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.
Don't Bother Me
The Raconteurs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Don't bother me, bother me)
Your hidden agenda (don't bother me, bother me)
You ruthless rule bender (don't bother me, bother me)
Your surface duplicity (don't bother me, bother me)
It's all nothing new to me (don't bother me, bother me)
The way you look in the mirror (don't bother me, bother me)
All your clicking and swiping (don't bother me, bother me)
All your groping and griping (don't bother me, bother me)
Yeah!
The lack of your empathy (don't bother me, bother me)
Your "Who me?" fake apologies (don't bother me, bother me)
Your political science (don't bother me, bother me)
Your stupid island alliance (don't bother me, bother me)
Your squatting at my place (don't bother me, bother me)
Your grinning in my face (don't bother me, bother me)
You fake punk jacket liar (don't bother me, bother me)
Easy target, easy tiger (don't bother me, bother me)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Oh!
Your both sides of the old fence (don't bother me)
Your malicious compliance (don't bother me)
The surplus of your apathy
It don't bother me
It's all nothing new to me
It don't bother me
The song “Don’t Bother Me” by The Raconteurs has a self-explanatory title. The song is directed at someone who is bothersome and insincere, but despite their attempts to be irritating, the singer is unmoved. The song is composed to show introspective frustration with someone's character. The lyrics are filled with snarky commentary about the antagonistic character. The verses focus on multiple different aspects of the person's nature, including their insincerity and self-righteousness.
The song carries an almost erratic feeling, starting off with a languid guitar riff which quickly morphs into a fast-paced chorus with the lyrics “Don’t bother me, bother me”. The chorus of the song is repetitively layered, building up the annoyance so that the listener can get a sense of being overwhelmed by the nuisance. The bridge leads into an emphatic instrumental jam, which lends itself to the idea of the character finally being pushed to their breaking point.
Line by Line Meaning
Your hidden agenda (don't bother me, bother me)
I am not interested in your hidden motives or intentions, so leave me alone.
You ruthless rule bender (don't bother me, bother me)
Your willingness to bend or break rules without any remorse is not something I want to deal with, so don't bother me.
Your surface duplicity (don't bother me, bother me)
Your tendency to deceive others while pretending to be good or sincere is not something I want to engage with, so don't bother me.
It's all nothing new to me (don't bother me, bother me)
I have seen all these traits before in people, so your behavior does not impress or interest me, thus don't bother me.
The way you look in the mirror (don't bother me, bother me)
Your excessive self-adoration reflected in how you look at yourself in the mirror is not something I find appealing or worth my attention, so don't bother me.
You're your biggest admirer (don't bother me, bother me)
Your inflated sense of self-worth and egotism doesn't interest me, thus don't bother me.
All your clicking and swiping (don't bother me, bother me)
Your obsession with technology and social media to the point of mindless clicking and swiping is not something I want to partake in, so don't bother me.
All your groping and griping (don't bother me, bother me)
Your constant complaining and clinging onto things are not something I want to be around, thus don't bother me.
The lack of your empathy (don't bother me, bother me)
Your inability to feel or understand the emotions and needs of others is not something that appeals to me, thus don't bother me.
Your 'Who me?' fake apologies (don't bother me, bother me)
Your insincere apologies that are meant to save face or avoid consequences are not something I accept or want to hear, so don't bother me with them.
Your political science (don't bother me, bother me)
Your use of politics as a way to manipulate or control others is not something I want to engage with, so don't bother me.
Your stupid island alliance (don't bother me, bother me)
Your narrow-minded and exclusive group of friends and allies on your 'stupid island' is not something I want to be part of or support, thus don't bother me.
Your squatting at my place (don't bother me, bother me)
Your unwelcome and intrusive presence at my place is not something I appreciate or tolerate, thus don't bother me.
Your grinning in my face (don't bother me, bother me)
Your fake and insincere smile and demeanor toward me is not something I value or trust, thus don't bother me.
You fake punk jacket liar (don't bother me, bother me)
Your attempt to portray yourself as a punk or rebel with your jacket, but also being a liar, is not something I find appealing or credible, thus don't bother me.
Easy target, easy tiger (don't bother me, bother me)
You may think I am an easy target to manipulate or control, but I refuse to let you do so, thus don't bother me with your attempts.
Your both sides of the old fence (don't bother me)
Your tendency to change or switch sides on issues or people depending on your own interests or convenience is not something I find honorable or trustworthy, thus don't bother me.
Your malicious compliance (don't bother me)
Your tendency to follow rules or instructions without any regard for the spirit or consequences of them is not something I respect or appreciate, thus don't bother me.
The surplus of your apathy
Your excessive and uncaring attitude toward people and things is not something I want to be around or support.
It's all nothing new to me
All your negative traits and behaviors are not surprising or shocking to me, so I am not interested or impressed.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brendan Benson, John Anthony White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind