Sixteen Saltines
Jack White Lyrics
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And the boy's number's there in magic marker
I'm hungry and the hunger will linger
I eat sixteen saltine crackers then I lick my fingers
Well every morning I deliver the news
Black hat white shoes and I'm red all over
She's got a big mailbox, that she puts up front
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
If I get busy then I couldn't care less what you do
But when I'm by myself I think of nothing else
Than if a boy just might be getting through and touching you
Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat
Jumpin' and weaving, I'm talking and laughing as we float
I hear a whistle, that's how I know she's home
Lipstick, eyelash, broke mirror, broken home
Force fed, force mixed 'till I drop dead
You can't defeat her, when you meet her you'll be what I said
And Lord knows there's a method to her madness
Bustin' those jokes as I float in a sea of sadness
She doesn't know but when she's gonna sit and drink up a few
I'm sure she's drinkin too, but wondering what for and who
And I'm solo rollin'. I'm one side off the boat.
Looking out, throwing up, a lifesaver down my throat
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
The song Sixteen Saltines by Jack White is about a girl who seems to have a carefree attitude towards life, while the singer is struggling with his own hunger and insecurity. The lyrics describe the girl as having stickers on her locker and a list of boys' numbers written in magic marker, implying that she is popular and unattainable. Meanwhile, the singer is hungry, and his hunger will continue to linger. He eats sixteen saltine crackers and licks his fingers, perhaps to satisfy his hunger or to assert control in some way.
The song continues with the singer delivering the news every morning, dressed in black and white with a red stain on his clothes. The girl has a big mailbox, and she puts up with garbage in and garbage out, implying that she accepts anything that comes her way. The singer is envious of the boy who might be touching her, thinking of nothing else when he's alone. Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat, representing how the girl is careless and willing to risk everything for thrills.
The song ends with the singer throwing up a lifesaver down his throat, hinting at his own struggle to survive in a sea of sadness. The repeated chorus of "who's jealous of who" highlights the tension and jealousy between the singer and the girl, as well as the larger societal context that breeds jealousy and competition.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got stickers on her locker
She has decorated her locker with stickers.
And the boy's number's there in magic marker
She has written a boy's phone number on her locker using magic marker.
I'm hungry and the hunger will linger
I am currently hungry and the feeling of hunger will not go away soon.
I eat sixteen saltine crackers then I lick my fingers
To satisfy my hunger, I eat sixteen saltine crackers and then lick my fingers clean.
Well every morning I deliver the news
Every morning, I am responsible for delivering the news.
Black hat white shoes and I'm red all over
I am wearing a black hat and white shoes, and I am blushing with embarrassment.
She's got a big mailbox, that she puts up front
She has a large mailbox that she places in front of her house.
Garbage in, garbage out, she's getting what she wants
She is getting what she desires, but it is of low quality or value.
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
I am questioning who is envious of whom (or who is jealous in general).
If I get busy then I couldn't care less what you do
If I am occupied, I would have no concern about what you are doing.
But when I'm by myself I think of nothing else
When I am alone, I cannot stop thinking about one thing.
Than if a boy just might be getting through and touching you
I am thinking about the possibility of a boy communicating and connecting with you in a certain way.
Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat
Wearing high-heeled shoes can damage a lifeboat.
Jumpin' and weaving, I'm talking and laughing as we float
I am enjoying myself while jumping and weaving on the floating lifeboat.
I hear a whistle, that's how I know she's home
The sound of a whistle indicates that she has arrived home.
Lipstick, eyelash, broke mirror, broken home
She wears makeup and has a broken mirror, which reflects a troubled or unhappy home life.
Force fed, force mixed 'till I drop dead
I am being forced to consume something until I can no longer continue.
You can't defeat her, when you meet her you'll be what I said
She is a formidable opponent, and if you confront her, you will become what I have warned you about.
And Lord knows there's a method to her madness
There is a reason and strategy behind her seeming insanity.
Bustin' those jokes as I float in a sea of sadness
She is making jokes while I am struggling with deep sadness.
She doesn't know but when she's gonna sit and drink up a few
She is unaware that when she sits down to have a few drinks.
I'm sure she's drinkin too, but wondering what for and who
I am certain that she is also drinking, but questioning the reason and the company she keeps.
And I'm solo rollin'. I'm one side off the boat.
I am alone and unbalanced on the boat, one side being lower than the other.
Looking out, throwing up, a lifesaver down my throat
I feel sick while looking outside, and I try to alleviate it by holding a lifesaver in my mouth.
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
I am still wondering who is experiencing feelings of envy or jealousy towards whom.
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
I am again contemplating the same idea of who is jealous of whom.
Who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous who's jealous of who?
I still cannot stop thinking about who is feeling jealous or envious towards whom.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN ANTHONY WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kingdavid7516
I'm sure plenty of people are trying to figure out what this music video means, or just want to know why it's so messed up and dark. Well, I was humming along the lyrics in my head and watching the video and I think I have it figured out. Of course, I could be completely wrong, but I think the interpretations of this being about his ex-wife make no sense and what's left to explain the video? Seriously, if anyone has any suggestions - backed up or not - let me know. Well here it goes:
So I remember reading somewhere that Jack White said he asked his daughter what she wanted to eat and she said, "sixteen saltines". There's the title right there. I think this is key to the entire song, his daughter. Maybe the "sixteen" triggered a thought of her growing up to that age, but for whatever reason it's about the fear of her growing up and her going through that phase and possibly drifting apart, but he'd still care and love her.
