Blues rock powerhouse Joe Bonamassa is back with a brand-new single, ‘Shake This Ground’, out now via J&R Adventures. A bold, anthemic call to shake free from the past and present, the track pulses with raw intensity, pairing Bonamassa’s masterful guitar work with gripping storytelling and an unrelenting rhythm.
By virtue of its title, you somehow expect ‘Shake This Ground’ to explode with a torrent of raging six string power instead an acoustic guitar rings out loose but warm, joined by organ and backing vocals. It’s in fact the dry timbre of Bonamassa’s narrative voice that keeps you listening, so much so you’re only dimly aware of various other subtle sounds shifting in and out this near-country ballad, meaning you’re more than likely to hit replay.
Co-written by Bonamassa and James House, ‘Shake This Ground’ is about hitting a rough patch in a relationship and finding a way to shake things up before it’s too late. The song’s steady rhythm and heartfelt lyrics capture the moment when two people recognise the need to break out of a rut and get back to what made them strong in the first place. Bonamassa’s rich, expressive vocals bring both grit and warmth to the track, making every word feel real and lived-in. Lines like “Ain’t saying that I have all the answers, ‘cause I got more questions than I need” speak to the uncertainty that can creep into any relationship, while the powerful chorus is all about moving forward—A hopeful and inspirational reminder that it’s never too late to turn things around.
Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes, Journey), ‘Shake This Ground’ expands Bonamassa’s evolving sound while staying rooted in his blues rock foundation and is the first glimpse from his upcoming new studio album slated for later this year. The track arrives on the heels of his recent collaboration with Sammy Hagar on the searing single ‘Fortune Teller Blues’, further cementing Bonamassa’s place at the forefront of modern blues.
“This is a song that James House and I wrote randomly that did not seem to find a home until almost a year later,” Bonamassa recalled. “I love the way James writes lyrics. The lines sing themselves and have a good amount of meaning now. All good songs find their time and place eventually.”
You can stream the single here and check out the video below.
