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.
Help Me Stranger
The Raconteurs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you can call me anytime
These sixteen strings we're strumming
They will back up every line, every line, every line
If you call me I'll come running
And you can call me anytime
And these sixteen strings we're strumming
There's a motivation about you
That moves me when we're apart
It agitates my affection
And it wants to break my heart
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
It's not essential that I feel you
But it's a sensitive device
I'm reverential when I hear you
I genuflect to your advice
Well, I wish I had the words
And I want those words to rhyme
And I wish I had the nerve
'Cause I sure don't have the time
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
Brother can you spare the time?
Brother can you spare the time?
Brother can you spare the time?
The lyrics of The Raconteurs' song "Help Me Stranger" convey a sense of longing and vulnerability. The singer is reaching out to someone, anyone, for help getting their mind off of something that is weighing heavily on them. The repeated line "If you call me I'll come running" emphasizes the desperation for assistance, and the use of the sixteen strings being strummed as a backing emphasizes the importance of music as a coping mechanism for the singer.
The second verse adds a layer of complexity to the emotions expressed, as the singer admits that they don't necessarily need the person they are reaching out to, but their influence on them is significant nonetheless. The reference to the sensitivity of the device connects the idea of music as a coping mechanism with the emotional connection between two individuals. The final two verses express the singer's desire for the right words and the courage to express themselves fully, but the urgency of the situation and lack of time make this difficult.
Overall, the lyrics of "Help Me Stranger" express a sense of vulnerability and desperation, with music and emotional connections serving as the tools to find relief.
Line by Line Meaning
If you call me I'll come running
I am willing to come and help you whenever you need me.
And you can call me anytime
You have my number, so please do not hesitate to contact me when you need me.
These sixteen strings we're strumming
We are playing some music with our guitars.
They will back up every line, every line, every line
Our guitars will support and enhance every lyric and every verse of our music.
There's a motivation about you
Your presence inspires me and keeps me going.
That moves me when we're apart
I still feel the effect of your presence even when we are not together.
It agitates my affection
My feelings towards you are disturbed and unsettled.
And it wants to break my heart
This situation is putting me at emotional risk and could potentially hurt me.
Help me, stranger
I need someone to assist me, even if it is someone I do not know well.
Help me get it off my mind
I want to move on from this troubling situation and need help doing so.
Get me back on my feet
I need help to regain my footing and feel secure again.
Brother, can you spare the time?
I am reaching out for help and support, even from someone who is not necessarily my brother.
It's not essential that I feel you
I do not need to physically sense you in order for you to affect me emotionally.
But it's a sensitive device
My emotions are easily triggered and affected by external circumstances.
I'm reverential when I hear you
I have a great amount of respect and admiration for you.
I genuflect to your advice
I am willing to follow your guidance and take your advice seriously.
Well, I wish I had the words
I am struggling to find the right words to express myself.
And I want those words to rhyme
I am hoping that my lyrics will sound poetic and flow well.
And I wish I had the nerve
I am lacking the courage to say what I really need to say.
'Cause I sure don't have the time
I am feeling overwhelmed by life and do not have enough time to deal with everything.
Brother can you spare the time?
I am asking for help and support, even if it means taking some time out of your day.
Brother can you spare the time?
I am still reaching out for help and support, even as the song comes to an end.
Brother can you spare the time?
Yet again, I am emphasizing my need for assistance and support from others.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brendan Benson, Jack White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ix Chel
Intro]
If you call me I'll come running
And you can call me anytime
These sixteen strings we're strumming
They will back up every line, every line, every line
[Verse 1]
If you call me I'll come running
And you can call me anytime
And these sixteen strings we're strumming
They will back up every line
[Verse 2]
There's a motivation about you
That moves me when we're apart
It agitates my affection
And it wants to break my heart
[Chorus]
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
[Verse 3]
It's not essential that I feel you
But it's a sensitive device
I'm reverential when I hear you
I genuflect to your advice
[Verse 4]
Well, I wish I had the words
And I want those words to rhyme
And I wish I had the nerve
'Cause I sure don't have the time
[Chorus]
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
Help me, stranger
Help me get it off my mind
Get me back on my feet
Brother, can you spare the time?
[Outro]
Brother can you spare the time?
Brother can you spare the time?
Brother can you spare the time?
Fender
This is awesome! That Acoustasonic is 🔥🔥🔥
Benoxity RBLX
I expected anything but comment from official fender haha
MrKaden121
Fender really lmao
Had Matter
Hehehe. I didn't see that guitar picking itself.
otavio04
that opnion might be a little biased ngl
Swapnil Saoji
This comment be like that Obama giving Obama medal meme
Walter Montiel
Raconteurs and Black Keys releasing singles side by side, trying to revive rock music from the soulless zombies that have taken it over. So beautiful I could cry.
J
Where in the hell have I been?!?
Micah Buzan ANIMATION
Black Keys is a White Stripes cover band
Fabian Ceuterickx
Don't forget Royal Blood 😉