Minor, and features Billy Contreras on fiddle. The Black Lillies received critical acclaim for their performances at the Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival and on the live radio broadcast of Tennessee Shines. The host of Tennessee Shines, legendary songwriter and musician Jim Lauderdale, called The Black Lillies “a true Americana supergroup.”
The Black Lillies have developed their own style of Americana music in true East Tennessee fashion.
Earthquake
The Black Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rollin' like the thunder, crashing like the sea
Like a lonesome whistle blowing, dancing in a dream
The sound of your heart calling, my favorite melody
You're my earthquake, the sweetest heartache
You're the rock in my roll, you shake me down to my soul
You take my breath away, you know just what to say
I've seen the highest of the highs and lowest of lows
Stood up on the mountain, traveled down a broken road
Like a wild wind a-howling, you shook me to the ground
Tearing down the shadows, shining through the clouds
You're my earthquake, the sweetest heartache
You're the rock in my roll, you shake me down to my soul
You take my breath away, you know just what to say
You shake me down to my soul, you're my earthquake
There's a beauty in this world, it can break your heart in two
But there's no other way to say, you know just what to do
You're my earthquake, the sweetest heartache
You're the rock in my roll, you shake me down to my soul
You take my breath away, you know just what to say
You shake me down to my soul, you're my earthquake
You shake me down to my soul, you're my earthquake
You shake me down to my soul, you're my earthquake
The Black Lillies' song "Earthquake" is an ode to the power and impact of love. The lyrics use the metaphor of an earthquake to describe how love can shake someone to their core and leave them forever changed. The opening lines describe the unexpected nature of love, with the singer admitting that they never saw it coming. The metaphor of thunder and the crashing sea is used to describe the intensity of the love that has taken over their life.
The chorus of the song reveals the depth of the singer’s emotions, with the repeated line "you're my earthquake" expressing their feelings of being rocked to their core by this love. The lyrics go on to describe the highs and lows of relationships, with the singer describing having experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Through it all, they find that their love remains. The final lines of the song acknowledge the pain that can come with love, but ultimately leave the listener with the sense that the power of love is worth it.
Overall, "Earthquake" is a poignant and beautifully written song about the transformative power of love. The use of the earthquake metaphor is particularly effective, as it captures both the destructive and transformative nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I never saw it coming, plain as could be
You came into my life unexpectedly and clear as day.
Rollin' like the thunder, crashing like the sea
Your impact on me is powerful and intense.
Like a lonesome whistle blowing, dancing in a dream
Your presence is haunting and dreamlike, but beautiful.
The sound of your heart calling, my favorite melody
The feeling of being with you is my favorite song.
You're my earthquake, the sweetest heartache
You are simultaneously my source of joy and my pain.
You're the rock in my roll, you shake me down to my soul
You are the foundation of my being, and you move me deeply.
You take my breath away, you know just what to say
You leave me speechless, and you always know the right thing to say.
You shake me down to my soul, you're my earthquake
You profoundly affect me to my very core.
I've seen the highest of the highs and lowest of lows
I have experienced the extremes of life.
Stood up on the mountain, traveled down a broken road
I have been on top of the world and traveled through difficult times.
Like a wild wind a-howling, you shook me to the ground
You knocked me off my feet with your passion and intensity.
Tearing down the shadows, shining through the clouds
You bring light to my life and chase away the darkness.
There's a beauty in this world, it can break your heart in two
The world can be both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.
But there's no other way to say, you know just what to do
Despite the complexities of life, you always know how to handle any situation.
You shake me down to my soul, you're my earthquake
You profoundly affect me to my very core.
You shake me down to my soul, you're my earthquake
You profoundly affect me to my very core.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cruz Contreras
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@courtneydeskins3872
Me and the love of my life for engaged at our first black lillies concert ON STAGE as they placed "mercy" back in 2014. No song could compare to that one for us... Until now. Earthquake. Omg... We want them to play at our wedding. Love them and all their songs whole heartedly
@aliyamoon80
This is so lovely. The NPR interview brought me here. I'll be sharing this on social media as soon as my latest ban lifts.
@edoge4026
I'm singing this for my mom on her birthday
@law13ie29
The best single yet from this new album, seen The Black Lilies @ the Grand Ole' Opry 5 years back, they played The Fall & Smokestack Lady !!
Best band I seen in Nashville, followed them ever since and each album out does the last !
Fan from Scotland (of all places haha)
@bryanjohnson3101
They are the best "Americana " sound ever!
@megrichardson7819
We saw these humans in Eddies Attic last month. Simply amazing.
@JamieSlateMusic
awesome harmonies!
@gigilove2324
So sweet!