The Black Keys have spent two decades proving that raw, unfiltered blues-rock still has a place in modern music. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney—the duo from Akron, Ohio—have crafted a sound that’s simultaneously gritty and polished, nostalgic and innovative. From their lo-fi basement recordings to their chart-topping collaborations with Danger Mouse, The Black Keys have maintained an authentic edge while evolving into one of rock’s most successful acts. These twenty tracks represent the best of their catalog, showcasing everything from garage rock rawness to funk-infused stadium anthems that defined a generation’s relationship with guitar-driven music.
Lonely Boy
This infectious single from 2011’s “El Camino” became The Black Keys’ biggest commercial breakthrough, reaching number two on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The production by Danger Mouse perfectly captures the band’s evolution toward a more polished sound without sacrificing their raw energy—the guitar riff is deceptively simple but absolutely irresistible. Auerbach’s vocals carry both swagger and vulnerability, and that iconic music video featuring the dancing man in the parking garage became a viral sensation that introduced millions to the band’s unique blend of garage rock and blues. The song’s success on rock radio and streaming platforms proved that stripped-down, guitar-driven rock could still dominate in an increasingly electronic landscape.
Tighten Up
The lead single from “Brothers” marked a turning point in The Black Keys’ career, giving them their first top 40 hit and introducing a funkier, more soulful dimension to their sound. Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, the track benefits from the legendary room’s vibe and history—you can hear the ghosts of classic soul records in the grooves. The falsetto vocals were a departure for Auerbach, showing new range and willingness to experiment, while Carney’s drumming provides a loose, organic feel that’s nearly impossible to replicate with programmed beats. The production incorporates subtle organ and additional percussion that fills out the sonic landscape beautifully, making this essential listening on quality headphones where you can appreciate the layered arrangement.
Gold on the Ceiling
Another massive hit from “El Camino,” this track showcases The Black Keys at their most anthemic. The guitar tone is thick and fuzzy, recalling classic 70s rock while feeling completely contemporary thanks to Danger Mouse’s production expertise. The song’s structure is brilliantly economical—nothing is wasted, every element serves the groove, and the result is pure rock and roll energy condensed into three and a half minutes. The track won three Grammy Awards including Best Rock Performance, and its success helped “El Camino” become the band’s highest-charting album, reaching number two on the Billboard 200.
Howlin’ for You
This “El Camino” standout features one of the band’s most memorable guitar riffs and a vocal performance that channels classic rock swagger. The production creates a massive wall of sound during the chorus while maintaining the raw garage rock aesthetic that defines The Black Keys’ identity. The music video, featuring Tricia Helfer in a revenge thriller storyline, became almost as iconic as the song itself and demonstrated the band’s understanding of visual storytelling. The track’s blend of blues rock foundation with modern production techniques represents the sweet spot where The Black Keys operate most effectively.
Little Black Submarines
Perhaps the band’s most ambitious composition, this epic track from “El Camino” begins as a delicate acoustic ballad before exploding into a distortion-heavy rock anthem. The Beatles influence is unmistakable in the song’s structure and execution—the dynamic shift mirrors “A Day in the Life” or “Happiness Is a Warm Gun” in its dramatic transformation. Auerbach’s vocal performance adapts perfectly to each section, showing remarkable range from the whispered intimacy of the opening verses to the full-throated belting of the climax. The production allows both sections to breathe while creating a cohesive whole that takes listeners on a genuine emotional journey.
Fever
From their breakthrough album “Brothers,” this track established The Black Keys as masters of modern blues rock. The song’s hypnotic groove is built on a simple but incredibly effective riff that demonstrates how restraint can be more powerful than complexity. Recorded with producer Danger Mouse, the production adds subtle electronic elements and texture without overwhelming the core duo’s rawness. The vocal delivery is confident and slightly menacing, perfectly matching the song’s theme of obsessive desire, and the minimal arrangement proves that two musicians with chemistry can create music as full and satisfying as a complete band.
Everlasting Light
The opening track from “Brothers” announced the band’s sonic evolution with a falsetto-driven funk groove that caught longtime fans by surprise. The production is immaculate—every element sits perfectly in the mix, from the punchy bass to the shimmering guitar lines. This song demonstrates The Black Keys’ ability to honor their blues roots while exploring new sonic territory, incorporating influences from soul and R&B without losing their essential identity. The track’s success helped redefine what a Black Keys song could sound like, opening creative doors that would shape their subsequent releases.
