The song shows a rare example of the Phrygian Half Cadence in popular music. It is also a rare example of a popular song with a wholly instrumental refrain.
According to White, "Seven Nation Army" was what he used to call the Salvation Army as a child.
In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Seven Nation Army" at number 8 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. In September 2005, NME placed "Seven Nation Army" at number 5 in its list of the 50 Greatest Tracks Of The Decade. In May 2008, Rolling Stone placed this song at number 21 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.
A remix of the song was used in the trailer for Battlefield 1, which caused the song to spike up to the low 100's on Itunes charts.
Seven Nation Army
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Takin' their time right behind my back
And I'm talkin' to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message comin' from my eyes
Says, "Leave it alone"
Don't wanna hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the Hounds of Hell
And if I catch it comin' back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear
But that's what I'll do
And the feelin' comin' from my bones
Says, "Find a home"
I'm goin' to Wichita
Far from this opera forevermore
I'm gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I'm bleedin', and I'm bleedin', and I'm bleedin'
Right before the Lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will think no more
And the stains comin' from my blood
Tell me, "Go back home"
The lyrics to The White Stripes' hit song Seven Nation Army paint a vivid image of the singer, an individual who appears to be driven and unafraid of confrontation. The song begins with the singer stating that they are prepared to fight anyone and that even an army of seven nations couldn't hold them back. The singer appears to be on edge and aware that someone is following them, taking their time right behind their back.
In the next verse, the lyrics suggest that the singer is tormented by something they cannot forget. This causes the singer to speak to themselves at night, but they are unable to find peace of mind. The singer then declares that every person or group of people has a story, and everyone knows about it, regardless of who they are, from the Queen of England to the Hounds of Hell. If the problem that is occupying the singer's mind comes back their way, they will serve it to the other person.
The final verse of the song is full of visual imagery. The singer's desire to escape their current situation leads them to Wichita, far from the world they currently occupy. The singer is willing to work hard labor and subject themselves to physical pain until they can no longer think about their problems.
Overall, the song appears to speak to the idea of a person feeling trapped within their own mind or situation. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and a need to escape. The chorus is simple yet powerful, with the repetition of the iconic guitar riff adding to the feeling of urgency.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna fight 'em all
I will not back down against any opponent
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
My strength and perseverance cannot be stopped by even the largest opposition
They're gonna rip it off
Others will attempt to take what I have worked for
Taking their time right behind my back
My enemies are waiting for the perfect moment to strike
And I'm talking to myself at night
I am consumed by my thoughts and fears
Because I can't forget
I am haunted by past mistakes and failures
Back and forth through my mind
My thoughts are a never-ending cycle
Behind a cigarette
I use smoking as a coping mechanism
And the message coming from my eyes
My body language and facial expressions convey to others to leave me alone
Says, "Leave it alone"
I want to handle my own problems and don't want anyone else's interference
Don't wanna hear about it
I don't want to listen to other people's complaints or stories
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone has their own problems and experiences to share
Everyone knows about it
These problems are not unique to me, they are universal
From the Queen of England to the Hounds of Hell
These issues affect people of all social classes and backgrounds
And if I catch it coming back my way
If someone tries to bring their problems to me, I am not afraid to confront them
I'm gonna serve it to you
I will return their negativity to them
And that ain't what you want to hear
Others do not want to face the consequences of their actions
But that's what I'll do
I will not shy away from standing up for myself
And the feeling coming from my bones
My intuition and instincts tell me that I need to find a new path
Says, "Find a home"
I need to find a place where I can truly feel at peace
I'm going to Wichita
I am leaving my current situation behind and starting anew
Far from this opera forevermore
I am leaving behind the drama and chaos of my current environment
I'm gonna work the straw
I am starting from the bottom and working my way up
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
I am willing to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve my goals
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding
I am going through great pain and hardship
Right before the Lord
I am at my lowest point and need help from a higher power
All the words are gonna bleed from me
I will bear all of my emotions and reveal my true self
And I will think no more
I need to move forward and focus on the present
And the stains coming from my blood
The pain and scars of my past are still present and affect me
Tell me, "Go back home"
I am reminded that I cannot truly escape from my past, and should confront it rather than run away
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Anthony White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Literatura_Latinoamericana
[Closed Caption]
(๐๐๐dun dun - dun dun - dun dun...)
(๐ตBass hypnotic intro๐ถ)
[0:16] I'm gonna fight 'em all
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
[0:32] And I'm talking to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message coming from my eyes
Says leave it alone.
๐ธ๐ผ๐ต๐ถ
[1:27] Don't want to hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell
[1:41] And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear
But that's what I'll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says find a home.
๐ผ(๐ธ๐ต๐ถAwesome distorted guitar Solo ๐ธ๐ต๐ถ)๐ผ
I'm going to Wichita
Far from this opera for evermore
I'm gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding
Right before the lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will sing no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me go back home.
@diamond.armour.0866
Lyrics
I'm gonna fight 'em off
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
And I'm talking to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message coming from my eyes
Says leave it alone
Don't want to hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell
And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear
But that's what I'll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says find a home
I'm going to Wichita
Far from this opera for evermore
I'm gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding
Right before the lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will sing no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me go back home
@x.sergeant1532
Quarantine day 32:
There are 184 triangles in this song
sure ? you count them?
@x.sergeant1532
@ Yes I really did
@sandradb9151
lol
@bbuniverse3628
@@x.sergeant1532 Did you count the reflection of the triangles on the floor?
@x.sergeant1532
@@bbuniverse3628 No just double the original triangles bro.
@marianareyes127
this song is one of those songs that just stays in your memory, forever.
@leonelrodriguez7822
fr
@aletrix_x
True first song learned on guitar
@stijngillis3888
Glad it does