The band has released three albums, 2006's "Broken Boy Soldiers", 2008's Consolers of the Lonely and 2019's Help Us Stranger.
Dean Fertita from The Waxwings did live keyboards for the band in 2006; he also played in Brendan Benson's band and is now touring with Queens Of The Stone Age, and is a member of White and Lawrence's band The Dead Weather.
The band had to change their name in Australia, since there already was a band named The Raconteurs there. The band is referred to as The Saboteurs in Australia.
Desire
The Raconteurs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just domination, pesky old lust. [?]
Don't know if that's true,
That can't be all that we do...
Now get your golden sections and your ---[?/ cute little curls] ,
Heat up those erections, find those ---[?],
De-si-i-i-i-i-ire (so insatiable),
Desii-iiire (it's only natural),
--- [?/ They'll make you follow me home],
No, Penetration isn't all it's about...
That's just the ---[?/ answers religions will arouse],
I need something more to feel,
--- [?/ And I've gone mission resumed],
Now lubricate those dildos, ----- [???],
We got --- [???],
Desire (biological),
De-si-i-i-i-ire (irrepressible),
Desii-ire (psychosexual),
It simply won't let me be;
It gets so easy to see...
I'm talking about ---[???], adults and closed doors,
Not for pornography or, breaking any laws,
A little spice, little fun,
You don't have to tell anyone...
Now time to rise those ---[???], secrete, and ---[???],
Spasms, pulses, orgasms, and glandular things,
Desire (biological),
De-si-i-i-i-ire (it's irrepressible),
Desii-ire (???),
Once I see ya sensin' that always leaves me undone...
Ohhh--
The Raconteurs' song "Desire" captures the human instinct for desire, lust, and sexual attraction. The lyrics start by questioning the validity of one's capability for love and the societal perception that men are only capable of desire and domination. However, the singer does not believe that it is the only thing that humans are capable of. The lyrics then move on to capture the physical and psychological aspect of desire. The song talks about the excitement created by sexual attraction and the many ways in which humans try to fulfill their desire. The lyrics move from masturbation to sex toys, highlighting different desires and ways to fulfill them. The mention of 'secrete' and 'orgasms' add to the lyrical portrayal of a strong desire. The song finishes up with the idea that desire is a natural and an irrepressible element that is always present within a human being.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 2006 in the album 'Broken Boy Soldier'. The song made it to the height of #28 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Furthermore, the song was included in the soundtrack of the 2007 movie ‘Fast Track’. ‘Desire’ is one of the Raconteurs' most popular songs, and its lyrical content is one of the reasons for its success. Another fun fact is that the song has been performed by many artists, including Pearl Jam, who covered ‘Desire’ in one of their live performances. Additionally, the song's music video features the band's lead vocalist, Jack White, and actress Brooke Shields, which further amplified the song's reach among different audiences worldwide.
In terms of the song’s lyrics, there are several lines with incomplete sentences, which come off as vague in nature. It allows the listener to create their interpretation and personal meaning, broadening the lyrical reach of the song. There is also a strong emphasis on the religious aspect of desire, as the song talks about how answers religions will arouse. The mention of sex toys is also somewhat unusual, as it is not a topic often brought up by mainstream artists. Lastly, the song's overall feel, with its catchy tune and lyrics about desire, speaks to the innate desire in human nature.
Chords (Capo on 2nd fret)
Verse: G, C, G, D
Chorus: Em, D, C, G, D
Line by Line Meaning
Some say a man isn't capable of love;
There is a belief that men are not capable of love.
Just domination, pesky old lust. [?]
The belief is that men are driven only by a desire to dominate and have sex.
Don't know if that's true,
The singer is unsure if the belief is true.
That can't be all that we do...
The singer thinks there must be more to men than just domination and lust.
Now get your golden sections and your ---[?/ cute little curls] ,
The singer is urging the listener to prepare themselves for sexual activity.
Heat up those erections, find those ---[?],
The singer is being explicit in their instructions for sexual activity.
