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
I Can Learn
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Were stuck up a tree
Then we'd know
That it's nicer below
I don't know any lullabies
I don't know how
To make you mine
In lonely days long ago
I saw lovers put on a show
Well now it's my turn
Drive you home
And then wait by the phone
For that call
For a walk in the fall
No harm will come of this
One little midnight kiss
It will not burn
Too many lonely days
Feel like a throw away
Well now it's my turn
Falling down
Is no longer around
Feeling sun
I'm no longer one
Well isn't this fun?
The lyrics to The White Stripes' "I Can Learn" are an interesting commentary on the search for love and companionship. The opening lines of "I wish we were stuck up a tree / Then we'd know that it's nicer below" suggest a desire to escape from the emotional complexity of relationships and retreat to a simpler, sweeter time. The next few lines reveal the singer's insecurity and vulnerability, as they admit to not knowing how to win someone's heart. However, instead of giving up, the singer expresses a willingness to learn and grow, to take on the challenge of earning love.
The second verse of the song adds another layer of emotion to the lyrics. The singer mentions having watched others in love, and now feeling like it's their turn. This could be interpreted as a sense of envy or longing, or as a feeling of readiness to take on a new relationship. The lines "No harm will come of this / One little midnight kiss / It will not burn" suggest a sense of caution mixed with excitement - the singer is cautiously optimistic about their chances of finding love.
The final lines of the song are a triumphant declaration of the singer's newfound joy and confidence. They have overcome their fear of falling and have found happiness in the sun. In contrast to the uncertainty of the beginning of the song, "I Can Learn" ends on a note of optimism and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish we
Expressing a desire or hope that we were in a situation where taking action is crucial.
Were stuck up a tree
Being in a difficult or dangerous situation.
Then we'd know
Emphasizing the importance of experiencing something to know how to navigate it better.
That it's nicer below
Acknowledging that things might be tough up there and the reality might be better than what we imagine.
I don't know any lullabies
Admitting a lack of knowledge or experience in a specific subject.
I don't know how
Conveying a sense of unfamiliarity with what needs to be done.
To make you mine
Explaining that the subject wishes to have a romantic relationship with someone.
But I can learn
'I can grow, I can do better' sentiment shows willingness to learn and improve oneself.
In lonely days long ago
Recalling a past where the subject felt isolated or alone.
I saw lovers put on a show
Observing other people's relationships and possibly feeling frustrated with one's own lack of a relationship.
Well now it's my turn
Declaring that now it's time to take action to improve oneself or pursue a romantic relationship.
Drive you home
Offering to drive someone to their destination.
And then wait by the phone
Anticipating a call and showing interest in having further contact.
For that call
Expecting/hoping for someone to communicate with the subject.
For a walk in the fall
Looking forward to going on a walk with someone during the autumn season.
No harm will come of this
Assuring that there are no ill intentions and that the situation will be safe.
One little midnight kiss
Expressing a desire for a small intimate moment, typically a kiss.
It will not burn
Emphasizing that the experience won't have any negative consequences.
Too many lonely days
Recalling that the subject has spent too much time feeling lonely.
Feel like a throw away
Feeling undervalued or unimportant to others.
Well now it's my turn
Declaring that now it's time to take action to improve oneself or pursue a romantic relationship.
Falling down
Experiencing failure or vulnerability.
Is no longer around
Implying that the subject has overcome their vulnerability or failure and is now stronger.
Feeling sun
Experiencing a good moment in life, like in the summer when the sun is shining.
I'm no longer one
Implying that the subject has gained self-confidence and is no longer feeling alone or vulnerable.
Well isn't this fun?
Sarcastically acknowledging that a positive outcome is happening, despite previously difficult or negative situations.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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..