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
Look Me Over Closely
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what you see
The lady likes to look her best
Before she pours the tea
You said I'm [?]
That makes the evening sun go down
Oh look me over closely
Tell me what you find
I'm not the marryin' kind
I'm a poor in a storm
You'll harbor where it's warm
In my arms you will hide
From the great big world outside
Oh but when you come and see me
Don't try to change my ways
You'll have a part within my heart
And there you'll always stay
There's room for all
Not for all
But don't blame me
If you fall
So look me over closely
And then make up your mind
But darling please remember this
I'm holding you before we kiss
So look me over closely
Because I may be the marryin' kind
Oh well I may be the marryin' kind
Oh well I may be the marryin' kind
Oh
The lyrics of "Look Me Over Closely" by The White Stripes are about a woman who wants to be looked at, scrutinized and ultimately loved for who she is, flaws and all. The song begins with her challenging her partner to look at her closely and observe everything about her, even her imperfections, before she pours the tea. The woman is confident in herself and knows that she looks and feels her best, but at the same time, she wants her partner to see her for who she is, both the good and the bad.
As the song progresses, the woman acknowledges that she may not be the marrying kind and that she's a "port in a storm" where her partner can hide from the outside world. She's content with the way she is and doesn't want her partner to try and change her. However, she's also willing to let her partner into her world and hold a part of her heart if they choose to accept her for who she is.
The song is ultimately a plea for acceptance and love, even when we have imperfections. It's a reminder that we should always try to look beyond someone's outward appearance and see their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Look me over closely
Examine me closely and with thorough attention
Tell me what you see
Share your observations about what you perceive upon close inspection of me
The lady likes to look her best
I have a preference for putting my best foot forward and looking my best
Before she pours the tea
This is something I prefer to do before serving tea
You said I'm [?]
I am curious and interested in better understanding what it is that you said to me
That makes the evening sun go down
Your words have a powerful effect and can change the mood of a moment
Oh look me over closely
Reiterating the initial invitation to closely examine me
Tell me what you find
Encouraging you to share your findings after examining me
But don't be over anxious
I urge you to remain calm and not overly excited about what you might find
I'm not the marryin' kind
I am not someone who is interested in getting married
I'm a poor in a storm
I am not very resilient in difficult times
You'll harbor where it's warm
If you seek comfort, you will find it in my company
In my arms you will hide
I provide a sense of security and comfort that is difficult to find elsewhere
From the great big world outside
I offer a safe haven from the difficulties of the larger world around us
Oh but when you come and see me
Looking forward to your presence and eager for your visit
Don't try to change my ways
I am not interested in changing who I am or what I believe
You'll have a part within my heart
I will hold a special place for you within my heart
And there you'll always stay
You will occupy a permanent place within my affections
There's room for all
I am inclusive and believe that there is space and acceptance for everyone
Not for all
However, I acknowledge that I may not be everyone's cup of tea
But don't blame me
I cannot be held responsible for your reaction to me
If you fall
If you become infatuated with me and fall in love
So look me over closely
Another reminder to examine me closely
And then make up your mind
After careful consideration, decide what you think of me
But darling please remember this
A plea to keep this in mind
I'm holding you before we kiss
A warning that physical intimacy is not necessarily an indication of romantic commitment
Because I may be the marryin' kind
However, there is still the possibility that I might have a change of heart and be interested in marriage
Oh well I may be the marryin' kind
Repeating this possibility and acknowledging its potential importance to the listener
Oh well I may be the marryin' kind
Reiterating this possibility one more time for emphasis
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TERRY GILKYSON
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..