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 Don't Know What Love Is
The White Stripes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When pushed and pulled and pressured, you still don't want to hide
But it's for someone else's benefit, not for what you wanna do
Until I realize that you've realized, I'm gonna say these words to you
Yeah, you don't know what love is, you do as you're told
Just as a child of ten might act, but you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless, and I hate to sound cold
I can see a man can't help but win any problems that may arise
But in his mind there can be no sin if you never criticize
You just keep on repeating all those empty "I love you"s
Until you see you deserve better, I'm gonna lay right in to you
Yeah, you don't know what love is, you just do as you're told
Just as a child of ten might act, but you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless, and I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is
No, you don't know what love is
No, you don't know what love is, you just do as you're told
Yeah, do as you're told
The lyrics to The White Stripes' song "You Don't Know What Love Is" seem to address a person who is unable to fully understand what love truly means. The opening line of the song acknowledges that the person being addressed has a "respectable side," implying that they have some positive characteristics or qualities. However, it's suggested that the person only displays these positive traits for the benefit of others, not because they truly want to. The line "But it's for someone else's benefit, not for what you wanna do" highlights this idea. The singer seems to be frustrated with this person and wants to call them out, saying that they don't understand what love is.
The chorus of the song reinforces this idea, with the repeated line "you don't know what love is, you just do as you're told." The person being addressed is portrayed as a child, who simply follows instructions without understanding the true meaning behind them. The singer acknowledges that the person is not necessarily hopeless or helpless, but still believes that they are not fully capable of grasping the concept of love.
The second verse introduces a different perspective: that of a man who is able to solve problems, but only because he never faces criticism. This man is accused of repeating empty "I love you"s without truly understanding their weight and meaning. The singer continues to stress that until the person being addressed truly understands and deserves better, the criticism will continue.
Overall, "You Don't Know What Love Is" is a song about the frustration of dealing with someone who doesn't understand or appreciate the true depth of love. It presents the idea that love is not just about saying certain words or performing certain actions, but involves a deeper understanding and emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
In some respects, I suspect you've got a respectable side
I can see that you have some good qualities in you, but only to a certain extent.
When pushed and pulled and pressured, you still don't want to hide
Even when facing difficulties, you remain strong and don't give up easily.
But it's for someone else's benefit, not for what you wanna do
Your actions are mainly for the benefit of others, rather than for your own desires.
Until I realize that you've realized, I'm gonna say these words to you
I will continue to remind you of your mistakes until you acknowledge them yourself.
Yeah, you don't know what love is, you do as you're told
You are blindly following orders without truly understanding the concept of love.
Just as a child of ten might act, but you're far too old
Your behavior is equivalent to that of a child, despite your age.
You're not hopeless or helpless, and I hate to sound cold
I don't want to sound unsympathetic, but you are capable of changing your ways.
But you don't know what love is, you just do as you're told
Your actions are lacking genuine love and are simply following orders.
I can see a man can't help but win any problems that may arise
I can see that you have the ability to overcome any obstacles that come your way.
But in his mind there can be no sin if you never criticize
You believe that you are faultless as long as no one points out your flaws.
You just keep on repeating all those empty "I love you"s
Your declarations of love are insincere and lack any real meaning or substance.
Until you see you deserve better, I'm gonna lay right in to you
I will continue to criticize you until you realize that you deserve better than the situation you are in.
No, you don't know what love is, you just do as you're told
You still lack a true understanding of love and continue to follow orders blindly.
Yeah, do as you're told
You are simply following orders without questioning their meaning or purpose.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JACK WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pam
[Lyrics]
In some respects I suspect
You've got a respectable side
When pushed and pulled and pressured
You seldom run and hide
But it's for someone else's benefit
Not for what you wanna do
Until I realize that you've realized
I'm gonna say these words to you
Yeah, you don't know what love is
You do as you're told
Just as a child at ten might act
But you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless
And I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is
You just do as you're told
I can see your man can't help but win
Any problems that may arise
But in his mind there can be no sin
If you never criticize
You just keep on repeating
All those empty I love you's
Until you say you deserve better
I'm gonna lay right into you
Yeah, you don't know what love is
You just do as you're told
Just as a child at ten might act
But you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless
And I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is
No, you don't know what love is
No, you don't know what love is
You just do as you're told
Yeah, you do as you're told, yeah
Eric Foster
This album is filled with absolute bangers.
El Wray
I have discovered "Icky Thumb" for myself way too late and I´ve come to the conclusion, I missed out on what is possibly their best album. And God knows, I love "Elephant" like crazy.
JußtJammin 777
You mean "hits" as us Americans say
Nergal_Slayer
One of their best. They were something special. They don't make them like this anymore.
FF
What are you even talking about? This came out 15 years ago. Chill
Nergal_Slayer
@FF 15 years can be half a life. Can't I live in nostalgia for a second? It's none of your business really.
FF
@Nergal_Slayer I never said you couldn’t be nostalgic? Yikes, screw your business. “They don’t make them like this anymore” sounds ignorant as hell. Don’t be that person
Michael Pordan
nor they did before
LittleLady Angel
The thing about Meg is this, any time you see her (in interviews, music videos, etc..) out from behind the drums she's this shy, innocent and awkwardly cute girl, behind a drum set she turns into instant sexual energy, I don't think anyone else can possibly pull that off! She is amazing and beautiful and talented. (I'm a girl and I totally envy you meg! <3 )
Ana Tarte
12 years later.....i love this band and jack....I was really sad when they separated.
But yes I totally agree. The way she looks at him....pure fire. I thinks the chemistry between them was unique. From all the girlfriends I see them have a special bond. I love that Jack admirr women and respect them , you see his videos and you can tell he is a gentleman.