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
St. James Infirmary Blues
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, folks, I'm going down to St. James Infirmary
And seen my little baby there
She's stretched out on a long, white table
Well, she looks so good, so cold, so fair
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
You may search this whole wide world over
But you'll never find another sweetheart like me
Yeah
Take apart your bones and put 'em back together
Tell your momma that you're somebody new
Feel the breeze blowin'
Tell 'em all, "Look out, here he comes"
Now I can say whatever I feel like to you
Then give me six crap-shootin' pallbearers
Let a chorus girl sing me a song
Put a red-hot jazz band at the top
We raise Hallelujah, as we go along
Well
Well, folks, now that you have heard my story
Say, boy, hand me another shot of that rye
And if anyone else should ask you
Just tell 'em
I've got some of those St. James Infirmary blues
In The White Stripes's song St. James Infirmary Blues, the singer is contemplating his own mortality and the loss of his lover. He is preparing to visit the infirmary where his sweetheart is lying on a white table, looking cold and fair. He acknowledges that she is gone forever and bids her farewell, wishing her to rest in peace. The singer then declares that he himself will soon undergo a transformation and be reborn as someone new, seemingly unafraid of the unknown.
The next stanza of the song sees the singer expressing his desire to be remembered in grand fashion after his death. He wants six pallbearers to carry his body, a chorus girl to sing him a song, and a red-hot jazz band to play at the top. He envisions his funeral procession as a joyful celebration of his life, with his mourners raising Hallelujah as they go along. The song ends with the singer asking for another shot of rye and stating that he too has some of those St. James Infirmary blues.
Overall, the song is a melancholic reflection on death and the fleeting nature of life. The singer accepts his mortality and seems to find comfort in the belief that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning. The use of vivid imagery and poetic language adds to the emotion and depth of the song, while the melody and instrumentation create a haunting and mournful atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Coco
Introducing the song with a shout-out to a friend named Coco.
Well, folks, I'm going down to St. James Infirmary
The singer is announcing that they are going to visit the St. James Infirmary.
And seen my little baby there
The singer is suggesting that their lover is in the infirmary.
She's stretched out on a long, white table
The artist's lover is laid out on a mortuary slab.
Well, she looks so good, so cold, so fair
The artist's lover looks peaceful and beautiful, even in death.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
The singer is urging others to let go of their lover and bless her.
Wherever she may be
The singer is asking God to watch over the soul of the departed lover.
You may search this whole wide world over
The artist suggests that it is impossible to find another lover like them.
But you'll never find another sweetheart like me
The artist is asserting their unique qualities as a lover.
Yeah
An interjection expressing agreement or confirmation.
Take apart your bones and put 'em back together
A metaphor/commentary on the transformation that love can bring.
Tell your momma that you're somebody new
The artist is suggesting that they have been fundamentally transformed by their lover's death.
Feel the breeze blowin'
A call to live life fully, and enjoy every moment.
Tell 'em all, "Look out, here he comes"
The singer wants to project an image of confidence and swagger, despite their loss.
Now I can say whatever I feel like to you
The singer feels that they have been empowered by their lover's death to speak without restraint.
Then give me six crap-shootin' pallbearers
The artist wants six friends to be pallbearers at their funeral.
Let a chorus girl sing me a song
The artist wants a chorus girl to sing at their funeral as well.
Put a red-hot jazz band at the top
Finally, the singer is asking for a jazz band to play at the top of their funeral procession.
We raise Hallelujah, as we go along
The singer is suggesting that their funeral should be a celebration of their life.
Well
Introducing the conclusion of the song.
Well, folks, now that you have heard my story
The artist is acknowledging the audience's attention and recapping their story.
Say, boy, hand me another shot of that rye
The artist wants another drink before concluding the song.
And if anyone else should ask you
The singer is giving a parting line to the audience.
Just tell 'em
The artist introduces the final line of the song.
I've got some of those St. James Infirmary blues
The singer is acknowledging the sadness they feel after losing their lover to the St. James Infirmary.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Mills
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..