Blue on Black

{{Short description|1998 single by Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band}} {{Infobox song | name = Blue on Black | cover = KWSBlueonBlack.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band | album = Trouble Is... | B-side = * "Blue on Black" (The Road Mix) * "Voodoo Child" | released = {{Start date|1998|04|07}} | recorded = | studio = | genre = *Southern rock<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kenny-wayne-shepherd-blue-on-black-history-cover-hot-100-8509575/| last = Olivier| first = Bobby| date = May 1, 2019| title = Kenny Wayne Shepherd's 'Blue On Black': How It Went from '90s Crossover Hit to 2019 Superteam Smash| website = Billboard.com| access-date = February 13, 2024| quote = Shepherd’s 'Blue on Black,' and its widely appealing meld of brooding southern rock, searing blues guitar and alt-country touches exploded on rock radio.}}</ref> *blues<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kenny-wayne-shepherd-blue-on-black-history-cover-hot-100-8509575/| last = Olivier| first = Bobby| date = May 1, 2019| title = Kenny Wayne Shepherd's 'Blue On Black': How It Went from '90s Crossover Hit to 2019 Superteam Smash| website = Billboard.com| access-date = February 13, 2024| quote = Shepherd’s 'Blue on Black,' and its widely appealing meld of brooding southern rock, searing blues guitar and alt-country touches exploded on rock radio.}}</ref> *alternative country<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kenny-wayne-shepherd-blue-on-black-history-cover-hot-100-8509575/| last = Olivier| first = Bobby| date = May 1, 2019| title = Kenny Wayne Shepherd's 'Blue On Black': How It Went from '90s Crossover Hit to 2019 Superteam Smash| website = Billboard.com| access-date = February 13, 2024| quote = Shepherd’s 'Blue on Black,' and its widely appealing meld of brooding southern rock, searing blues guitar and alt-country touches exploded on rock radio.}}</ref> | length = 5:30 | label = * Revolution * Giant * Warner Bros. | writer = * Kenny Wayne Shepherd * Mark Selby * Tia Sillers | producer = Jerry Harrison | prev_title = Somehow, Somewhere, Someway | prev_year = 1998 | next_title = Everything Is Broken | next_year = 1998 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|TEqX5CWh7tY|"Blue on Black"}}}} }}

"'''Blue on Black'''" is a song by American blues rock group Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. Written by Shepherd with Mark Selby and Tia Sillers, it was originally released on their second studio album, ''Trouble Is...'' (1997). In 1998, the song was released as a single and reached the top position on the US ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, becoming that chart's most successful song of 1998.

"Blue on Black" was regarded as the best rock song of 1998 by various media. It won the Billboard Music Award for "Rock Track of the Year" and the song's popularity helped make ''Trouble Is...'' the 1999 "Blues Album of the Year" in ''Billboard''. The song continues to be a top download of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd catalog, ranking at number one on Rhapsody. It is also his most-listened to song on Spotify with over 60 million streams.

In 2019, Shepherd teamed up with American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch, along with country singer Brantley Gilbert and Queen guitarist Brian May for a reworked version of "Blue on Black". It also performed well on the record charts and proceeds were donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation to benefit first responders.

== Composition == In an August 2017 interview, Shepherd discussed the song's origins: {{quote|We wrote that when we were down in New Orleans{{snd}}me, Mark and Tia. I had the music, and Mark and I were just rolling with the music and tried to develop things up. Tia came up with this idea based on a shirt that I was wearing that was blue and black. She noticed the two colors that were dominant on my shirt, and if you mix those two colors together, black consumes the blue. It doesn't amount to anything if you put the two together: You still have one color, instead of creating a new color.

So she built on that idea, and it became this really deep song. It's really up to the listener to determine how they apply it. So many people have applied it to a death in the family, an abusive relationship, a broken relationship, or whatever. There are so many different ways. That's what's beautiful about music and lyrics is trying to write a song that the listener can apply to their own experience in whatever way seems fit. And that's one of those songs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/kenny_wayne_shepherd/|title=Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Songwriter Interviews |website=Songfacts.com|access-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>}}

== Performance and personnel == As Shepherd's signature song, he often closes his concert performances with "Blue on Black", just prior to "Voodoo Child".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Landers|first=Rick|url=http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004053.html|title=Kenny Wayne Shepherd Interview|via=|website=ModernGuitars.com|date=December 7, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2009|archive-date=October 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016001058/http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004053.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Jimi Hendrix cover was also included on the CD single with an alternate mix of "Blue on Black".

