Wanting and Waiting

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Wanting and Waiting" by The Black Crowes, a gritty, soulful track from their 2024 album Happiness Bastards, and the Zoo Freaks are loving the raw rock 'n' roll vibe. This song, the lead single from the album, marks the band’s first new material in 15 years since 2009’s Before the Frost…Until the Freeze. Released on January 12, 2024, it’s a hard-riffing anthem that captures the band’s signature blend of Stonesy swagger and Southern rock energy. In a Rolling Stone interview, guitarist Rich Robinson shared that the song came together naturally, reflecting the brothers’ seamless creative chemistry despite years of personal tension. He noted, “When we sit down to write, for whatever reason, it’s always the one natural thing,” highlighting how their songwriting remained untouched by past conflicts.

The music video for "Wanting and Waiting," directed by Christopher Acosta, is the band’s first in 16 years since 2008’s “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution.” Shot in Los Angeles, it features frontman Chris Robinson strutting in a red suit, channeling Mick Jagger, with fiery projections of crows, skulls, and dripping lyrics inspired by the album’s cover art. A post on X from March 5, 2024, by @theblackcrowes hyped the video’s release, and fans raved about its retro energy. One fan commented on American Songwriter, saying it “made me feel like I was 18 again… rock ’n roll just blasts your mind clean and sets your blood on fire.” The song’s groove, compared to AC/DC and Humble Pie by another fan, hit No. 8 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart and No. 18 on Mainstream Rock Airplay, proving the Crowes’ enduring appeal.

Behind the scenes, the band had a blast recording with producer Jay Joyce, who brought a live, unpolished edge to the track. A March 22, 2024, X post shared exclusive footage from the video shoot, showing the brothers laughing and jamming, a testament to their renewed bond after reuniting in 2019. Chris Robinson called Happiness Bastards a “love letter to rock ‘n’ roll” in a Blabbermouth.net statement, emphasizing how “Wanting and Waiting” embodies their mission to keep authentic rock alive in a world dominated by polished pop. The song’s lyrics, like “Blood on fire!” and “I’m nothing but lonely / Wanting and waiting for you,” pulse with longing and defiance, resonating with Zoo Freaks who crave that classic rock spirit.

The Black Crowes began in Marietta, Georgia, in 1984 as a high school band called Mr. Crowe’s Garden, formed by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson. Inspired by the Rolling Stones, Faces, and Southern rock, they started as teenagers jamming in their parents’ basement, honing a raw, bluesy sound. By the late ‘80s, they adopted the Black Crowes name and built a local following with relentless gigging. Their 1990 debut, Shake Your Money Maker, exploded with hits like “Hard to Handle” and “She Talks to Angels,” selling over five million copies and establishing them as torchbearers of retro rock. Despite lineup changes, breakups, and sibling feuds, the Robinsons’ chemistry kept the band’s heart beating. Their 2019 reunion, sparked by a breakfast meeting at the Chateau Marmont, led to a 30th-anniversary tour for Shake Your Money Maker and, eventually, Happiness Bastards.

Stay connected with The Black Crowes through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, behind-the-scenes clips, and fan interactions. Zoo Freaks can also join the Black Crowes Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant community discussing setlists, rare tracks, and concert experiences. For deeper dives, check out fan-run sites like Crowesbase, a comprehensive archive of the band’s history, discography, and live shows. These platforms keep the Crowes’ legacy alive, perfect for Zoo Crew listeners ready to crank “Wanting and Waiting” and lose themselves in rock ‘n’ roll.