She's got stickers on her locker, and the boy's number's there in magic marker. She's attracted to boys, and his number is in "magic marker", secret. He can't control what happens in school.
Well every morning I deliver the news, black hat, white shoes and I'm red all over. Sounds like he's describing himself.
She's got a pink mailbox that she puts up front, garbage in, garbage out, she's getting what she wants. Promiscuous sex.
If I get busy then I couldn't care less what you do, but when I'm by myself, I think of nothing else than if a boy just might be getting through and touching you. He likes to think that he's more progressive and less hypocritical than previous generations of parents and knows that they'll have sex regardless, and it's probably best if he doesn't drive her away from himself and into a guy's arms.
Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat, drifting away when I'm talking and laughing as we float. A (mostly teenage girl) shoe is destroying a "lifeboat", a failed attempt at preserving her innocence. They're drifting further apart and he can't really do anything but talk about it and try and laugh it off, but teenagers will rebel, even against "cool dads".
I hear her whistle, that's how I know she's home. Lipstick, eyelash, broke mirror, broken home. He only knows she's there indirectly, like they're out of touch. Now she dresses up like a woman (or what she thinks one is), and there's a broke mirror which is almost always used to symbolized a split personality, especially in old movies that Jack likes so much. Typical hormonal teenager stuff. But maybe she's like this because of the broken home he raised her in.
She doesn't know, but when she's gone I drink her perfume. I'm sure she's drinkin' too, but why, where and what and for who? He goes through her stuff to try and understand her. Why does she have to go out and drink for no reason?
Now finally for the video - a bunch of scary kids doing horrible things: smashing things, drinking Robitussin to get high (is there something stupid kids can't get high on?), tumultuous relationship with the "milkshake" couple, suicidal behavior, tattoos, premature death, and violence. Meanwhile, Jack is powerless to do anything. Truly a father's worst nightmare.
@wkandle
This is my #4 on fave Jack white songs. My top ten are
1-Steady as she goes-Raconteurs
2-Icky Thump-White Stripes
3-Blue Blood Blues-Dead Weather
4-This song
5-Lazaretto
6-Seven Nation Army-White Stripes
7-Broken Boy Soldier-The Raconteurs
8-That Black Bat Licorice
9-Just One Drink
10-You Don't Understand Me-The Raconteurs
@kingdavid7516
I'm sure plenty of people are trying to figure out what this music video means, or just want to know why it's so messed up and dark. Well, I was humming along the lyrics in my head and watching the video and I think I have it figured out. Of course, I could be completely wrong, but I think the interpretations of this being about his ex-wife make no sense and what's left to explain the video? Seriously, if anyone has any suggestions - backed up or not - let me know. Well here it goes:
So I remember reading somewhere that Jack White said he asked his daughter what she wanted to eat and she said, "sixteen saltines". There's the title right there. I think this is key to the entire song, his daughter. Maybe the "sixteen" triggered a thought of her growing up to that age, but for whatever reason it's about the fear of her growing up and her going through that phase and possibly drifting apart, but he'd still care and love her.
She's got stickers on her locker, and the boy's number's there in magic marker. She's attracted to boys, and his number is in "magic marker", secret. He can't control what happens in school.
Well every morning I deliver the news, black hat, white shoes and I'm red all over. Sounds like he's describing himself.
She's got a pink mailbox that she puts up front, garbage in, garbage out, she's getting what she wants. Promiscuous sex.
If I get busy then I couldn't care less what you do, but when I'm by myself, I think of nothing else than if a boy just might be getting through and touching you. He likes to think that he's more progressive and less hypocritical than previous generations of parents and knows that they'll have sex regardless, and it's probably best if he doesn't drive her away from himself and into a guy's arms.
Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat, drifting away when I'm talking and laughing as we float. A (mostly teenage girl) shoe is destroying a "lifeboat", a failed attempt at preserving her innocence. They're drifting further apart and he can't really do anything but talk about it and try and laugh it off, but teenagers will rebel, even against "cool dads".
I hear her whistle, that's how I know she's home. Lipstick, eyelash, broke mirror, broken home. He only knows she's there indirectly, like they're out of touch. Now she dresses up like a woman (or what she thinks one is), and there's a broke mirror which is almost always used to symbolized a split personality, especially in old movies that Jack likes so much. Typical hormonal teenager stuff. But maybe she's like this because of the broken home he raised her in.
She doesn't know, but when she's gone I drink her perfume. I'm sure she's drinkin' too, but why, where and what and for who? He goes through her stuff to try and understand her. Why does she have to go out and drink for no reason?
Now finally for the video - a bunch of scary kids doing horrible things: smashing things, drinking Robitussin to get high (is there something stupid kids can't get high on?), tumultuous relationship with the "milkshake" couple, suicidal behavior, tattoos, premature death, and violence. Meanwhile, Jack is powerless to do anything. Truly a father's worst nightmare.
@Marika-dv8wm
+No Views this is so good man, great job!
@darthkarthus2095
This is an unbelievable job of analysis and critical thinking. Even if your wrong, your a genius.
@CahRazyLady
nailed it
@athenabackmann1330
¿Algún español que me lo traduzca? xdd lo agradecería mucho.
@PYROTECHNICRAT
deep shit man
@S4vingErin
If I don't see Jack perform this live, my life will never be complete.
@micasd8316
He did!
@Jenniferyoudonthavetoknowokay
I cannot get enough of this song
@chefgiovanni
The talent here is overwhelming.