Shine Down
Encyclopedia
"Shine Down" is a single by heavy metal
band Godsmack
. It was featured on the band's fourth studio album, IV
. The song landed a spot on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
at number four.
"I played no role in Shine Down. Sully came in with that song. It is one of the ones on the album where he had it and brought it in. He simply said, 'Give me the "When the Levee Breaks
" type drum beat.' Then he played the riff, and we had the song and it was rock. We didn't even know about the harmonica part."
Sully Erna
is heard playing the harmonica
during the bridge of the song. In an interview with Shannon Larkin
, he said that Sully Erna threw in the harmonica solo because he would sit around the studio and jam on his harmonica. Also, it might have been Andy Johns idea, he's the one who said, "You should put the harp in the song."
Godsmack performed the song on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on September 5, 2006.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Godsmack
Godsmack
Godsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
. It was featured on the band's fourth studio album, IV
IV (Godsmack album)
-Track listing:-Godsmack:* Sully Erna - rhythm guitar, vocals, producer* Tony Rombola - lead guitar, backing vocals* Robbie Merrill - bass guitar* Shannon Larkin - drums, percussion-Others:*P. R...
. The song landed a spot on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
at number four.
Writing
According to Shannon Larkin, the song was written by Sully Erna:"I played no role in Shine Down. Sully came in with that song. It is one of the ones on the album where he had it and brought it in. He simply said, 'Give me the "When the Levee Breaks
When the Levee Breaks
"When the Levee Breaks" is a blues song written and first recorded by husband and wife Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. The song is in reaction to the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927....
" type drum beat.' Then he played the riff, and we had the song and it was rock. We didn't even know about the harmonica part."
Sully Erna
Sully Erna
Salvatore Paul "Sully" Erna , is an American vocalist and primary songwriter for the American heavy metal band, Godsmack. Erna is also a guitarist and drummer, performing these both on albums and during live shows. He has a daughter named Skylar Brooke Erna and an older sister named Maria.-Early...
is heard playing the harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
during the bridge of the song. In an interview with Shannon Larkin
Shannon Larkin
Shannon Larkin, born James Shannon Larkin on April 24, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, is a musician best known for being the drummer of the heavy metal band Godsmack. He replaced the previous drummer Tommy Stewart in June 2002...
, he said that Sully Erna threw in the harmonica solo because he would sit around the studio and jam on his harmonica. Also, it might have been Andy Johns idea, he's the one who said, "You should put the harp in the song."
Song meaning
According to Shannon Larkin, the song is about the band's continued belief in a higher power. "The song is about knowing there's something out there, whatever God you believe in. But some kind of power that shines down on you and helps you face the next day or whatever." Shannon Larkin said.Godsmack performed the song on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on September 5, 2006.
Personnel
- Sully ErnaSully ErnaSalvatore Paul "Sully" Erna , is an American vocalist and primary songwriter for the American heavy metal band, Godsmack. Erna is also a guitarist and drummer, performing these both on albums and during live shows. He has a daughter named Skylar Brooke Erna and an older sister named Maria.-Early...
- Vocals, Rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Tony RombolaTony RombolaTony Rombola is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist for the Boston-based heavy metal band Godsmack since the mid-1990s...
- Lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Robbie MerrillRobbie MerrillRobbie Merrill is an American bass guitar player, best known for his work with the heavy metal band Godsmack....
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Shannon LarkinShannon LarkinShannon Larkin, born James Shannon Larkin on April 24, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, is a musician best known for being the drummer of the heavy metal band Godsmack. He replaced the previous drummer Tommy Stewart in June 2002...
- DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Andy JohnsAndy JohnsAndy Johns is an engineer and producer who worked on well-known rock albums such as Led Zeppelin's IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. His sound is exemplified by Free's album Highway, which he engineered and produced....
- ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Chart positions
Singles - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 4 |
| 2006 | Modern Rock Tracks | 31 |