Top 10 Black Stone Cherry Songs

Who is Black Stone Cherry?

Brewed from the dry county of Edmonton, Kentucky, fiery Southern-fried rockers Black Stone Cherry (BSC) might well be the toast of the town.

For the past two decades, they have moonshined their vicious yet refreshing breed of greasy riffage and stirring anthems from dirty, sweaty clubs to selling out stadiums worldwide. It was one of these clubs where I first saw the band back in 2007 — Corporation, Sheffield, UK.

The tour supported their debut self-titled album, and there couldn’t have been more than 100 people in attendance.

Thankfully, bad luck and hard love were not tattooed on my spine that night, as I was treated to a thrilling and thunderous set epitomized by the band’s raw, no-nonsense approach, not to mention several songs that have made this list.

A further six studio albums have followed, along with a surprising but commendable foray into blues covers territory with their Back to Blues and Back to Blues Volume 2 EPs.

However, BSC’s unique sound, clever storytelling, and explosive energy sit on the often blurred borderline between hard rock and southern rock, specializing in singalong anthems that yell heavy and melodic.

The DNA of BSC may be in my blood and in my bones, but that doesn’t make choosing the best Black Stone Cherry songs any easier.

Here is Blues Rock Review’s list of the top 10 Black Stone Cherry songs.

10. “Like I Roll”

A personal favorite off the Between The Devil & Deep Blue Sea record, “Like I Roll” is a straight-up, enriching rock ‘n’ roll number dedicated to the free-spirited life of living on the road. Its nostalgic melody takes a country turn every now and then, but the good-time feeling never stops.

The perfect excuse for fueling a road trip or a summertime cruise down the highway, this is a song that leaves you wanting to step on the gas every time.

9. “Again”

The only track from 2020’s The Human Condition to make the cut, “Again” captures the core sound of BSC with its huge chorus and headbanging riff. Electrifying and rhythmic, singer Chris Robertson’s soulful voice is tailor-made for this muscular number that carries a hopeful essence and a punchy intro.

8. “Things My Father Said”

A moving, piano-led ballad that serves as a beautiful tribute to deserving fathers everywhere, the poignant “Things My Father Said” is a tear-jerking tribute from Robertson to his late dad.

Taken from 2008’s Folklore and Superstition album, where their songwriting reached a more personal and serious threshold, this is the sound of a maturing band demonstrating versatility away from their signature heavy blend.

7. “Rain Wizard”

With a downpour of heavy noise, BSC brought magic to our lands with the opening track from their eponymous debut LP. “Rain Wizard” is groove-laden and drenches you to the bones with a dramatic introduction that solidifies into a sing-along chorus.

This hard-hitting folk tale talks about a mysterious wiseman who could bring rain in times of drought, and whets the appetite of listeners to enjoy another bite of the cherry.

6. “Peace is Free”

A grand anthem with lyrics especially poignant for today’s world, “Peace Is Free” starts off marvelously calm and solemn with acoustic guitar and restrained drumming, until a roof-raising chorus and bewitching choir-backed vocals make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

A timely reminder that ‘everybody feels blue sometimes,’ the band usually performs a special acoustic version of the song to close their shows, with the voices of their ardent fanbase singing the words to create something compelling and genuine.

5. “Lonely Train”

The band’s first single is still arguably their heaviest to date, with a dirty, spiteful, chugging riff that relentlessly goes full steam ahead down the heavy distortion line.

From the off, Robertson’s deep growly vocals ignite adrenaline as he heaps burning coals on a ‘big train rolling down the line’ and even finds time to deliver a magnificent bluesy melodic guitar solo as this grungy favorite charges down the tracks.

4. “Me and Mary Jane”

BSC scaled the Magic Mountain in 2014, with the highlight being the insanely catchy “Me and Mary Jane.” While there are some less-than-subtle hints to the hallucinogenic, the mammoth hook, groovy riff, and gritty and timeless chorus will blow your mind.

A firm crowd-pleaser when performed live, you can only marvel at John Fred Young’s (BSC drummer) energy on this bhang-er of a tune. 

3. “Devil’s Queen”

With references to blues legends ‘Mr. Johnson and Sonny Boy,’ this fast-paced voyage aboard the “Devil’s Queen” has an enormous, uplifting beat layered with cunning organs and slide guitars.

The drop-tuned six-stringing reaches a stunning climax as the song begins to dock, with a dual solo that flickers between two scowling guitars. 

2. “Blind Man”

With its colossal riff and pummeling classic-rock feel, the opening track from Folklore and Superstition is one you did see coming — it’s vintage BSC.

Bringing a heavier hard rock edge to the blues-jam (almost boogie) driven southern rock sound, “Blind Man” sports a memorable gang-vocal chorus and a killer raspy delivery by Robertson.

1. “Hell and High Water”

From a humble farming town in southern Kentucky to a sold-out performance at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, BSC has gone through “Hell and High Water” to get to where they are today.

With its driving tempo and melodious qualities, this blues-rock cut from their first album splashes in all the right places with its wonderful bluesy licks, crazy drum fills, and a smoking guitar solo. It’s the first song I ever heard from this humble four-piece outfit and still hits just as hard today.

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