The Black Crowes – “Jealous Again”: Southern Rock Revival in Full Strut
When The Black Crowes burst onto the scene in 1990 with “Jealous Again,” they weren’t following trends — they were igniting a rootsy, raw, rock ’n’ roll rebellion. At a time when hair metal was fading and grunge was still tuning its first chords, this band of long-haired brothers from Georgia arrived sounding like they’d stepped out of a whiskey-soaked bar in 1973.
“Jealous Again” wasn’t just their debut single — it was a mission statement:
Unfiltered. Loud. Southern. Soulful. And completely unapologetic.
The Sound: Grit, Groove, and Guitars That Scream
“Jealous Again” kicks off with a swaggering, open-chord guitar riff that immediately evokes the ghosts of the Stones, Faces, and the Allman Brothers — all filtered through Rich Robinson’s low-slung Gibson tone. It’s greasy, bluesy, and full of stomp.
Behind that groove is Steve Gorman’s rock-solid drumming, Johnny Colt’s thick, swinging bass line, and Eddie Harsch’s keys filling in the cracks with gospel-tinged flair. It’s a tight band that sounds loose — the holy grail of rock ‘n’ roll chemistry.
And then comes Chris Robinson’s voice — raspy, raw, and righteous — like Otis Redding fronting Humble Pie.
The Lyrics: Passion, Possession, and Pure Rock Attitude
“Cheat the odds that made you / Brave to try to gamble at times…”
Lyrically, “Jealous Again” is a blues-soaked rant against possessiveness and control, dressed up in poetic sneer. Robinson sings from the point of view of someone pushed too far by a jealous lover, refusing to be caged or tamed.
“I’m jealous again / Got no time, baby.”
It’s not just a break-up song — it’s a declaration of independence, with equal parts anger and cool detachment. Robinson’s delivery turns emotional frustration into rock defiance.
The Impact: A Retro Sound in a Modern Era
Released as the first single from their debut album Shake Your Money Maker, “Jealous Again” hit at a time when its sound was out of step with mainstream trends — and that’s exactly why it worked.
The single reached #5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and helped push the album into platinum territory. Critics and fans alike took notice: here was a band unafraid to wear its influences on its sleeve, yet capable of turning them into something vital and new.
The song — and the album — kickstarted a new wave of interest in blues-based, Southern-tinged rock, paving the way for acts like the Black Keys and Kings of Leon years later.
Live Fire: A Concert Staple
“Jealous Again” quickly became a signature Black Crowes live track, often extended into jam-heavy renditions, complete with vocal ad-libs, guitar battles, and even harmonica freakouts. It remains a staple in their setlists, often serving as an early-set firestarter or a fan-favorite encore.
Live, it becomes even more alive — rougher, funkier, and more unpredictable.
Legacy: The Song That Started It All
“Jealous Again” wasn’t the Black Crowes’ biggest hit (that would come later with “She Talks to Angels” and their Otis Redding cover “Hard to Handle”), but it was the match that lit the fuse. It announced the arrival of a band that believed rock ‘n’ roll wasn’t dead — it was just sleeping off a hangover.
More than 30 years on, the song hasn’t lost an ounce of its fire.
Final Thoughts
“Jealous Again” is pure, unapologetic rock ’n’ roll.
It’s what happens when Southern roots collide with British blues influence and attitude pours out of every amp.
It doesn’t beg.
It struts.
And it’s still standing tall — long hair flying, boots planted, and guitars blazing.
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