Jealous Again

The Zoo Crew is spinning The Black Crowes' "Jealous Again" from their debut album Shake Your Money Maker, and Zoo Freaks, this track’s got some stories to tell! In a 2021 Rolling Stone interview, Chris Robinson shared that the band was green in the studio, with him facing a microphone for the first time and the band struggling to nail the song’s raw energy. They played "Jealous Again" over 40 times to get it right, guided by producer George Drakoulias, who pushed them to channel their inner rock stars. A 2019 X post from The Black Crowes celebrated the song’s legacy, noting their iconic 1990 New Year’s Eve performance on MTV, a moment that cemented their breakout status. The song’s video, as Rolling Stone pointed out in 1990, saw Chris mimicking Rod Stewart’s swagger, blending nostalgia with a fresh, gritty edge that made it a staple on MTV.

Another tidbit comes from a 2021 Sonic Perspectives piece about the 30th anniversary re-release of Shake Your Money Maker, which included an acoustic version of "Jealous Again." This stripped-down take, recorded in the band’s early days, showcased their raw talent before they hit the big time. Chris Robinson, in a 2020 Facebook post for the The Black Crowes page, performed the song on The Howard Stern Show, highlighting its enduring appeal. The track’s infectious groove and Chris’s expressive drawl, as noted in a 1990 Rolling Stone review, helped it stand out in an era dominated by hair metal, giving rock a much-needed kick.

The Black Crowes started as Mr. Crowe’s Garden in Atlanta, Georgia, in the mid-1980s, founded by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson. As detailed in a 2025 Albumism article, the band was initially influenced by jangly, R.E.M.-style sounds and punk vibes. Their transformation came when A&R guru George Drakoulias, working with Rick Rubin’s Def American Records, spotted their potential. He introduced Rich to open G tuning and steeped them in Rolling Stones records, urging them to embrace a grittier, blues-rock sound. They changed their name to The Black Crowes and recorded Shake Your Money Maker in 1989, with minimal gear—Rich shared an amp with guitarist Jeff Cease, and drummer Steve Gorman learned to play to a click track on the fly. The album’s success, driven by hits like "Jealous Again," propelled them to sell over five million copies and top Rolling Stone’s Best New American Band poll in 1990.

Zoo Freaks can connect with The Black Crowes on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at sites like CrowesBase, a detailed fan archive of the band’s history, and the Black Crowes Fan Club on Facebook, where devotees share memories, setlists, and news. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let "Jealous Again" keep you rockin’!