The Denial Twist

Album: Get Behind Me Satan (2005)
Charted: 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about dealing with a relationship that has ended. It's possible that Jack White wrote it about his relationship with the actress Renée Zellweger. Some of the lyrical clues:

    "Take a mountain, turn it into a mole" - White and Zellweger met on the set of the movie Cold Mountain.

    "Playing a different role" - Could be a reference to Zellweger's acting talents.

    "Never do it with a singer 'cause he'll tell everyone in the world" - This could be Jack speaking out in this song.
  • Talk show host Conan O'Brien is featured in the video. The White Stripes were the musical guest on his show for an entire week when they were promoting their album Elephant.
  • Michel Gondry, who is famous for his wildly imaginative and somewhat distorted work, directed the video. Gondry has directed videos for Daft Punk, Kylie Minogue, Björk and many others. He also directed the movie Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, which features size distortion similar to what he used in this video. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR, for above 2
  • On December 8, 2005 The White Stripes performed this song and "My Doorbell" on The Daily Show. The White Stripes were the first musical guest ever on the show. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bri - Chelmsford, MA
  • The album's title comes from the 1936 song "Get Thee Behind Me Satan" by Harriet Hilliard. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 5

  • Shaun from Dallas, TxThe album name references a line from the Bible, not a specific song.
  • Dan from Minneapolis, MnI hate to disagree with the "facts" but i have a different opinion on the meaning of Jacks lyrics.The "Cold mountain" connection makes sense in a tabloid sense but Jacks a little deeper than that.In the line "Take a mountain turn it in to a mole. Just by playing a different role." He's giving advice to change the way your acting in a relationship.If you act like a love sick puppy your going to be dominated.If you turn it around and act indifferent towards your squeeze the roles will reverse turning a mountain into a mole hill. Briliant!
  • /alix\ from Pinkerton, MiMan, I love it in the video when Meg puts her foot through the TV and it's the giant foot that crushed the piano, that was just amazing.
  • Grayson from Cleveland, OhJack White is a lyrical genious.
  • Dan from Lee, NhCool Lyrics and a great flow. The White Stripes just keep getting better!
see more comments

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