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Black is Black – Los Bravos

Los Bravos - Wikipedia

About the Song

Los Bravos, a Spanish rock band formed in the early 1960s, made a global impact with their breakthrough single “Black Is Black” in 1966. The song, with its catchy melody and soulful lyrics, became an anthem of the garage rock era, continuing to captivate listeners of all ages to this day.

Los Bravos, formed in Barcelona, originally consisted of Mike Kogel (lead vocals), Manuel and Antonio García (guitars), Óscar Avellaneda (bass), and Johnny Forrester (drums). Their music was heavily influenced by British and American rock and roll bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Animals, infused with a vibrant Latin flair.

“Black Is Black” is a prime example of Los Bravos’ garage rock style. The song opens with a driving electric guitar riff, leading into a rousing chorus with simple yet effective lyrics: “Black is black / I said black is black / And white is white / I said white is white.”

Mike Kogel’s soulful vocals are the centerpiece of the song, conveying a powerful message of self-assertion and self-acceptance. The song’s lyrics, though simple, are highly metaphorical, open to various interpretations.

“Black Is Black” became a global hit, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has also been covered by numerous artists, including The Carpenters, Santana, and Van Halen.

“Black Is Black” is a lasting legacy of Los Bravos and the garage rock era. It is a testament to the power of simple yet effective music, capable of connecting with people of all ages and cultures.

Los Bravos had a relatively short career, but they left an indelible mark on rock and roll history. “Black Is Black” will forever remain one of the most iconic rock and roll anthems of all time.

Los Bravos - Black is Black (Cover Audio) - YouTube

Video

Lyrics: Black Is Black

Black is black
I want my baby back
It’s gray, it’s gray
Since she went away, ooh-ooh
What can I do
‘Cause I-I-I-I-I’m feelin’ blue

If I had my way
She’d be back today
But she don’t intend
To see me again, ooh-ooh
What can I do
‘Cause I-I-I-I-I’m feelin’ blue

I can’t choose
It’s too much to lose
My love’s too strong
Wow! Maybe if she
Would come back to me
Then it can’t go wrong

Bad is bad
That I feel so sad
It’s time, it’s time
That I found peace of mind, ooh-ooh
What can I do
‘Cause I-I-I-I-I’m feelin’ blue

I can’t choose
It’s too much to lose
My love’s too strong
Wow! Maybe if she
Would come back to me
Then it can’t go wrong

Black is black
I want my baby back
It’s gray, it’s gray
Since she went away, ooh-ooh
What can I do
‘Cause I-I-I-I-I’m feelin’ blue
‘Cause I-I-I-I-I’m feelin’ blue

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Elvis Presley’s greatest musical gift was not putting words onto paper. It was hearing something inside a song that other people sometimes could not hear yet. Give him someone else’s melody and lyrics, and he could reshape the emotion through his phrasing, timing and voice until the recording felt intensely personal.

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The musicians at RCA Studio B were ready to make records. They were not ready for the way Elvis Presley entered the room. During his celebrated Nashville sessions in 1970, bassist Norbert Putnam remembered Elvis appearing in dramatic fashion—wearing a flowing black cape and carrying an ornate cane. Putnam later recalled the impression that it was almost as though “a prince had walked into the room.”

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