Album: The White Stripes (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "John the Revelator" is a reference to a traditional blues song of that name first recorded in 1930 by Blind Willie Johnson. "Cannon" uses a portion of the a cappella version by the American blues musician Son House. According to The Bible, St. John wrote the book of Revelation, which describes the apocalypse. He is "John the Revelator." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • "Cannon" is part of the first (self-titled) White Stripes album, released in 1999 back when we thought the two members, Jack and Meg White, were brother and sister. They were actually a married couple but fibbed to the press for fun. A Detroit Free Press reporter figured it out in 2001 when he found their marriage license. When they got married in 1996, Jack took her last name, changing from Jack Gillis to Jack White. They got divorced in 2000 but kept making music together until The White Stripes broke up in 2011.

Comments: 1

  • Sean from Levittown, PaThis is actually a sample reference to a song by Blind Willie Johnson called John The Revelator. He played amazing slide guitar in the twenties. Jack White also plays with a slide.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.