Screwdriver
The White Stripes (Peel Session) Lyrics
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I gotta have somewhere to go
I call up Tommy now
I call him on the telephone
Oh won't you wake up and come with me now
I'm going to the pawn and loan
Walkin' down thirty three
Walkin' down thirty oh
What am I supposed to think
I love people like a brother now
But I'm not gonna be their mother now
What if someone walked up to me
And
Like and apple cut right through me
I'm no just gonna stand their grinnin'
Cause I'm not the one who's sinnin'
Screwdriver
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Now that you have heard my story now
I got a little endin' to it now
Whenever you go out alone
Take a little dog a bone
And think about your little sister
And then you gotta drive it home
Screwdriver
I got a little feeling goin' now x11
Now now
In "Screwdriver," The White Stripes paint a picture of a mundane morning where the singer is looking for something to do. He calls up his friend, Tommy, asking him to come along with him to the pawn and loan shop. As they walk down 33rd Street, the singer's thoughts take a darker turn, wondering about what he's supposed to think and imagining someone cutting through him like an apple. He then sings the chorus about being a "screwdriver" and feeling a little crazy.
The song's lyrics are cryptic and open to interpretation, but one possible reading could be that the singer is feeling aimless and trapped, unable to escape his mundane everyday life. He suggests taking a dog bone as a way to find purpose and meaning in the world, all while feeling a little unhinged.
Overall, "Screwdriver" captures the disaffected and rebellious spirit of The White Stripes' music, while also hinting at a deeper sense of alienation and existential unease.
Line by Line Meaning
Tuesday mornin' now
It is Tuesday morning at the present moment.
I gotta have somewhere to go
I need to find a place to go.
I call up Tommy now
I make a phone call to Tommy at this moment.
I call him on the telephone
I am making a phone call to Tommy.
Oh won't you wake up and come with me now
I implore Tommy to wake up and join me on my journey.
I'm going to the pawn and loan
I am heading towards the pawn shop and loan office.
Walkin' down thirty three
I am walking on a street named thirty three.
Walkin' down thirty oh
I am walking down the same street as above, but it is unclear whether it is thirty or another number altogether.
What am I supposed to think
I am unsure about what my thoughts should be in this situation.
I love people like a brother now
I have a great fondness for people, like the love between siblings.
But I'm not gonna be their mother now
However, I will not be responsible for them in the same way as a mother would be.
What if someone walked up to me
I wonder what could be the outcome if someone approached me.
And like an apple cut right through me
If they took advantage of my softness and cut through me like a knife through an apple.
I'm no just gonna stand their grinnin'
I won't just stand there with a smile on my face.
Cause I'm not the one who's sinnin'
I am not the one doing wrong, so I am not at fault.
Screwdriver
A term used to convey strength and vigor, or possibly a literal screwdriver tool.
Now that you have heard my story now
Now that I have told my story.
I got a little endin' to it now
I have a conclusion for my story.
Whenever you go out alone
When you are by yourself out there.
Take a little dog a bone
Bring some small token or gift with you, like a dog bone.
And think about your little sister
Consider the well-being of your younger sister while you are out.
And then you gotta drive it home
You have to make sure to remember this and put it into practice.
I got a little feeling goin' now x11
I have a sense of excitement building up inside of me, repeated eleven times.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Knightmare Incarnation
Favourite song from this album, so fun and simple to play!
Casandra Bullock
This was always one of Meg's favorites to play live. It's great!!!
Model Jet Juggernaut
the way it builds up towards the end... sends fkn shivers down my spine every time
Casandra Bullock
When I see them play it on under great white northern lights I feel the same way!
James Edward
One of the most exciting songs in the universe.
YouTube Premium
Underrated and brilliant
Dingus Mann
The best garage rock song period ngl
night drums
Pinche rolota!!
Student of the Master
holy crap no way.. this is 1990s???? specifically 1999.. i thought this was like a 60s or 70s song haha.. niiiicccceeeee rock on dudes \m/
Roman Cultist
Nah bro. 60s and 70s guitar players were better at tuning their guitars... And that's why Jack White is awesome.