Run Right Back
This deep cut from “Turn Blue” deserves far more recognition than it received. The production by Danger Mouse, Dan Auerbach, and Patrick Carney creates a psychedelic atmosphere that recalls the album’s overall concept while maintaining accessibility. The guitar work is particularly inventive here, with Auerbach layering different tones and textures to create a lush sonic tapestry. The lyrics explore themes of repetitive relationship patterns with more vulnerability than the band typically displays, and the melodic hook in the chorus is genuinely memorable—it’s the kind of song that reveals new details with each listen.
Turn Blue
The title track from their 2014 album represents The Black Keys at their most experimental and psychedelic. The production creates a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere that’s a significant departure from their earlier garage rock sound, showing the band’s willingness to evolve and take risks. Auerbach’s vocals float over the arrangement with a detached quality that enhances the song’s themes of emotional disconnection and relationship decay. The guitar work is textured and atmospheric rather than riff-driven, demonstrating that The Black Keys can create compelling music through mood and ambiance rather than relying solely on garage rock energy.
Dead and Gone
This track from “Attack & Release” showcases the band working with producer Danger Mouse for the first time, establishing a partnership that would define their most successful period. The song has a haunting quality enhanced by subtle organ and atmospheric production that creates genuine tension. Auerbach’s vocal delivery is restrained but emotionally resonant, and the minimalist arrangement allows each element to make maximum impact. The production values here marked a noticeable step up from their earlier lo-fi recordings while maintaining the essential rawness that made the band special.
Same Old Thing
From their breakthrough “Brothers” album, this track captures the band’s ability to create instantly memorable hooks with minimal fuss. The guitar riff is raw and direct, cutting through with garage rock energy that recalls their early basement recordings despite the more polished production. Carney’s drumming drives the song forward relentlessly, and there’s an urgency to the performance that suggests a live-in-the-studio approach. The song’s success on alternative rock radio helped establish The Black Keys as festival headliners and demonstrated their crossover appeal beyond the indie rock audience.
I Got Mine
This explosive track from “Attack & Release” remains a fan favorite and concert staple. The production balances raw power with clarity—the distorted guitars are massive but never muddy, and Carney’s drums hit with physical impact that translates even through standard earbuds. The song’s structure is straightforward rock and roll, but the execution is so confident and powerful that it transcends simple genre exercises. The guitar solo is particularly effective, showcasing Auerbach’s ability to channel classic rock heroics without falling into cliché or excessive showboating.
Weight of Love
The ten-minute epic closer from “Turn Blue” represents the band’s most ambitious artistic statement. The song builds gradually from a gentle beginning through multiple movements, eventually exploding into an extended guitar solo that recalls the psychedelic rock of the late 60s and early 70s. Auerbach’s guitar work during the climactic sections is genuinely transcendent—there’s real emotion and narrative in the note choices and phrasing rather than mere technical display. The production allows the song to breathe and develop organically, trusting the listener’s patience and creating a genuinely immersive experience that rewards complete attention.
Lo/Hi
Released as a standalone single in 2019, “Lo/Hi” announced the band’s return from hiatus with their classic sound intact. The production strips back to essentials—heavy guitar, driving drums, and Auerbach’s blues-soaked vocals creating maximum impact with minimal components. The song’s success on rock radio proved that The Black Keys’ fundamental approach still resonated with audiences even as musical trends shifted. The track captures the band at their most direct and powerful, reminding listeners why this duo became one of rock’s most consistent acts.
Your Touch
This track from “Magic Potion” represents the band’s early aesthetic at its finest—recorded in a basement on minimal equipment, yet somehow sounding massive. The lo-fi production quality actually enhances the song’s impact, with the distorted guitar and drums creating a wall of sound that’s physically overwhelming. Auerbach’s vocals are buried in the mix in a way that feels deliberate rather than accidental, adding to the song’s mysterious intensity. This is the sound that built The Black Keys’ reputation before mainstream success, proving that technical limitations couldn’t contain their creative vision.
The Only One
From the “El Camino” sessions, this track showcases the band’s ability to write genuinely catchy hooks without sacrificing their rock credibility. The production by Danger Mouse adds gloss without removing grit—it’s a delicate balance that few producers can achieve successfully. The song has an undeniable pop sensibility in its structure and melody, yet it never feels like pandering or compromise. The guitar tone is perfect, the drums hit hard, and the overall arrangement demonstrates how The Black Keys managed to bridge underground credibility and commercial success more effectively than most of their peers.
Next Girl
This standout from “Brothers” combines garage rock energy with surprisingly sophisticated songwriting. The production captures the band’s raw power while maintaining clarity and dynamics that allow each section to hit with proper impact. Auerbach’s vocal performance is confident and charismatic, delivering lyrics about moving on from failed relationships with swagger rather than self-pity. The guitar work is economical but effective, proving that The Black Keys understand the power of restraint and don’t need to overplay to make their point—it’s exactly as much as the song needs and not a note more.
