"Shine Down" is a single by the band

Godsmack Godsmack is an American Rock music, rock band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is currently composed of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill. Since its formation, Godsmack has released eig ...

. It was featured on the band's fourth studio album, '' IV''. The song landed a spot on the

Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock is a music chart published by '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States. It is an administrative category that combines the " active rock" and " heritage rock" ...

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" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. "When the Levee Brea ...

" 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 Salvatore Paul Erna Jr. (born February 7, 1968) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter, best known as the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for rock band Godsmack. He is also a harmonica player, drummer, and percussionist, performing these ...

is heard playing the

harmonica The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica incl ...

during the bridge of the song. In an interview with

Shannon Larkin James Shannon Larkin (born April 24, 1967) is an American musician, best known as the former drummer of the rock band Godsmack. He replaced the band's previous drummer Tommy Stewart in June 2002, and played on six of their studio albums: '' Fac ...

, 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. Later Sully Erna added that the song is not about the God that religions talk about. Godsmack performed the song on

Late Night with Conan O'Brien ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' is an American television talk show broadcast by NBC. The show is the second installment of the ''Late Night (franchise), Late Night'' franchise originally established by David Letterman. Hosted by Conan O'Brie ...

on September 5, 2006.

Personnel

– vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, producer *

Tony Rombola Tony Rombola (born November 24, 1964) is an American musician who had been the lead guitarist for the Boston-based rock band Godsmack from the mid-1990s until April 2025. He has been cited as "an extraodinaire" in the guitar world by ''Guitar Wo ...

– lead guitar *

Robbie Merrill Robbie Merrill (born June 13, 1963) is an American bassist, best known as a founding member of the rock bands Godsmack and Another Animal. He was featured in the '' Behind the Player'' interactive music video. Biography Born in Lawrence, Mass ...

– bass *

– drums *

Andy Johns Jeremy Andrew Johns (20 May 1950 – 7 April 2013) was a British sound engineer and record producer who worked on several well-known rock albums, including the Rolling Stones' '' Exile on Main St.'' (1972), Television's '' Marquee Moon'' (1977), ...

– producer

Chart positions

Singles U.S. ''Billboard''

References

{{Godsmack 2006 singles Godsmack songs