Desiiire (biological),
The singer is singing about the natural biological desire for sex.
De-si-i-i-i-i-ire (so insatiable),
The desire for sex is so overwhelming that it cannot easily be satisfied.
Desii-iiire (it's only natural),
Once again, the singer emphasizes that the desire for sex is a natural biological urge.
--- [?/ They'll make you follow me home],
It is unclear what this line is supposed to mean.
No, Penetration isn't all it's about...
The singer is suggesting that there is more to sex than just physical penetration.
That's just the ---[?/ answers religions will arouse],
There are religious attitudes towards sexual activity that tend to focus on the physical act of penetration.
I need something more to feel,
The singer is expressing the need for emotional fulfillment through sex.
And I've gone mission resumed,
It is unclear what this line means.
Now lubricate those dildos, ----- [???],
The singer is giving more explicit instructions for sexual activity.
We got --- [???],
It is unclear what this line means.
Desire (biological),
Once again, the singer is singing about the natural biological desire for sex.
De-si-i-i-i-ire (irrepressible),
The desire is so strong that it cannot easily be repressed or ignored.
Desii-ire (psychosexual),
The desire for sex has a psychological component to it.
It simply won't let me be;
The singer is saying that the desire for sex is always present and cannot be ignored.
It gets so easy to see...
The singer is suggesting that sexual desire can be seen in a person's behavior or demeanor.
I'm talking about ---[???], adults and closed doors,
The singer is talking about sex between consenting adults in private.
Not for pornography or, breaking any laws,
The singer is emphasizing that the sexual activity they are singing about is done in a legal, non-pornographic context.
A little spice, little fun,
The sexual activity the singer is singing about is meant to be enjoyable and exciting.
You don't have to tell anyone...
The singer is emphasizing the private, intimate nature of the sexual activity they are singing about.
Now time to rise those ---[???], secrete, and ---[???],
The singer is once again being explicit in their instructions for sexual activity.
Spasms, pulses, orgasms, and glandular things,
The singer is describing the physical sensations associated with sexual activity.
Desire (biological),
The natural biological urge for sex is once again being emphasized.
De-si-i-i-i-ire (it's irrepressible),
The desire for sex is so strong that it cannot easily be repressed or ignored.
Desii-ire (???),
It is unclear what this line means.
Once I see ya sensin' that always leaves me undone...
The singer is describing how they are affected by someone else's sexual behavior or desire.
Ohhh--
This is likely just an expression of pleasure or excitement.
Contributed by Tyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robertomunoz4060
I download this song in Ares in 2005, i loved this song, even if it wasn't Jack White Raconteurs, lost it in my ipod and never find it again. A few days back I remind the guitar intro and try to find it until today. Thank you so much!
@vitormk760
es un temazo pero después de 10 años todavía sigo sin la más mínima idea de quien es el artista
@Fnchy
I've had this in my collection for years and thought it was Jack White's Raconteurs but with a guest singer, always thought he sounded a bit like Nick Cave. I love the song, I'd love to know who it actually is!
@TravellingWithCarolina
I was looking for this song for YEARS!! thanks. Old times on Ares lol
@munkonthehill
Yaaaasssss, downloaded this in Napster in the 90’s early 2000’s I think. Been looking for it for years ❤❤❤❤
@vitormk760
I'd also been looking for it for years, until I found an old CD I had burned myself with some songs, among them this one. I simply couldn't keep it only for myself!
@weynon_backpacker
The fact that there are only 2 of these studio recordings known ("Blackjack Illywhack" and this one) suggests that perhaps someone was planning to release this as a single w/ a b-side and it got shelved, then leaked.
@carolinelucia7455
Thank you for finding this!!!! Been looking for this for years!!!
@AdamEmerson1420
One of internet's music biggest mysteries is... who is this.
@Yourismouter
great song! I remember going crazy trying to find the lyrics when I got this on limewire and then thinking, this can't be raconteurs must be some other band whose song got on limewire lol nice you not only put this here but the lyrics. great song!