May 3rd, 2013
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today's song, "Black Diamond," is a favorite of Kiss fans because it was often played to triumphantly close the band's concerts.
At the end of the song, Peter Criss and his drum platform would rise high above the other band members, as the surrounding stage would blaze with pyrotechnics. Often Criss would add to the theatrics by violently sacrificing his drum set to the concert gods. (See Criss in action in the video at the end of this post.)
Written by the band's rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, "Black Diamond" was the final track of Kiss, the successful debut album released in 1974. The song features a sweet sounding acoustic intro sung by rhythm guitarist Stanley before transitioning to a rocking riff by drummer Peter Criss on lead vocals.
Known for black-and-white face paint and comic-book stage outfits, the original band members were Paul Stanley (Starchild), Gene Simmons (The Demon), Ace Frehley (Spaceman or Space Ace) and Criss (Catman).
Kiss is credited with worldwide sales of more than 100 million albums, spanning five decades. The band's original members joined for a reunion tour in 1996. It was the top-grossing act in 1996 and 1997.
Enjoy our 1970s Kiss flashback. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along. Don't forget to see the video from the band's 1975 appearance on "The Midnight Special."
"Black Diamond"
Written by Paul Stanley. Performed by Kiss.
Out on the street for a living
Picture's only begun
Got you under their thumb
Hit it
Out on the streets for a living
Picture's only begun
Your day is sorrow and madness
Got you under their thumb
Whoo, black diamond
Whoo, black diamond
Darkness will fall on the city
It seems to follow you too
And though you don't ask for pity
There's nothin' that you can do, no, no
Whoo, black diamond
Whoo, black diamond
Out on the streets for a living
Picture's only begun
Your day is sorrow and madness
Got you under their thumb
Whoo, black diamond, yeah
Whoo, black diamond
At the end of the song, Peter Criss and his drum platform would rise high above the other band members, as the surrounding stage would blaze with pyrotechnics. Often Criss would add to the theatrics by violently sacrificing his drum set to the concert gods. (See Criss in action in the video at the end of this post.)
Written by the band's rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, "Black Diamond" was the final track of Kiss, the successful debut album released in 1974. The song features a sweet sounding acoustic intro sung by rhythm guitarist Stanley before transitioning to a rocking riff by drummer Peter Criss on lead vocals.
Known for black-and-white face paint and comic-book stage outfits, the original band members were Paul Stanley (Starchild), Gene Simmons (The Demon), Ace Frehley (Spaceman or Space Ace) and Criss (Catman).
Kiss is credited with worldwide sales of more than 100 million albums, spanning five decades. The band's original members joined for a reunion tour in 1996. It was the top-grossing act in 1996 and 1997.
Enjoy our 1970s Kiss flashback. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along. Don't forget to see the video from the band's 1975 appearance on "The Midnight Special."
"Black Diamond"
Written by Paul Stanley. Performed by Kiss.
Out on the street for a living
Picture's only begun
Got you under their thumb
Hit it
Out on the streets for a living
Picture's only begun
Your day is sorrow and madness
Got you under their thumb
Whoo, black diamond
Whoo, black diamond
Darkness will fall on the city
It seems to follow you too
And though you don't ask for pity
There's nothin' that you can do, no, no
Whoo, black diamond
Whoo, black diamond
Out on the streets for a living
Picture's only begun
Your day is sorrow and madness
Got you under their thumb
Whoo, black diamond, yeah
Whoo, black diamond
