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
Lets Shake Hands
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh
Let's shake hands
Oh
Baby lets shake hands
Well there's something here in the air
Jump up and let me know when you're there
Baby lets shake hands
Let's be friends
Oh
Baby lets be friends
I can't come up with a better plan
Put your fingers in my hand
Baby lets be friends
Yeah
Oh
Say my name
Oh
Baby say my name
Well you can do what you want to do
Throw it in the garbage can
But just say my name
Yeah
Yeah
The White Stripes's song Let's Shake Hands is a song about friendship and making connections. The repeated phrases of "let's shake hands" and "let's be friends" emphasize the importance of physical contact and creating a bond. The singer expresses a desire for the other person to "jump up and let me know when you're there," indicating a need for communication and mutual recognition. The line "Put your fingers in my hand" is a call for trust and vulnerability, as physical touch can be an intimate act.
The second half of the song shifts slightly, with the singer requesting the other person to "Say my name" and "just say my name." This could be read as a plea for validation and acknowledgement, as the singer wants to be recognized by the other person. The line "you can do what you want to do, throw it in the garbage can" suggests that the singer is willing to endure rejection or indifference, but still wants to be acknowledged.
The overall tone of the song is upbeat and energetic, with the repetition of the phrases adding to the excitement. The guitar and drums also add to the high-energy feeling, as the song builds to a frenzied finish.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expression of enthusiasm or agreement
Oh
Exclamation, indicating surprise or delight
Let's shake hands
Suggests a gesture of introduction or reconciliation
Baby lets shake hands
Affectionate way of addressing someone, followed by an invitation to shake hands
Well there's something here in the air
Suggests an intangible feeling or chemistry between two people
Jump up and let me know when you're there
Encourages the other person to join in the action, to show their willingness to engage
Let's be friends
Proposes a friendly relationship
Baby lets be friends
Affectionate way of addressing someone, followed by a suggestion to be friends
I can't come up with a better plan
Admits a lack of other ideas or options
Put your fingers in my hand
Explicit request to make physical contact, suggesting trust and connection
Baby lets be friends
Affectionate way of addressing someone, reiterating the suggestion to be friends
Oh
Exclamation, indicating surprise or delight
Say my name
Request for recognition, acknowledgement, or attention
Baby say my name
Affectionate way of addressing someone, followed by a request to say the singer's name
Well you can do what you want to do
Asserts the other person's autonomy and free will
Throw it in the garbage can
Suggests a disregard for the other person's actions or decisions
But just say my name
Emphasizes the importance of acknowledgement and recognition from the other person
Yeah
Expression of enthusiasm or agreement
Yeah
Expression of enthusiasm or agreement
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@timothyharrison8953
I like Jack's current music, but I sure do miss the raw veracity of songs like this!
@trev1197
me too. i think jack should bring it back a little bit just for a few songs like a little refresher
@3piece598
Oh man I’ve seen jack solo 4 times and it’s great but that is exactly where I stand too. I miss the minimalism so much
@tymtsp
@3 piece I miss the minimalism too. Since Meg's not playing anymore, I at least wish Jack would do more stuff like Fly Farm Blues.
@RobotReg
Jack's solo stuff isn't that good and that's coming a huge Jack White fan
@mavjimbo
Most stunning music clip I've ever heard or seen
@LuisMedinaInformador
We need a new massive Rock & Roll wave just like this!.
@nickdavila94
Then people need to listen to the blues again!
@peatbull3426
@Sangye Pema and then another wave of Punk Rock because we need next Revolution!
@madmad10z34
YESSS