The Black Keys, to me, are like tea to an old lady- one serve a day is never enough.
The duo have been around for over a decade, producing insanely catchy songs like “Lonely Boy” and most recently “Fever”.
Last year, just after the announcement of the BluesFest lineup, I secured front row seats to see them live at Margaret Court Arena in April. But on Monday, I was distraught to discover that they needed to cancel their Australian tour due to injury.
Man I was NOT a happy girl, but despite the cancellation, my love for The Black Keys will continue to grow and grow and grow and grow. Their music, a combination of soul, blues and alternative rock is sure to satisfy you this saturday, and every other day of the week, month, year, decade, century and beyond.
Here are 5 songs that I absolutely adore and recommend you downloading as soon as you possibly can- but lets be honest you will just end up buying all their albums anyways…
1. Too Afraid to Love You– Brothers (2010)
This song is so so beautiful. The subtle howl of the wind in conjunction with the harpsichord creates haunting undertones, emphasising the emotions communicated through the lyrics. I love this song, it has so much depth and the mood is perfect for those grey-skied days.
Skip forward to 1:00 on video for the beginning of the song
2. Little Black Submarines– El Camino (2011)
This song is one of my favourite songs of all time. It starts off as this beautiful guitar/vocal number and builds up to a killer ending.
I can’t even put into words how much I love this song, you sing along and delve deep into the lyrics and then to an amazing drum solo- all in 4 minutes and 11 seconds- brilliant
3. Fever– Turn Blue (2013)
LOVE LOVE LOVE- this song is just ahhh. Dan’s voice is my weakness, and this song makes me so weak I have to wait a few minutes to regain control over my body. The song starts to get really incredible in the last minute and a half, when the emotions of the song really start to seep through- the smooth vocals, killer drum/guitar instrumental break and then ending the song with a wallowing bass line that somehow always gives me goosebumps.
It is also one of my favourite music videos- clever, entertaining and uncomfortable all in one!
4. Weight of Love– Turn Blue (2013)
I have a newfound love for listening to records in their chronological song order- start to finish, over and over again. ‘Weight of Love’ is the first track on the album, Turn Blue, and it is one of my favourite album-opening songs. It starts as an instrumental piece and morphs into a classic-Black Keys drum-guitar-killer vocals spectacular. Oh and there is an awesome guitar solo and little bass bits in addition to the already smooth bass line This song is sure to get you feeling feels.
AND it goes for 6.50- have I lured you in yet?
ALSO music video link from one hit song to the next- yesssss
5. Lonely Boy– El Camino (2011)
A song that is known to all- and has even been performed on the spoons by a lovely country lady
Its an all time fave and deserves to be linked to you 🙂
ALL TIME FAVOURITE
I remember listening to The Black Keys for the first time, falling fast in love with the knee-weakening voice of Dan Auerbach. Tighten Up was the first track to make its way onto my iPod and the play-count grew quickly. The music video is adorable, the track is spectacular and it will forever be one of my all-time favourite songs.
The Black Keys may have broken my heart with the cancellation of their show, but all it took was the opening note of one of their songs and I instantly forgave them.
Hopefully they reschedule their shows, but in the meantime, I’ll continue to watch their live performances and sing my heart out to Lonely Boy in the shower.
