7 Greatest Black Crowes Songs

If you love the sounds of the 70s, you’re probably familiar with songs by The Black Crowes, even if your musical experience didn’t start until the 80s or later. Their bluesy rock hit the radio waves in the 90s and blew away the hair bands and rock ballads of the time.

Although listening to their music today may take you back in time, the songs are still relevant and provoke strong emotions. 

Keep reading to find out more about the band and what we think are their great hits.

Let’s jump in!

About The Black Crowes

In 1984, the Robinson brothers, Chris and Rich, formed The Black Crowes in Marietta, Georgia. They released their first album, Shake Your Money Maker, in 1990 and sold eight million copies. 

Since that time, the band has released eight studio albums and four live albums. The Black Crowes have sold more than 30 million albums and been listed on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. 

Although the band started in the 80s, the Robinson brothers are the only two constant members. Over the last 37 years, the band has also gone on hiatus and split multiple times. The first time was in 2002, regrouping in 2005. 

Later, the band took a year off from 2011 to 2012, then reunited for three years. In 2019 they got back together and started their worldwide tour in 2020 to support the 30th anniversary of the Shake Your Money Maker album. 

#7 Lickin’

About the Song: Lickin’ was the second track from the Lions album. It features gritty vocals and lyrics. 

The song reached #9 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks even though critics thought it was “too 70s.” The Black Crowes said the album was influenced by playing Led Zeppelin songs with Jimmy Page. So, maybe the song was a bit 70s, but fans loved it. 

The band rarely plays the song live, playing it less than 100 times since they first performed it in 2001. 

Best Lyric:

You can have all of me, all of me
Your teeth they taste just like razorblades
Yeah you got my tongue ready

First Appearance: The Black Crowes released “Lickin” in May 2001 as a single from the Lions album.

#6 Thorn in My Pride

About the Song: It’s considered one of the tamer songs on The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion album. The song is soulful and bluesy with emotional lyrics. 

Since its release in the 90s, The Black Crowes have sung Thorn in my Pride around 1,000 times. The song charted on the Hot 100 in 1992 and topped Billboard Album Rock Tracks. 

Best Lyric:

Let your love light shine, let it shine
Lover, cover me with a good dream
Oh, let your love light
Oh, let your love light shine

First Appearance: Thorn in My Pride is the third track on The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion 1992 album. 

#5 Remedy

About the Song: Remedy was a big hit for The Black Crowes. The song was #1 for 11 weeks. The single charted to #48 on the Hot 100 in 1992.

Remedy was their highest-charting single on the UK Singles Charts, reaching #24. The song also reached the Top 10 charts in New Zealand and Norway. 

Best Lyric: 

Baby, baby why did you dye your hair?
Why you always keeping with your mother's dare?
Baby why's who's who, who know you too?
Did the other children scold on you?

First Appearance: Remedy was the first single and second track from The Southern Harmony and Musical Compilation album. They released the song in April of 1992.

#4 Jealous Again

About the Song: Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson wrote this catchy, blues-based rock and roll song. In 1990, Jealous Again reached #75 on Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. 

The song appears on their Shake Your Money Maker and Great Hits 1990-1999: A Tribute to a Work in Progress albums. The band also released an acoustic version in 2010 and included it on their Croweology album. 

Best Lyric:

Always drunk on Sunday
Tryin' to feel like I'm at home
Smell the gasoline burning
Boys out feeling nervous and cold

First Appearance: The song Jealous Again was the band’s first single ever back in 1990. It’s the second track on the Shake Your Money Maker album. 

#3 She Talks to Angels

About the Song: Rich Robinson wrote the music for this song when he was only 15 years old. She Talks to Angels is almost 5.5 minutes long and about a woman battling addiction. The acoustic ballad has become an anthem for those affected by addiction.

In 1991 the song became The Black Crowes’ second Top 40 hit. It reached #30 on the US Hot 100 and #1 on the US Album Rock Tracks chart. 

Best Lyric:

She don't know no lover
None that I ever seen
Yeah, to her that ain't nothing
But to me it means, means everything

First Appearance: She Talks to Angels is the eighth track on their 1990 Shake Your Money Maker album and the fourth single they released. 

#2 Twice As Hard

About the Song: It was released as a single and made it to #11. It, however, never made it to the Top 10. The song appears on the Shake Your Money Maker and Greatest Hits 1990-1999: A Tribute to a Work in Progress albums. Twice As Hard is also on two soundtracks: Mad Dog and Glory and Ladder 49. 

Best Lyric:

Oh, yeah
Clean as a whistle
Smellin' like a rose
She got her dirty little finger
Bloodshot eyes are gone
You wanna tell me that I'm wrong

First Appearance: Twice As Hard initially appeared as the first track on the 1990 Shake Your Money Maker album.

#1 Hard to Handle

About the Song: Hard to Handle is a blues-rock cover of the Otis Redding version of the song. It’s not the only cover of the song, but it’s the most notable one.

The song was a hit single for The Black Crowes and is the sixth track on their Shake Your Money Maker album. The band recorded two versions of the song. 

Best Lyric:

Got you another man, I can love you better than him
Man, don't be afraid, prove every word I say
Advertising love for free, place your ad with me

First Appearance: Hard to Handle first appeared on the scene in 1968 as a single by Otis Redding. 

Which Black Crowes Song is Your Favorite?

With 16 albums and 26 singles, The Black Crowes have a lot of amazing songs to choose from. Maybe it’s one from our greatest seven above, or maybe some of the deep cuts from other albums. 

If you aren’t sure, take some time and sit back and listen to their music. You’ll be sure to find some that really resonate. 

What are your top Black Crowes picks?