"Black and Blue" is a 1971 song by Chain which is said to be "genuine Australian blues".[1] 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.[1] 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 2nd time in 1998.[1] 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 3 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.