Who hasn’t heard “Seven Nation Army?” The song is the first track of the 2003 LP Elephant by a band called The White Stripes, which consists of Jack and Meg White. Even if you don’t recognize the name, the second the fuzzy bass riff begins you’ll know it. Sadie Abrahamson, ‘27, when asked if she knew the band, said “who?” and then when asked if she had heard “Seven Nation Army,” responded with “oh yeah I like that song!” It’s everywhere: being played at football games all around the country, before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in presidential campaigns, etc. However, in an interview with Conan O’Brien, Jack White stated that he didn’t even think “Seven Nation Army” was the most interesting track of the album. It wasn’t even chosen to be the lead single for the album. While the song is genius in its own right, it is not uncommon to agree with Jack. “Seven Nation Army” with its grandiose guitar solos a n d huge punchy drums, is just one great song of many waiting in their discography. Braddock Hokanson, ‘26, who did know of the band outside of “Seven Nation Army” said “my favorite White Stripes song is … ‘Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.’”
“Ball and Biscuit,” the 8th track of Elephant, is a 7-minute blues-rock marathon fit for true fans of the genre. It slowly marches along with Meg White’s simple but ever-so hard hitting drums, climaxing after every verse in a brilliant display of screeching guitar solos that perfectly encapsulate the band.
Some may already know of some of their bigger songs, such as “Fell In Love With a Girl,” a fast, brash garage rock staple, or “Icky Thump,” one of the band’s later hits, putting the band’s eclecticness on full display. Its strange electric organ noodles around the powerful riffs that make up the song’s wordless chorus, ending with Jack White abusing the highest string on his electric guitar, ensuring that no ear goes unbled.
Less inclined to electric instrumentation? Another of the band’s hits is “We’re Going to Be Friends,” a sweet acoustic ballad, described by New Musical Express as “fey childhood-sweetheart folk.” The song is a stark contrast to what The White Stripes are popular for, but remains popular and appears across pop-culture today. The song can even be heard in “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Wonder,” and “Rick and Morty.” The White Stripes have written hundreds of songs, each one trying to push the boundaries of blues rock and garage rock to new heights, and while “Seven Nation Army” is an anthem, it shouldn’t overshadow the rest of their discography.
