In 1998, the song was released as a single and reached the top position on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

In 2019, Shepherd teamed up with American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch, along with country singer Brantley Gilbert and Queen guitarist Brian May for a reworked version of "Blue on Black".

Shepherd discussed the song's commercial significance in an interview: The success at rock radio that we had early in my career, with 'Blue on Black,' I think we set a record.

[10] A review in Billboard, described the song as a "widely appealing meld of brooding southern rock, searing blues guitar and alt-country touches".

[12] Proceeds from the model were to be donated to Providence House, a Shreveport, Louisiana shelter and development program for homeless families with children.

American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch recorded "Blue on Black" for their 2018 album And Justice for None.

However, on April 12, 2019, a version different to the one on that album, was released as a single, together with Kenny Shepherd, country musician Brantley Gilbert and Queen guitarist Brian May.