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
Cannon
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My door
Unlocked
I'm lookin'
At this sound
That chime out of nowhere
Yeah, nowhere
Whoo
Scratchin'
And burnin'
Yeah
I fought guns
Tanks
Cannon
Cannon
Yeah
Tell me who's that writin'
John the revelator
Tell me who's that writin'
John the revelator
Tell me who's that writin'
John the revelator
Wrote the book on the seven seas
Christ went down on Easter mornin'
Mary mother went down to see it
Gotta tell my disciples to meet me in Galilee
Who's writin'
John the revelator
Tell me who's that writin'
John the revelator
Tell me who's that writin'
John the revelator
Wrote the book on the seven seas
Hey
Whoo
Lord above
I command
I've been evil
Evil
Yeah
Evil
The White Stripes' song "Cannon" is a deeply introspective and haunting track that leaves a lot to interpretation. The song opens with a description of someone looking through an unlocked door, listening to a mysterious sound that seems to be coming from nowhere. The sound is described as "wheels turning, scratching, and burning," which could be interpreted as representing the inner turmoil of the singer's mind. The next lines of the song are some of the most powerful, as the singer declares that they have fought "guns, tanks, cannon" - all symbols of war and destruction. This juxtaposition of the mundane (an unlocked door, a mysterious sound) with the extraordinary (war, violence) creates a sense of unease and tension that runs throughout the song.
The remainder of the song consists of a repeated refrain, "Tell me who's that writin' John the revelator?" This phrase is borrowed from the traditional gospel song "John the Revelator," which tells the story of John the Baptist and his role as a prophet. In the last verse of "Cannon," the singer sings "Lord above, I command, I've been evil." This line could be interpreted as a confession of guilt for past wrongdoings, or as a declaration of an upcoming battle. The song ends just as it began, with the sound of the mysterious wheels turning, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved tension.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside
I am currently outside.
My door
I am standing near my unlocked door.
Unlocked
My door is not locked.
I'm lookin'
I am observing my surroundings.
At this sound
I am paying attention to a specific noise.
That chime out of nowhere
The sound I am hearing came unexpectedly.
Yeah, nowhere
The origin of the sound is unclear.
Whoo
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
Wheels turnin'
Referring to the sound of rotating wheels.
Scratchin'
The wheels sound like they are rubbing against a surface.
And burnin'
The wheels may be experiencing friction and heat.
Yeah
Indicating agreement or emphasis.
I fought guns
The singer has experience with firearms.
Tanks
The singer has experience with armored vehicles.
Cannon
The singer has experience with large, mounted guns.
Cannon
Repeated for emphasis.
Yeah
Indicating agreement or emphasis.
Tell me who's that writin'
Possibly addressing someone about a writer or author.
John the revelator
Referring to a biblical figure who received revelations from God.
Tell me who's that writin'
Repeating the question about the author.
John the revelator
Repeating the name of the author.
Tell me who's that writin'
Repeating the question about the author.
John the revelator
Repeating the name of the author.
Wrote the book on the seven seas
Describing the author's work as an expert or authority on naval affairs.
Christ went down on Easter mornin'
Referring to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.
Mary mother went down to see it
Referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus, visiting the tomb where Jesus's body was laid after his crucifixion.
Gotta tell my disciples to meet me in Galilee
Jesus is instructing his disciples to meet him in the region of Galilee after his resurrection.
Who's writin'
Repeating the question about the author.
John the revelator
Repeating the name of the author.
Tell me who's that writin'
Repeating the question about the author.
John the revelator
Repeating the name of the author.
Wrote the book on the seven seas
Repeating the author's area of expertise.
Hey
Used to get someone's attention or as an exclamation.
Whoo
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
Lord above
Referring to God.
I command
The artist is asserting power or control over something or someone.
I've been evil
The singer acknowledges they have done something wrong or immoral.
Evil
Repeated for emphasis.
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..