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.
I Can't Hear You
The Dead Weather Lyrics
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You're talking to yourself
And what you're used to
It don't work on no one else
I'm gonna teach you
And keep you for myself
Gonna take you by the hand
So I can hear you
I wanna hear you
I can't say so
Naive, be so naive
You're stashing money
There're rubies up your sleeve
I'm gonna teach you
You're never gonna leave
I'm gonna take you by the hand
Gonna walk you to my house
So I can hear you
I wanna hear you
I can't hear you
You're talking to yourself
And what you're used to
It don't work on no one else
I wanna teach you
Keep you for myself
Gonna take you by the hand
I'm gonna walk you to my house
So I can hear you
I wanna hear you
I wanna hear you
I wanna hear you
I wanna hear you
I wanna hear you
The Dead Weather's song "I Can't Hear You" is a hauntingly seductive tune that speaks to the desire for control and possession over someone else's voice. The lyrics suggest that the singer is frustrated with the fact that the other person is talking to themselves and that their usual methods of communication don't work on anyone else. The singer wants to "teach" the other person and "keep [them] for [themselves]." They want to take them by the hand and lead them to their house so they can "hear" them.
The repeated line "I can't hear you" may represent a struggle for control in the relationship. The singer wants to be the one who hears the other person's thoughts, wants, and needs, but they are not getting that from the other person. The line "what you're used to, it don't work on no one else" suggests that the other person is stuck in their ways of communicating and that it's not successful with anyone else.
The lyrics become more sinister as the song goes on. The line "you're stashing money, there're rubies up your sleeve" could suggest that the singer is aware of the other person's secrets and is using that knowledge as a way to control them. The repeated lines "I wanna hear you" become almost obsessive, as if the singer is desperate to have complete control over the other person's voice.
Overall, "I Can't Hear You" is a chilling tale of possession and control over someone's voice and thoughts.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't hear you
I am unable to understand or comprehend what you are saying
You're talking to yourself
You are engaging in monologue or thinking aloud without expecting or requiring any response from another person
And what you're used to
Your habitual or customary behavior and actions
It don't work on no one else
It does not produce the desired results when applied to others
I'm gonna teach you
I will provide you with knowledge, skills, and guidance
And keep you for myself
I want to possess and control you for my own benefit or enjoyment
Gonna take you by the hand
I will lead you or guide you physically
And walk you to my house
I want to bring you into my private space
So I can hear you
To listen to and understand what you have to say
I wanna hear you
I desire to listen to and comprehend your thoughts and ideas
I can't say so
I cannot disclose or admit something
Naive, be so naive
To be innocent or gullible and lack experience or wisdom
You're stashing money
You are hiding or saving money in a secretive manner
There're rubies up your sleeve
You possess valuable and hidden assets or resources
You're never gonna leave
I will not allow you to escape or leave me
I wanna hear you
I desire to listen to and comprehend your thoughts and ideas
I wanna hear you
I desire to listen to and comprehend your thoughts and ideas
I wanna hear you
I desire to listen to and comprehend your thoughts and ideas
I wanna hear you
I desire to listen to and comprehend your thoughts and ideas
I wanna hear you
I desire to listen to and comprehend your thoughts and ideas
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JACK LAWRENCE, JACK WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind