After releasing several singles and three albums within the Detroit independent music underground, The White Stripes rose to prominence in 2002, as part of the garage rock revival scene. Their successful albums White Blood Cells and Elephant drew them attention from a large variety of media outlets in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The White Stripes used a low-fidelity, do-it-yourself approach to writing and recording. Their music features a melding of punk and blues influences and a raw simplicity of composition, arrangement, and performance. The duo is also noted for their fashion and design aesthetic which features a simple color scheme of red, white, and black.
The White Stripes' discography consists of six studio albums, two extended plays (EP), one video album, 26 singles and fourteen music videos. The band has sold approximately 12 million albums worldwide, 2 million in the US alone, and their latest three albums have each won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.
On February 2, 2011, the band announced on their website that they had disbanded.
Official band website: www.whitestripes.com
300mph Torrential Outpour Blues
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gettin' hard on myself, sittin' in my easy chair
Well, there's three people in the mirror, and I'm wonderin' which one of them I should choose
Well, I can't keep from laughin', spittin' out these 300 mile per hour outpour blues
I'm breakin' my teeth off tryin' to bite my lip
There's all kinds of red-headed women that I ain't supposed to kiss
And it's that color which never fails to turn me blue
I have a woman, says come and watch me bleed
And I'm wonderin' just how I can do that and still give her everything that she needs
Well, there's three people in my head that have the answer, and one of them's got to be you
But you're holding tight to it - the answer
Singin' these three hundred mile per hour outpour blues
Put on gloves, a tied scarf and wrap up warm on this winter night
Every time you get defensive you're just looking for a fight
It's safe to sing somebody out there's got a problem with almost anything you'll do
Well, next time they stab you don't fight back just play the victim instead of playin' the fool
And the roads are covered with a million little molecules
Of cigarette ashes, and the school floors are covered with pieces of pencil eraser, too
Well, sooner or later the ground's gonna be holdin' all of my ashes, too
But I can't help but wonder if after I'm gone, will I still have these three hundred mile per
Hour, finger-breaking, no-answers-makin', battered-dirty-hands, bee-stung and busted-up
Empty-cup torrential outpour blues?
One thing's for sure in that graveyard: I'm gonna have the shiniest pair of shoes
The song "300mph Torrential Outpour Blues" by The White Stripes is a reflection of the turmoil and self-doubt that the singer is experiencing. The first verse describes the singer's struggle with bringing back the ghosts of the past, which are no longer there. He is hard on himself and questioning his own identity. The use of mirrors represents his inner psychological conflict. The singer also reveals his tendency to laugh as a coping mechanism when he is anxious or uncomfortable.
The second verse highlights the singer's struggle with temptation and self-control. He is trying to resist the temptation to kiss red-headed women. The color red, which represents passion and desire, is bringing out conflicting emotions in him. He is swallowing his emotions and hoping to use them as a tool to scare others, including his partner. However, he is aware that his partner's needs may not align with his and is struggling to keep balance in his relationship.
The third verse discusses the theme of victimhood and acceptance. The singer urges others to stop being defensive and looking for a fight. Instead, he suggests that it's better to play the victim than to retaliate and play the fool. He then reflects on his own mortality and wonders if he will still carry the same anxieties and emotions after he is gone. The song ends on a somewhat bittersweet note, with the singer acknowledging that he will have shiny shoes when he is buried.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm bringing back ghosts that are no longer there
I'm dwelling on the past, trying to revive memories that are better left forgotten.
I'm gettin' hard on myself, sittin' in my easy chair
I'm being too critical of myself and it's making me feel uncomfortable and restless.
Well, there's three people in the mirror, and I'm wonderin' which one of them I should choose
I'm struggling with my identity and trying to decide which version of myself to present to the world.
Well, I can't keep from laughin', spittin' out these 300 mile per hour outpour blues
I can't help but express my feelings of frustration and anxiety in a fast-paced, frenetic way.
I'm breakin' my teeth off tryin' to bite my lip
I'm struggling to keep my emotions in check, to the point where it's causing me physical pain.
There's all kinds of red-headed women that I ain't supposed to kiss
There are things in life that I desire, but I've been told I can't have them.
And it's that color which never fails to turn me blue
The things that I'm not allowed to have or do are causing me sadness and frustration.
So I just swallow it and hold on to it, and use it to scare the hell out of you
Instead of dealing with my negative emotions in a healthy way, I bottle them up and use them to intimidate others.
I have a woman, says come and watch me bleed
I have a partner who is asking me to witness her pain and vulnerability.
And I'm wonderin' just how I can do that and still give her everything that she needs
I'm struggling to balance my desire to support my partner with my own needs and limitations.
Well, there's three people in my head that have the answer, and one of them's got to be you
I'm seeking guidance and support from others, hoping that someone can help me make the right decision.
But you're holding tight to it - the answer
Despite my attempts to seek guidance, the person I'm relying on isn't giving me a clear answer.
Singin' these three hundred mile per hour outpour blues
I'm still expressing my frustration and anxiety in a frenzied, intense way.
Put on gloves, a tied scarf and wrap up warm on this winter night
I'm preparing myself for emotional hardship or confrontation.
Every time you get defensive you're just looking for a fight
I tend to be combative and argumentative when people challenge me or criticize me.
It's safe to sing somebody out there's got a problem with almost anything you'll do
No matter what actions I take, there will always be people who are critical of me.
Well, next time they stab you don't fight back just play the victim instead of playin' the fool
In order to avoid drama and conflict, it may be better to present myself as a victim instead of trying to defend myself.
And the roads are covered with a million little molecules
The world is full of small, insignificant details that add up to make life beautiful and complex.
Of cigarette ashes, and the school floors are covered with pieces of pencil eraser, too
Even the most mundane objects and experiences can hold meaning and significance.
Well, sooner or later the ground's gonna be holdin' all of my ashes, too
Eventually, I will die and my physical body will become a part of nature.
But I can't help but wonder if after I'm gone, will I still have these three hundred mile per Hour, finger-breaking, no-answers-makin', battered-dirty-hands, bee-stung and busted-up Empty-cup torrential outpour blues?
I'm questioning whether my legacy will be the intense, destructive emotions that I'm currently struggling with.
One thing's for sure in that graveyard: I'm gonna have the shiniest pair of shoes
In the end, the things that seem important to me now won't matter, and even my shoes will be polished to no avail.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robyn
on Candy Cane Children
The meaning of this song is basically saying the older you get, the less fun Christmas becomes usually do to adulthood. The lines "don't you know your name?...", probably refers to the adults telling kids to grow up as if they're saying "Do you know how old you are? You're getting too old for this stuff." Probably why he put the lines "nobody knows how to talk to children". Also, he puts the lines "think again" after a thought of one of the kids thinking of wishing to participate in Christmas activities. As if they're thinking "Yeah I probably AM too old for this.." "364 more tears girl" the sadness of getting older. Not participating feels like a missed opportunity and causes even more sadness..