* Kenny Wayne Shepherd – lead guitar * Noah Hunt – lead vocals<ref>{{cite news |last=Olivier |first=Bobby |title=The Story of Kenny Wayne Shepherd's 'Blue on Black': From '90s Crossover Hit to 2019 Superteam Smash |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kenny-wayne-shepherd-blue-on-black-history-cover-hot-100-8509575/|date=May 1, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2019 |website=Billboard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Huey |first1=Steve |title=Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kenny-wayne-shepherd-mn0000812388/biography |website=AllMusic|access-date=December 13, 2019}}</ref> * Joe Nadaeu – rhythm guitar * Jimmy Wallace – keyboards * Robby Emerson – bass guitar * Sam Bryant – drums, percussion

== Charts and recognition == Shepherd discussed the song's commercial significance in an interview: {{quote|The success at rock radio that we had early in my career, with 'Blue on Black,' I think we set a record. When that song was out, it definitely helped expose my music to a wider audience, and also, by gaining that exposure, then I get to turn a lot of those people on to the blues who may not have listened to the blues otherwise.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.montereyherald.com/entertainment/ci_12418546| title = B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Leon Russell Top Exemplary Santa Cruz Blues Festival Lineup| last = Peerless| first = Beth| date = May 21, 2009| website = Monterey Herald.com| access-date = May 30, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120224011855/http://www.montereyherald.com/entertainment/ci_12418546| archive-date = February 24, 2012| url-status = dead}}</ref>}}

"Blue on Black" reached number 78 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and peaked atop the magazine's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for six weeks, ending 1998 as the most successful mainstream rock song.<ref name="hot100"/><ref name="usmr"/><ref name="usmrye"/> The song also charted in Canada, where it peaked at number 47 on the ''RPM'' 100 Hit Tracks chart and number two on the ''RPM'' Alternative 30.<ref name="can"/><ref name="canrock"/> A review in ''Billboard'' described the song as a "widely appealing meld of brooding southern rock, searing blues guitar and alt-country touches".<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kenny-wayne-shepherd-blue-on-black-history-cover-hot-100-8509575/| last = Olivier| first = Bobby| date = May 1, 2019| title = Kenny Wayne Shepherd's 'Blue On Black': How It Went from '90s Crossover Hit to 2019 Superteam Smash| website = Billboard.com| access-date = April 21, 2021| quote = Shepherd’s 'Blue on Black,' and its widely appealing meld of brooding southern rock, searing blues guitar and alt-country touches exploded on rock radio.}}</ref>

In honor of the hit single, the Martin Guitar Company issued its Kenny Wayne Shepherd Limited Edition Signature model JC-16KWS, a distinct jumbo model in dark blue, in January 2001. The guitar design was inspired by the imagery evoked in the song's lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM01/article/Martin/JC-16KWS.html |title=Martin Introduces Kenny Wayne Shepherd Jumbo|website=HarmonyCentral.com|date=January 18, 2001|access-date=May 30, 2019}}</ref> Proceeds from the model were to be donated to Providence House, a Shreveport, Louisiana shelter and development program for homeless families with children.

== Charts == {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

=== Weekly charts === {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1998) !Peak<br/>position |- {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|47|chartid=3485|rowheader=true|access-date=March 10, 2025|refname="can"}} |- {{single chart|Canadarock|2|chartid=3494|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2025|refname="canrock"}} |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|78|artist=Kenny Wayne Shepherd|rowheader=true|access-date=March 10, 2025|refname="hot100"}} |- {{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|8|artist=Kenny Wayne Shepherd|rowheader=true|access-date=March 10, 2025}} |- {{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|1|artist=Kenny Wayne Shepherd|rowheader=true|access-date=March 10, 2025|refname="usmr"}} |} {{col-2}}

=== Year-end charts === {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1998) !Position |- !scope="row"|US Mainstream Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref name="usmrye">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mw0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA32|title=The Year in Music 1998: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|number=52|page=YE-84|date=December 26, 1998|access-date=March 10, 2025}} </ref> |1 |- !scope="row"|US Triple-A (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best of '98: Most Played Triple-A Songs|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=6|issue=52|page=35|date=December 25, 1998}}</ref> |23 |} {{col-end}}

== Certifications == {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Blue on Black|artist=Kenny Wayne Shepherd|type=single|award=Platinum|accessdate=November 26, 2024|relyear=1998|certyear=2024}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