She’s Long Gone
Opening “Attack & Release” with this explosive rocker was a statement of intent. The song demonstrates the band’s ability to create instant impact—the opening riff grabs attention immediately and never lets go. The production by Danger Mouse marked a sonic evolution from their earlier work, adding depth and clarity without sacrificing the raw energy that defined their sound. The track’s success on rock radio introduced many listeners to The Black Keys for the first time, and it remains a highlight of their live performances where the energy becomes even more intense and physical.
Gotta Get Away
From “Turn Blue,” this track showcases the album’s more psychedelic, introspective direction. The production creates layers of guitar texture that wash over the listener like waves, with subtle keyboard elements adding atmospheric depth. Auerbach’s vocals carry a melancholic quality that matches the song’s themes of escape and disconnection perfectly. The arrangement builds and releases tension expertly, and the overall vibe recalls classic 70s rock while feeling completely contemporary—it’s a testament to the band’s ability to reference influences without becoming derivative or nostalgic.
Ten Cent Pistol
This track from “Brothers” often gets overlooked but deserves recognition for its gorgeous melody and understated arrangement. The production is relatively sparse compared to the album’s bigger moments, allowing Auerbach’s vocal performance and the song’s inherent beauty to shine through without excessive ornamentation. The guitar work is delicate and complementary rather than attention-grabbing, showing the band’s range beyond their more aggressive rockers. The song demonstrates that The Black Keys can deliver genuinely moving ballads without losing their essential identity or falling into generic power ballad territory.
Go
Released as the lead single from “Let’s Rock” in 2019, this track proved The Black Keys still had creative fire after their hiatus. The production returns to a more straightforward rock approach compared to “Turn Blue’s” psychedelic experimentation, yet it doesn’t feel like regression—instead, it’s a confident band playing to their strengths. The guitar riff is immediately memorable, Carney’s drumming is powerful and precise, and the overall energy feels rejuvenated rather than formulaic. The song’s success demonstrated that fans were ready for The Black Keys’ return and that their stripped-down approach to rock music remained relevant and vital.
For those wanting to explore more incredible rock music, The Black Keys’ catalog offers an excellent gateway into modern blues rock that respects tradition while pushing forward. Their ability to evolve without abandoning their core identity makes them one of the most important rock bands of the 21st century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Black Keys’ biggest hit song?
“Lonely Boy” from the 2011 album “El Camino” stands as The Black Keys’ biggest commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and earning widespread radio play. The song’s infectious guitar riff and the viral music video featuring a man dancing in a parking garage helped it become a crossover hit that introduced the band to mainstream audiences beyond their indie rock fanbase. The track won Grammy Awards and has been streamed hundreds of millions of times across platforms, solidifying its place as the band’s signature song and cultural touchstone.
How did The Black Keys get their start?
The Black Keys formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001 when childhood friends Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney began recording music in Carney’s basement. Their early albums were recorded on minimal equipment with a deliberately lo-fi aesthetic that emphasized raw energy over polish. The duo’s breakthrough came with “Brothers” in 2010, which was their first album to work with producer Danger Mouse and represented a sonic evolution that maintained their garage rock roots while achieving greater commercial success and critical acclaim.
What genre are The Black Keys considered?
The Black Keys are primarily classified as blues rock, garage rock, and alternative rock, though their sound has evolved significantly throughout their career. Their early work emphasized raw, lo-fi garage rock heavily influenced by blues traditions, while their collaborations with producer Danger Mouse beginning with “Attack & Release” incorporated elements of soul, funk, and psychedelic rock. The band’s ability to blend traditional blues structures with modern production techniques has created a signature sound that bridges classic rock influences and contemporary sensibilities.
Have The Black Keys won any Grammy Awards?
Yes, The Black Keys have won multiple Grammy Awards throughout their career, with major wins including Best Rock Album for “Brothers” and “El Camino.” Individual songs like “Lonely Boy” and “Gold on the Ceiling” have won awards for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song, cementing the band’s status as one of the most critically acclaimed rock acts of their generation. Their Grammy success helped validate their approach to blues-influenced rock music and demonstrated that traditional guitar-driven music could still achieve both commercial success and critical recognition in the modern music landscape.
Why did The Black Keys take a hiatus?
The Black Keys took an extended break from 2015 to 2019 after years of intensive touring and recording. During this period, both Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney pursued solo projects and side ventures—Auerbach focused on his Easy Eye Sound record label and production work with other artists, while Carney explored different musical projects. The hiatus was amicable and necessary for the duo’s creative rejuvenation, and when they returned with “Let’s Rock” in 2019, both members expressed renewed enthusiasm for their partnership and the music they create together.