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Black (Sevendust song)

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"Black"
Single by Sevendust
from the album Sevendust
ReleasedApril 25, 1997
RecordedJuly–August 1996
Genre
Length4:08
LabelTVT
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Sevendust singles chronology
"Black"
(1997)
"Bitch"
(1998)

"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.

Recording

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Sevendust 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

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Sevendust'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.TitleLength
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

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Acoustic version

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"Black (acoustic)"
Single by Sevendust
from the album Time Travelers & Bonfires
ReleasedMarch 25, 2014
RecordedJanuary 2014
StudioArchitekt Music in Butler, New Jersey
GenreAcoustic rock
Length4:32
Label7Bros. Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Sevendust singles chronology
"Picture Perfect"
(2013)
"Black (acoustic)"
(2014)
"Thank You"
(2015)

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.TitleLength
1."Black" (acoustic version)4:32

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard) 23

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "30 Best Nu Metal Songs, Ranked". Spin Magazine.
  2. ^ Pittman, Sarah Marie (April 17, 2014). "The Softer Side of Sevendust". Pollstar.
  3. ^ Rivers, Cindy (July 9, 1998). "Sevendust". Ink 19.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Black Sevendust". Allmusic. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  5. ^ 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)
  6. ^ "Sevendust, 'Black' (Acoustic) - Exclusive Song Premiere". Loudwire.com. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Sevendust Post New Song, 'The Wait,' off Upcoming 'Time Travelers & Bonfires' - Audio Ink Radio". Audioinkradio.com. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  8. ^ "SEVENDUST To Release 'Time Travelers & Bonfires' Acoustic Album In April". Blabbermouth.net. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.