White Moon

Album: Get Behind Me Satan (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In the closing scene of The White Stripes' documentary Under Great White Northern Lights, Meg is sitting at a piano beside Jack as he tinkles this song, tears rolling down her face. Mojo magazine asked Jack why Meg was crying. He replied: "I could venture to guess, but I don't think any of my guesses would come close to the real reason. Either way, it shows that she's alive and involved in the energy of what we put out together. That's what I could take from it."
  • The "Rita," who is mentioned in the song four times, is the actress Rita Hayworth, and glamor icon who was a star in the 1940s and '50s. In the song, Jack White ruminates on her life.

    The Get Behind Me Satan album was recorded at White's home in the Indian Village section of Detroit, and he had pictures of Hayworth all over the house. White also mentions her in the track "Take, Take, Take."
  • The original title was "White Moon and the Red-Headed Guest."
  • The crashing sound at 3:45 wasn't planned: that was Meg White's bells falling to the floor. Instead of killing the take, they kept going and left it in.

Comments: 2

  • Amanda from Los Angeles, CaRegardless of whom or what this song is about, every time I listen to it, I think of Meg :(
  • Brandon from Northeast, OhNear the end of the song (3:46 in the included video), you can hear a cymbal crash. Apparently, Meg accidentally dropped it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.