In The Cold, Cold Night

Album: Elephant (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "In The Cold, Cold Night" is the only song in the White Stripes catalog sung by the drummer in the duo, Meg White. Her bandmate (and ex-husband) Jack White wrote the song specifically for her to sing, which took some convincing. Meg isn't trained as a singer and didn't think she could pull it off, but her subtle delivery suits the song as she spins a tale of a mysterious man who warms her up in the cold, cold night. It's a close cousin to the Peggy Lee hit "Fever."
  • There is no drumming in the song, just the sound of a suspended cymbal played at regular intervals.
  • The White Stripes didn't have a bass player, but Jack White would often improvise to fill up the low-end when needed. On "In The Cold, Cold Night," he played the bass pedals of a Hammond organ to get that sound. Instead of sitting down and using his feet, he got down on the floor and pressed the pedals with his hands. This kind of improvisation is typical of Jack's approach in the studio.
  • The song is a fan favorite that always got a great reaction when the band performed it. The very introverted Meg White found herself courageously stepping out from her drum kit and taking center stage for the song, giving Jack's voice a break. Meg is very private and didn't talk much when the band did interviews, so she had an air of mystery about her. Fans knew that seeing her at the microphone was a rare sighting.
  • Jack White was involved in another "cold" project around this time. He appeared in the 2003 movie Cold Mountain and worked on the soundtrack. Set during the Civil War, the film has female lead characters that at times express similar sentiments to what's heard in this song.
  • If you're thinking that "In The Cold, Cold Night" would sound great in your movie, you're not the only one. According to Jack White, filmmakers have made lots of requests to use the song, but he's turned them all down.
  • The song is part of the fourth White Stripes album, Elephant, which leveled them up from beloved indie duo to recognized rockers thanks to "Seven Nation Army," a song that proved inescapable, especially if you went to a sporting event.

    They released two more albums and were still very popular when they stopped performing in 2009. Their official breakup came in 2011. Jack White took on numerous projects, including a label/pressing plant called Third Man Records and a series of solo albums. Meg stayed out of the public eye for the most part.

Comments: 10

  • Lily from Cant Say, Not SayingThis is one of the best songs I have ever heard
  • Autumn from Rome, ItalyYes, I agree, the White Stripes are a minimalist band. Doesn't Jack have some sort of infatuation with the number 3? Anyway, one way to look at the song? If Jack sung this piece, the song surely would have not sold. Meg has a raw tone...and it fits this song, specifically.
  • Adrian from Brookings, SdMeg doesn't have the best singing voice in the world, but even its simple, off-key quality is somehow soothing to the ears. I can see why Jack chose to have her sing it.
  • Dragonkillernz from Christchurch, New ZealandMeg has a fantastic voice, very bluesy.
  • Sheen from Dallas, TxOkay, whoa, Meg can totally play the drums. She just doesn't have the speed and technical prowess that you Mike Portnoy and Neil Peart fans like. This band is supposed to be as minimal as possible, hence Meg's minimalist, childlike style. In other words, I win and you lose.
  • Alex from Perth, Australiaall the songs that meg sings are the worst white stripes songs, she cant sing and she cant play the drums, not even in the slightest, which shows how one great music mind (jack) can carry another person into rock fame.
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrI give this song two thumbs way up.
  • Rene from Chicago, IlI love to hear Meg sing. She has a great, raw voice!
  • Shaun from Not Telling, Txi'm not saying she was horrible...but don't you think Meg was a little, um, bad on the song? She didn't sound good. If you haven't heard this song before then look at a picture of Meg, try to make a good guess of how she sings, then buy Elephant, and listen to this song. You'll probably notice a big difference than what you were thinking of
  • Danny from Sydney, AustraliaThey did this song at big day out. Meg did pretty well and the crowd cheered her on.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Love of The Beach Boys

Mike Love of The Beach BoysSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist of The Beach Boys talks about coming up with the words for "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Kokomo" and other classic songs.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.