The recorded sound is produced by two guitars playing almost in unison, and each digitally combined with their own signal an octave lower. Live, the sound is produced by a bass-rich guitar tone, used in combination with a whammy pedal to create the heavily metallic sounding breaks of the song ("How dare you, how old are you now anyway" and "get behind me, get behind me now anyway".)
The single comes in three editions, each with different additional tracks. All three covers feature two people dressed up as The White Stripes, but are noticeably different people. The first CD and the 7" feature the couple in the same order as "Get Behind Me Satan", with 'Jack' on the right. The second CD version features 'Jack' on the left.
In an NPR interview, Jack White referred to "Blue Orchid" as the song that saved the album. He has denied that the song relates to the ending of his relationship with Renée Zellweger.
The video for "Blue Orchid" was on Yahoo!'s Top Twenty Scariest Music Videos of all Time, charting at number 13. It features Karen Elson, a model who would marry Jack White soon after the shoot. The video, which was directed by Floria Sigismondi, ends with a horse, its hooves raised in the air, about to stomp on Elson, but just before the hooves land on her, the video quickly goes black, ending.
"Blue Orchid" has been remixed by High Contrast on the album "Fabric Live 25", and is the first track on disc 2 of the album. It features the main guitar riff accompanied by a much more Drum and Bass inspired backing drum beat. The vocals from the song, "You took a white orchid, you took a white orchid and turned it blue" repeated at various points throughout the track.
The song is used as the theme song for the Australian Radio Show Wil & Lehmo on Triple M.
Blue Orchid
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got a reaction didn't, you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
Something better than nothing
Something better than nothing, it's giving up
We all need to do something
Try and keep the truth from showing up
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
You're given a flower
But I guess that there's just no pleasing you
Your lips tastes sour
But you think that it's just me teasing you
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
The lyrics in "Blue Orchid" by The White Stripes seem to be about the complexities of relationships and the struggle to communicate effectively. The opening lines suggest that someone has received a strong emotional response, possibly from someone they care about. The second verse speaks of something better than nothing, possibly suggesting that even if the communication wasn't perfect, it's still better than nothing. The line "Try to keep the truth from showing up" suggests that the person is struggling to express themselves honestly.
The chorus is the most confrontational part of the song, with the lyrics "How dare you, how old are you now, anyway?" implying that some kind of betrayal has taken place. The idea of the white orchid turning blue speaks to the idea of something pure (white orchid) being altered or corrupted (turned blue). The final lines of the chorus, "You're given a flower, but I guess that there's just no pleasing you" suggests that despite the effort of one party, the other remains ungrateful or unsatisfied.
The final verse seems to be a plea for physical distance, with the lines "Get behind me now, anyway" repeating multiple times. It's possible that the singer is trying to put some distance between themselves and the other person in order to gain clarity and perspective on the situation.
Overall, "Blue Orchid" seems to be a song about the difficulties of communication and the frustration that can arise in relationships when one party feels as though their efforts are not appreciated or reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a reaction
You provoked a response
You got a reaction didn't, you?
You intended to elicit a reaction, and you succeeded
You took a white orchid
You possessed a pure and delicate thing
You took a white orchid turned it blue
You corrupted something that was once beautiful
Something better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
Something better than nothing, it's giving up
Sometimes, settling for less is a form of surrender
We all need to do something
Everyone needs to take action
Try and keep the truth from showing up
Keeping secrets may be necessary to avoid unpleasant outcomes
How dare you
You are being disrespectful or insolent
How old are you now, anyway?
Your behavior suggests immaturity, so how old are you really?
You're given a flower
You received a gift or opportunity
But I guess that there's just no pleasing you
Even with blessings, you remain unsatisfied
Your lips tastes sour
Your words or actions are unpleasant
But you think that it's just me teasing you
You are oblivious to the effect you have on others
Get behind me
Stay out of my way
Get behind me now, anyway
Your presence is unwelcome, so leave
You got a reaction
Your actions prompted a response
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You achieved your goal of eliciting a reaction
You took a white orchid
You possessed something pure and unspoiled
You took a white orchid turned it blue
You defiled something that was once beautiful
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: John Anthony White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@muratcelik5928
You got a reaction
You got a reaction didn't, you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
Something better than nothing
Something better than nothing, it's giving up
We all need to do something
Try keep the truth from showing up
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
You're given a flower
But I guess there's just no pleasing you
Your lips tastes sour
But you think that it's just me teasing you
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
@Pride317
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
[Verse 2]
Something better than nothing
Something better than nothing, it's giving up
We all need to do something
Try to keep the truth from showing up
[Chorus 1]
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
[Verse 3]
You're given a flower
But I guess that there's just no pleasing you
Your lip tastes sour
But you think that it's just me teasing you
[Verse 1]
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
[Chorus 2]
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
[Verse 1]
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue
@OdysseusLightning
Been listening to this band since 1870. They never get old.
@mmedlen1
Since 04 but I’d love to hear the rsmconteurs 🥸🤠👀😄
@jimjams8688
Ah yes
1870
@jessharriman3254
Vampirism
@briandelgado4985
Saw them open up for Beethoven on the "playing the plaque" tour what a sick show!! 😫 😆 🤣
@pleasure_deelayer_not7768
😂🤣🤘🏽💯
@racingmonkey199
This guy has Some of the best guitar riffs ever
@pancon5
He really does.
@johnbelcher6282
Swiftt I literally just liked it because of your profile picture it's so cute
@DavidsRandomPlanet
Swiftt true