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
You’re Pretty Good Looking
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But your back is so broken
And this feeling's still gonna linger on
Until the year 2525 now
Yeah you're pretty good looking for a girl
Your eyes are wide open
And your thoughts have been stolen by the boys
Want now
Yeah you're pretty good looking
Oh yeah
You're pretty good looking
Yes you're pretty good looking
Oh yeah
For a girl
Lots of people in this world
But I want to be your boy
To me that thought is sounding so absurd
And I don't want to be your toy
Cause you're pretty good looking for a girl
My future's wide open
But this feeling's still gonna linger on
Until I know everything I need to know now
Yeah you're pretty good looking
Oh yeah
You're pretty good looking
Yes you're pretty good looking
Oh yeah
For a girl
The White Stripes's song "You're Pretty Good Looking" is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on societal beauty standards and the superficiality of relationships. The song starts by praising the girl's physical appearance, but quickly turns around to point out her internal struggles and emotional baggage. The line "But your back is so broken" could be interpreted as either physical or emotional pain, but either way, it serves to humanize the girl and make her more than just a pretty face. Additionally, the line "And this feeling's still gonna linger on, until the year 2525 now" suggests that even though the relationship might not last forever, the memory of this girl will linger on for centuries.
In the second verse, the song becomes a critique of the boys who "bought [the girl] everything [she] want[s] now." This line implies that the girl is only attractive because of her material possessions, and that she has been reduced to a plaything for these boys to show off to their friends. The refrain of "Yeah you're pretty good looking" continues throughout the song, serving both as mockery of the beauty standards that value women solely for their looks, and as a nod to the girl's societal status as an attractive woman.
The final verse is where the true message of the song comes through. The singer claims that he wants to be more than just another boy who uses this girl for his own pleasure - he wants to be her partner and equal. However, he also acknowledges that this desire may be unrealistic, and that he may never have the chance to prove himself to her. Despite this uncertainty, the singer's infatuation with this girl will continue to affect him for a long time to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah you're pretty good looking for a girl
Although you are attractive, it is notable that this compliment is specifically for a girl, implying that the singer may have lower expectations for a girl's appearance.
But your back is so broken
Despite your physical beauty, it seems that you are carrying a burden that has caused some sort of emotional or mental stress.
And this feeling's still gonna linger on
The singer's attraction to you will remain for some time, even if circumstances change.
Until the year 2525 now
The artist humorously exaggerates the persistence of their attraction by referencing a distant year in the future.
Your eyes are wide open
It appears that you are aware of what is happening around you and possibly even complicit in the attention you receive from others.
And your thoughts have been stolen by the boys
It seems that the singer believes others have influenced your thinking and possibly even manipulated you.
Who took you out and bought you everything you want now
The singer suggests that you have succumbed to material desires and have been easily swayed by those who offer you material possessions.
Lots of people in this world
There are many potential romantic partners in the world, but the artist desires to be specifically your partner.
But I want to be your boy
Despite any potential challenges or obstacles, the artist desires a romantic relationship with you and wants to be seen as your partner.
To me that thought is sounding so absurd
The artist acknowledges that the idea of the two of them together may seem silly or unlikely, but their desire remains.
And I don't want to be your toy
The singer wants a genuine, meaningful relationship with you and not just a fleeting or superficial fling.
My future's wide open
The artist sees many possibilities and opportunities for their future, but desires to include a romantic relationship with you in that future.
Until I know everything I need to know now
The singer recognizes the need to learn more about you and the potential challenges of a relationship before moving forward.
Yeah you're pretty good looking for a girl
The singer reiterates their initial compliment, still emphasizing the qualifier 'for a girl.'
Oh yeah
This interjection simply emphasizes the singer's enthusiasm for the subject at hand.
You're pretty good looking
The artist repeats the compliment again to reinforce it.
Yes you're pretty good looking
The artist continues to emphasize your physical attractiveness.
Oh yeah
Another interjection expressing the singer's excitement or enthusiasm.
For a girl
The singer once again adds the qualifier 'for a girl,' signaling that the compliment is conditional on gender.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK WHITE
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..