Black Rose: A Rock legend Songs Ranked

Black Rose: A Rock Legend is the ninth studio album by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. Released in 1979, it has been described as one of the band’s “greatest, most successful albums”. It was the first time that blues-rock guitarist Gary Moore remained in Thin Lizzy long enough to record an album– after previous brief stints in 1974 and 1977 with the band. The album peaked at No. 2 on the UK charts– making it the band’s highest-charting album in the UK. It was their fourth consecutive album to be certified Gold by the BPI. Black Rose included the second song Phil Lynott wrote about a member of his family titled “Sarah”, the first song by this name having appeared on 1972’s Shades of a Blue Orphanage, written about his grandmother, also named Sarah. The song on Black Rose is about his new-born daughter. The last track “Róisín Dubh”, consists of traditional songs, all arranged by Lynott and Moore, as well as many original parts. The song “Will You Go Lassie, Go” (also known as “Wild Mountain Thyme”) is sometimes mistakenly credited as a traditional song but was in fact written by William McPeake and first recorded by Francis McPeake. It is credited on the album to “F. McPeak.” Here are all of Black Rose: A Rock legend songs ranked.

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9. S&M

“S&M, it’s a strange track in the bands legacy. A funky robotic bass/drum groove drives this one, showing off Lynott’s penchant for groove bass lines he rarely showed. The song’s subject is clear but it does stick out in amongst most of the material and the production is a little muddy but it’s a cool song nonetheless.”

8. Sarah

“Sarah is a touching ballad dedicated to Phil’s then recently born daughter, the subject matter makes it hard to say anything bad about the song but it isn’t one of the bands best ballads but it is very nice still and has some good acoustic guitar work.”

7. Got to Give It Up

“Got To Give It Up is fairly autobiographical and returns the band to the dark songwriting path they were exploring so much on Bad Reputation. The opening is certainly bleak sounding but it soon morphs into a good crisp rocker thats a highlight for sure.”

See more: Thin Lizzy Albums Ranked

6. Do Anything You Want to Do

“Absolutely thundering drums open the album on “Do Anything You Want To”, Lynott’s hook-filled ode to self-empowerment. Thin Lizzy’s patented dual-lead licks are placed in full effect here by Moore and Gorham, almost as a cursory nod to the band’s more traditional sound. This a strong album opener but it almost sounds perfunctory, as if to placate those looking for a basic Lizzy song to cover all bases.”

5. Toughest Street In Town

“Things get more fun with “Toughest Street In Town”, a wickedly uptempo piece of Power Pop. Retaining Lizzy’s distorted power chord riffage, it manages that sweet combo of catchy melodies, strong harmonies, and amped-up rock backbone.”

4. Get Out of Here

“Get Out Of Here returns the fun. It’s a good uptempo rocker that has even has some pseudo speak-sing vocal work and features more of that infectious gang back up vocals, the main riff’s variation following the first chorus is quite good and really gets you moving.”

See more: Thin Lizzy Songs Ranked

3. With Love

“With Love is a near brilliant song, for the first time here we find the bands trademark light rocker. There’s nothing too special about it musically but the parts combined go a lot further than say any individual instrument. It’s the atmosphere cooked up here that works so well.”

2. Waiting for an Alibi

“Waiting For An Alibi is a masterpiece. Valentino’s got a bookie shop… Gary Moore just makes this album better. Sorry Brian Robertson but Gary is so far above you it wasn’t even a contest. Sarah is another song with the same title but this time it’s about Phil’s baby daughter and not his grandmother. A sweet song.”

1. Roisin Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend

“Moore’s masterful fretwork, along with that of classic longtime Lizzy co-lead guitarist Scott Gorham, lends an indelible mark of virtuosity to Black Rose: A Rock Legend. All these elements are anchored by Lynott’s steady vocals and evocative, slice-of-life lyrics that can recall anything from grandiose Irish mythology to menacing street corner toughs. The man simply knew how to tell a story better than most in rock music.”