All members of the band are from other, well known alternative rock groups. Mosshart is a member of The Kills, Fertita is a member of Queens of the Stone Age, Lawrence is a member of The Greenhornes and The Raconteurs and White was a member of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs.
White produced their album, Horehound, which was released in the US on July 14th 2009. The album was recorded in three weeks at White's own Third Man Studio in Nashville. This group sparks particular interest because Jack White, well known for guitar skills, played drums with this band.. White’s last booking as a drummer was with the Detroit punk outfit Goober and the Peas, aged 19.
Treat Me Like Your Mother
The Dead Weather Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I always think you do it
You better learn to shake hands
Treat me like your mother
Don't act like you can't act
Stand up like a man
You better learn to shake hands
And treat me like your mother
You came up, too late
You came up, too late now
You came up, too late
To do a thing
Come on look me in the eye
You wanna try to tell a lie
I'll bet you can't and you know why?
I'm just like your mother
Look me in the eye now
You wanna try to tell a lie
You can't and you know why?
I'm just like your mother
You came up, too late
You came up, too late now
You came up, too late
Play dumb, play dead, play straight
Who's got it figured out?
(Play dumb, play dead, play straight)
Who's got it figured out? play straight
Time to manipulate
M-a-n-i-p-u-late
M-a-n-i-p-u-late
M-a-n-i-p-u-late
M-a-n-i-p-u-late
Am I too,
Am I late
Am I too
Am I late
Am I, am I, am I, am I,
Am I too
Late
Who's got it figured out
Left right, left right got it figured out
Who's got it figured out play straight
Stand up like a man
You better learn to shake hands
Look me in the eye now
And treat me like your mother
Come on, look me in the eye
You wanna try to tell a lie?
You can't and you know why?
I'm just like your mother
Play dumb, play dead
Tryin' to manipulate
You blink when you breathe and you breathe when you lie
You blink when you lie
You blink when you breathe and you breathe when you lie
You blink when you lie
You blink when you breathe and you breathe when you lie
You blink when you lie
Who's got it figured out
Left right, left right got it figured out
Who's got it figured out, play straight
Tryin' to manipulate
Who's got it figured out
(Left, left right) left right left right
Who's got it figured out, play straight
Tryin' to manipulate
You blink when you breathe and you breathe when you lie
You blink when you lie
Who's got it figured out, play straight
The Dead Weather's "Treat Me Like Your Mother" is a confrontational song that opens with a challenge. The singer tells the subject not to pretend they can't act and to shake hands - they need to treat the singer like their mother. The repetition makes it clear that there is a point to be made, that something needs to be addressed, and that the subject has been acting incorrectly. The second verse is more of the same. The singer insists the subject tells them the truth, that they look them in the eye and be honest, and that the singer is like their mother - implying that the subject should respect them in some way.
The bridge is a bit more opaque. It asks, "Who's got it figured out?" and then tells the subject to play dumb, play dead, play straight, and to manipulate. The repetition of "manipulate" sounds sinister and dark, and overall, the lyric suggests there's a sense of manipulation and power dynamics at play in their relationship. The song's ending is just as confrontational as the beginning, with a repeated lyric telling the subject to "tryin' to manipulate."
Line by Line Meaning
Don't act like you can't act
Stand up like a man
I always think you do it
No need to pretend, I know you have the capability
You better learn to shake hands
It's time to make peace and come together
Treat me like your mother
Show respect and honor towards me like you would to your mother
You came up, too late
You missed the opportunity to make a difference or an impact
To do a thing
You didn't take any action, even though you had the chance
Come on look me in the eye
Be honest and straightforward with me, don't hide behind lies
You wanna try to tell a lie
You're tempted to deceive, but it won't work
I'll bet you can't and you know why?
I can see right through you, just like your mother can
I'm just like your mother
I care for you and want what's best for you, like your mother would
Play dumb, play dead, play straight
You're trying to manipulate the situation by pretending not to know anything
Who's got it figured out?
Who really knows the right way to handle this?
(Play dumb, play dead, play straight)
Don't pretend to be ignorant, lifeless, or honest if you're really not
Time to manipulate
It's not okay to use deception to achieve your goals
Am I too, Am I late
Have I missed the chance to make a difference too?
Who's got it figured out Left right, left right got it figured out
Some people act like they know what to do, but it's not that simple
Stand up like a man
Be courageous and take responsibility for your actions
You blink when you breathe and you breathe when you lie
Your body language gives you away when you're being dishonest
Who's got it figured out, play straight
Let's be honest and straightforward in our interactions
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DEAN FERTITA, JACK LAWRENCE, ALISON MOSSHART, JACK WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind