Well we're back in school again
And I don't really know anyone
I really want to be your friend
Cause I don't really know anyone

And the bus is pulling
Up to your house
I wish you could be sitting here
Next to me

I didn't see you at summer school
But I saw you at the corner store
And I don't want to break the rules
Cause I've broken them all before

But every time I see you
I wonder why
I don't break a couple rules
So that you'll notice me

Sister do you know my name?
I've heard it before but I want you to know

I got a funny feeling
That it's gonna work out
Cause now I see you sitting here
Next to me

Overall Meaning

The White Stripes' song "Sister" is about a young person going back to school and feeling like they don't fit in or know anyone. They express a desire to make friends and connect with others, particularly one person who they have noticed at school and at a local store. The singer is hesitant to break rules, but also wishes to be noticed by their desired friend. They ask if this friend, possibly a sister figure, knows their name and express an optimistic feeling that things may work out between them, as this person is now sitting next to them.

The song captures the feelings of loneliness, apprehension, and hope that often come with the start of a new school year or challenging social situations. The singer's longing for connection is relatable, and many people have likely experienced similar feelings at some point in their lives. The repeated reference to breaking rules suggests that this desire for connection is strong enough to make the singer consider taking risks in order to achieve it.

Line by Line Meaning

Well we're back in school again
The singer is returning to school after a break.

And I don't really know anyone
The singer doesn't have any friends at school.

I really want to be your friend
The singer wants to befriend a specific person.

Cause I don't really know anyone
The artist doesn't have any other potential friends.

And the bus is pulling
The artist is on a bus.

Up to your house
The bus is approaching the person the singer wants to befriend's house.

I wish you could be sitting here
The singer wants the person they like to be on the bus with them.

Next to me
The artist wants the person they like to sit beside them.

I didn't see you at summer school
The artist didn't see the person they like at summer school.

But I saw you at the corner store
The artist saw the person they like at a different location.

And I don't want to break the rules
The singer doesn't want to get in trouble.

Cause I've broken them all before
The artist has a history of breaking rules.

But every time I see you
The singer thinks about the person they like a lot.

I wonder why
The singer is questioning their feelings/behavior.

I don't break a couple rules
The singer is considering breaking rules for the person they like.

So that you'll notice me
The artist wants the person they like to pay attention to them.

Sister do you know my name?
The artist is addressing the person they like, asking if they know their name.

I've heard it before but I want you to know
The singer knows the person they like has heard their name, but they want the person to remember it.

I got a funny feeling
The singer is experiencing a positive emotion.

That it's gonna work out
The artist thinks things will work out with the person they like.

Cause now I see you sitting here
The person the artist likes is now sitting beside them.

Next to me
The person the artist likes is sitting beside them.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Robyn

on Candy Cane Children

The meaning of this song is basically saying the older you get, the less fun Christmas becomes usually do to adulthood. The lines "don't you know your name?...", probably refers to the adults telling kids to grow up as if they're saying "Do you know how old you are? You're getting too old for this stuff." Probably why he put the lines "nobody knows how to talk to children". Also, he puts the lines "think again" after a thought of one of the kids thinking of wishing to participate in Christmas activities. As if they're thinking "Yeah I probably AM too old for this.." "364 more tears girl" the sadness of getting older. Not participating feels like a missed opportunity and causes even more sadness..

just now