B-side Lightning Ground Label Infinity Producer(s) Chain | Released 1971 Writer(s) Chain | |
"Black and Blue" is a 1971 song by Chain which is said to be "genuine Australian blues". It is a song about a chain gang from Australia's convict past, and it struck a raw chord with young suburban audiences, to the extent that it reached #1 on the Australian charts. The song was written by the four members of Chain at the time (the classic Chain line up); Matt Taylor, Phil Manning, Barry Sullivan & Barry Harvey.
"Black and Blue" features on the double gold certified album Toward the Blues, which was released in September 1971 and went to #6 nationally in Australia. The album reached ARIA gold status for the second time in 1998. Also available in CD format and the 30th anniversary "remixed" version of the album was released as a CD in September 2001. The 30th anniversary CD included three bonus songs; Chain's number 2 hit single "Judgement", "Blow in D", and the single version of "Black and Blue". Chain appeared at a special night to mark the 30th anniversary of the release of Toward the Blues held in Melbourne at the Mercury Lounge during September 2001.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band released a version on the album Messin'.