"Black" is the debut single by Sevendust and lead single from their self-titled debut album. "Black" is one of Sevendust's most successful songs and was included on their Best Of (Chapter One 1997–2004). Live, acoustic versions were also included on the Seasons limited edition DVD and the band's first live album, Southside Double-Wide: Acoustic Live, in 2004. "Black" is on the Swimfan soundtrack and video game Test Drive Off-Road 2. It was the opening song for almost every Sevendust concert until 2004. "Black" is ranked No. 47 in Hit Parader's 100 heavy metal top songs all-time.
| "Black" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Sevendust | ||||
| from the album Sevendust | ||||
| Released | April 25, 1997 | |||
| Recorded | July–August 1996 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:08 | |||
| Label | TVT | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Sevendust singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Recording
editSevendust tried to pull "Black" off of the band's self-titled debut album before recording the song. Sevendust guitarist John Connolly said
It was one of the first songs that we had done together as a band. By the time we got a record deal, we had probably played it 500-600 times and we were just kinda tired of it. It was the last song we played for our label and the producers and they all just laughed and [said], "You guys are funny, man. That's the best song of the bunch." And we were like, "No, it's not." And they're like, "Yes, it is – watch! This song will stick around for a long time." And you know what? They were right! (laughs)[2]
Meaning
editSevendust's drummer Morgan Rose said that "Black" is "one of those things where it's not strictly about racism, but it takes a little tap on it". Rose continued, saying:
[Lajon] states it pretty clearly: if people would mind their own business, the world would be a better place. Everyone's trying to stick their nose in everybody's business, instead of worrying about themselves.[3]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Black" (radio version) | 4:10 |
Chart performance
edit| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard) | 30 |
Release history
edit| Year | Album | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Got TVT | TVT Records | [4] |
| 1997 | Sevendust | TVT Records | [4] |
| 1997 | Sevendust (China) | Import | [4] |
| 1999 | Home (Japan) | Import | [4] |
| 1999 | Live and Loud | TVT Records | [4] |
| 1999 | The Hard + the Heavy, Vol. 1 | Rhino | [4] |
| 2001 | Animosity (clean, bonus track) | Universal Distribution | [4] |
| 2002 | Swimf@n | TVT Records | [4] |
| 2004 | Southside Double-Wide: Acoustic Live | TVT Records | [4] |
| 2005 | Best Of (Chapter One 1997–2004) | TVT Records | [4] |
| 2005 | Best Of (Chapter One 1997–2004) (clean) | TVT Records | [4] |
Covers
edit- Disturbed covered this song live before releasing their debut album The Sickness.[5]
Acoustic version
edit| "Black (acoustic)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Sevendust | ||||
| from the album Time Travelers & Bonfires | ||||
| Released | March 25, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | January 2014 | |||
| Studio | Architekt Music in Butler, New Jersey | |||
| Genre | Acoustic rock | |||
| Length | 4:32 | |||
| Label | 7Bros. Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Sevendust singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The acoustic version of "Black" was recorded by Sevendust and was released to rock radio stations on March 25, 2014.[6] The song was included on Sevendust's first official acoustic album, Time Travelers & Bonfires, which was released by the band's 7Bros. Records label in conjunction with ADA Label Services on April 15, 2014. It was ultimately the only single released for Time Travelers & Bonfires.[7][8]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Black" (acoustic version) | 4:32 |
Charts
edit| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard) | 23 |
References
edit- ^ a b "30 Best Nu Metal Songs, Ranked". Spin Magazine.
- ^ Pittman, Sarah Marie (April 17, 2014). "The Softer Side of Sevendust". Pollstar.
- ^ Rivers, Cindy (July 9, 1998). "Sevendust". Ink 19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Black Sevendust". Allmusic. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ^ Dejin1 (6 November 2007). "Disturbed - Black (Sevendust cover) live part 13". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Sevendust, 'Black' (Acoustic) - Exclusive Song Premiere". Loudwire.com. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Sevendust Post New Song, 'The Wait,' off Upcoming 'Time Travelers & Bonfires' - Audio Ink Radio". Audioinkradio.com. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "SEVENDUST To Release 'Time Travelers & Bonfires' Acoustic Album In April". Blabbermouth.net. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.