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Rating: The year was 1979, and in England, the early murmurs of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal were already being felt—this musical movement revitalized the conventions of '70s hard rock by blending its elements with punk, which had exploded like a bomb around the mid-seventies. Thin Lizzy, fresh from their worldwide acclaim due to the success of albums like Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox, and Bad Reputation, came forth in splendid form at the end of what is arguably the most ingenious decade of Rock music (or at least it is for me!) with the album Black Rose. Lynott is more inspired than ever, and the arrival of the great Gary Moore on the second guitar (though for me, he's the first!), replacing Brian Robertson, adds a touch of class to the record that allows Lizzy to make a decisive leap in quality compared to their previous works.
It begins with the lively "Do Anything You Want To" which paves the way for "Toughest Street In Town," a vigorous track where the guitars take center stage, accompanying Lynott's always captivating voice. Once past the enjoyable "S & M," we encounter what is Lizzy's most well-known song (of course, after the eternal "The Boys Are Back In Town"), namely "Waiting For An Alibi," and here you find yourself facing an authentic 3-minute masterpiece—listen to believe! Lynott's bass intro is as simple as it is driving, and the two guitars almost seem to "talk" to each other, especially in the final part where both sound absolutely magnificent!!! The fifth track, "Sarah," is characterized by Moore's skillful guitar work, along with Lynott's usual exceptional performance, making this ballad absolutely delightful. We charge forward with three explosive tracks: "Got To Give It Up," "Get Out Of Here," and "With Love," which precede the album's gem "Roisin Dubh" (Black Rose), a 7-minute jewel inspired by a collection of 19th-century Irish poems contained in the work "Dark Rosaleen," dealing with the theme of the desire for independence that ignites the hearts of Ireland. Within the track, the guitars also perform four traditional Irish pieces like "Shenandoah," "Will You Go," "Danny Boy," and "The Mason's Apron"—absolutely a track to listen to!
This is the Thin Lizzy album that moves me the most, I even prefer it over Jailbreak, which made them famous; every lover of good rock music should own it, for those in the know...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Do Anything You Want To (03:53)
There are people that will investigate you
they'll incinuate intimidate and complicate you
don't ever wait or hesitate
to state the fate that awaits of those who
try to shake or take you
don't let them break you
CHORUS
You, can do anything you wanna do
it's not wrong what i say is true
you can do anything you wanna do
do what you want to
People who despise you
will analyse and critizise you
they'll scandalyise untill they realise you
are someone they should've apolagised to
Don't let these people compromise you
be wise to
Chorus
Hey you, you're not that puppet on a string
you can do everything
It's true if you really want to
you can do anything you want
Just like i do
Chorus
hey you, you can do.
hey you, yes you
Elvis is dead
the king of rock and roll is dead
Elvis is dead
04 Waiting for an Alibi (03:30)
Valentino's got a booky shop and what he takes
He gives for what he's got
And what he's got he says he has not
Stole from anyone
It's not that he don't tell the truth
Or even that he misspent his youth
It's just that he holds the proof
But you feel there's something's wrong
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Valentino's in a cold sweat, placed all his money on that last bet
Against the odds he smokes another cigarette
Says that it helps him to forget
That he's a nervous wreck
It's not that he misses much
Or even that he's lost his lucky touch
It's just that he gambles so much
And you know that it's wrong
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting just to catch your eye
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Try to say I told you I told you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting just to get you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
To say I told you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
05 Sarah (03:31)
One, two
One, two, three, four
When you came in my life you changed my world
My Sarah
Everything seemed so right my baby girl
My Sarah
You are all I want to know
You hold my heart so don't let go
You are all I need to live
My love to you I'll give
My Sarah
When you begin to smile you change my style
My Sarah
When I look in your eyes I see my prize
My Sarah
You are all I want to know
You hold my heart so don't let go
You are all I need to live
My love to you I'll give
You are all I want to know
Oh my Sarah
Don't let go oh no
My Sarah
You are all I want to know
You hold my heart so don't let go
You are all I need to live
My love to you I'll always give
You are all I want to know
You hold my heart so don't let go
You are all I want to know
Oh my Sarah
Yes you changed my style with your baby smile
Sarah
Childlike charms keep me warm hold you in my arms
Sarah
Change my world my baby girl
Sarah
All I want to know don't let go
No, no, no, no, no, no
Sarah
Sarah
Be mine
06 Got to Give It Up (04:24)
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
Tell my mama and tell my pa
That their fine young son didn't get far
He made it to the end of a bottle
Sitting in a sleazy bar
He tried hard but his spirit broke
He tried until he nearly choked
In the end he lost his
Bottle drinking alcohol
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
Tell my brother I tried to write and
Put pen to paper but I was frightened
I couldn't seem to get the words out right
Right quite right
Tell my sister I'm sinking slow
Now and again I powder my nose
In the end I lost my bottle
It smashed in a casbah
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
I've been messing with the heavy stuff
For a time I couldn't get enough
But I'm waking up and it's wearing off
Junk don't take you far
Tell my Mama I'm coming home
In my youth I'm getting older
And I think it's lost control
Mama I'm coming home
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
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