== Five Finger Death Punch version == {{Infobox song | name = Blue on Black | cover = FFDPBlueOnBlack.jpg | caption = Cover art for the collaboration version. | type = single | album = And Justice for None | artist = Five Finger Death Punch featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert, and Brian May | released = {{Start date|2019|04|12}} | length = {{duration|4:34}} | label = Prospect Park | writer = * Kenny Wayne Shepherd * Mark Selby * Tia Sillers | genre = * Hard rock<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH: And Justice For None (HEAVY METAL): review |url=https://www.musicwaves.org/frmReview.aspx?ID=16891 |access-date=August 4, 2025 |website=Music Waves |language=en}}</ref> * blues rock<ref name=":0" /> | prev_title = When the Seasons Change | prev_year = 2018 | next_title = Inside Out | next_year = 2019 | chronology = Five Finger Death Punch | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = Kenny Wayne Shepherd | type = single | prev_title = You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover | prev_year = 2014 | year = 2019 | title = Blue on Black | next_title = Christmas Must Be Tonight | next_year = 2020 }} {{Extra chronology | artist = Brantley Gilbert | type = single | prev_title = What Happens in a Small Town | prev_year = 2019 | year = 2019 | title = Blue on Black | next_title = Fire't Up | next_year = 2019 }} {{Extra chronology | artist = Brian May | type = single | prev_title = One Voice | prev_year = 2016 | year = 2019 | title = Blue on Black | next_title = One Beautiful Christmas Day | next_year = 2020 }} {{External music video|{{YouTube|p8NQUbLQGio|Blue on Black}}}} }}

American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch recorded "Blue on Black" for their 2018 album ''And Justice for None''. However, on April 12, 2019, a version different to the one on that album, was released as a single, together with Kenny Shepherd, country musician Brantley Gilbert and Queen guitarist Brian May. It merged Sheperd's blues rock, Gilbert's country, May's classic rock and Five Finger Death Punch's mainstream rock styles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rawmusictv.com/article/amp/2019/Brian-May-Queen-just-released-a-new-song-with-metal-band-Five-Finger-Death-Punch|title=Brian May (Queen) just released a new song with metal band Five Finger Death Punch|website=RawMusicTV|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>

An official music video was released on April 11, 2019. Proceeds from the song were donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation to benefit first responders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/listen-to-brian-may-and-kenny-wayne-shepherd-guest-on-five-finger-death-punchs-blue-on-black|title=Listen to Brian May and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Guest on Five Finger Death Punch's "Blue on Black"|last=Bienstock|first=Richard|date=April 12, 2019|website=Guitarworld.com|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> This version debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the US Digital Song Sales chart and No. 66 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, marking Five Finger Death Punch's first visit to the latter list since 2011 and also became the band's record-extending tenth Hard Rock Digital Song Sales No. 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/five-finger-death-punch-blue-on-black-cover-hot-100-hot-rock-songs/|title=Five Finger Death Punch's 'Blue on Black' Cover Hits Hot 100 & Hot Rock Songs Chart|website=Billboard.com|access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref> It also topped the ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Songs chart for five non-consecutive weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/2019/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks|title=Mainstream Rock Songs - 2019 Archive|website=Billboard.com|access-date=July 13, 2019|archive-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930175417/https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/2019/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Personnel === * Ivan Moody – co-lead vocals * Jason Hook – lead guitar, backing vocals * Zoltan Bathory – rhythm guitar * Chris Kael – bass guitar, backing vocals * Jeremy Spencer – drums, percussion * Brantley Gilbert – co-lead vocals * Kenny Wayne Shepherd – first guitar solo, backing vocals * Brian May – second guitar solo

=== Certifications === {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Blue on Black|artist=Five Finger Death Punch|type=single|award=Platinum|accessdate=January 22, 2024|relyear=2018|certyear=2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Blue on Black|artist=Five Finger Death Punch|type=single|award=Platinum|accessdate=January 22, 2024|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|note=Remix with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert, and Brian May}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}} {{Clear}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{YouTube|AKAqD2XG_XE|"Blue on Black" (Shepherd audio)}} *{{YouTube|IMCfSjF_vSg|"Blue on Black" (Five Finger Death Punch official video)}}

Category:Blues songs Category:American rock songs Category:1998 singles Category:Song recordings produced by Jerry Harrison Category:Songs written by Tia Sillers Category:Songs written by Mark Selby (musician) Category:Vocal collaborations Category:Kenny Wayne Shepherd songs