Album: Elephant (2003)

Charted: 7 76

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• I'm gonna fight 'em off
  A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
  They're gonna rip it off
  Takin' their time right behind my back
  And I'm talkin' to myself at night
  Because I can't forget
  Back and forth through my mind
  Behind a cigarette
  
  And the message comin' from my eyes
  Says, "Leave it alone"
  
  Don't wanna hear about it
  Every single one's got a story to tell
  Everyone knows about it
  From the Queen of England to the Hounds of Hell
  And if I catch it comin' back my way
  I'm gonna serve it to you
  And that ain't what you want to hear
  But that's what I'll do
  
  And the feelin' comin' from my bones
  Says, "Find a home"
  
  I'm goin' to Wichita
  Far from this opera forevermore
  I'm gonna work the straw
  Make the sweat drip out of every pore
  And I'm bleedin', and I'm bleedin', and I'm bleedin'
  Right before the Lord
  All the words are gonna bleed from me
  And I will think no more
  
  And the stains comin' from my blood
  Tell me, "Go back home" Writer/s: John Anthony White
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 68

• Gary from Slough, Mighty EnglandYou missed out the fact that it is big in darts as Michael van Gerwen's walk-on song. Van Gerwen is one of the best players in the world.
• Elaine from UkStephen from Utah:
  Didn't you read the article before commenting? The lyricist literally said what the connection to salvation army was. Make up what you like: even if it sounds more logical than the truth it doesn't become the truth.
• Getstickedbugged from Yh@Brian from California
  That's exactly not what the salvation army is trying to prevent lol.
• Brian from CaliforniaI originally thought it was Starvation Army, and I still call it that.
• Stephen from UtahNot sure where you got the reference to the Salvation Army but the Seven Nations have always referred to the Seven Celtic Nations. As he was raised by a Scottish-Canadian Catholic father my guess is he was not referring to Street Musicians with bells. He was probably referring to Celtic heritage in short tempers and steadfastness. For those keeping score the Seven Celtic Nations are Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Mann, Cornwall, Wales, Galacia, & Brittany.
• Melinda from AustraliaAs someone else has already commented the Italian (Roma) football (soccer) fans use Seven Nation Army as their stadium anthem. At least their own version of it. BUT also the Blue Army of Club Brugge football fans sang their fan anthem version of it first.
  It became the most significant unofficial anthem song for the Italian fans at the 2006 UEFA World Cup. Del Piero sang it in the celebrations. Jack White stated he was honoured the Italian soccer fans had adopted it. As an aside, Italian football fans are unique in that they are the most extreme for Football hooliganism. My son told me they were even banned from their home games. That’s chronic.
• Jason from UkCheckout track by CONFLICT 'Mighty and Superior" from the 80s phrased differently. But CONFLICT originally came up with this riff. Theres no suggestion at all that Jack White 'stole/borrowed" it though.
• Benjamin from WhyMe and my friends are doing this song for a talent show at our school. it sounds good, but were substituting the guitar with a bass and two other guitarists are playing the distorted part.
• Rick from West Chester, PaThe greatest stadium guitar riff ever.
• Rocky from Tulsa, OkBack in 2003 when Seven Nation Army was released, I was 7 years old. I still love the song. My oldest brother bought "Elephant" in 2003 and I learned the song from it. In the ten years since then, I still hear it played on some alternative rock radio stations here in Oklahoma and even in northwest Arkansas. It's still so cool. Now, Jack White has released a new CD called "Lazaretto" but I haven't heard or bought it yet. Also, I know that Songfacts lists the song as peaking at #76 according to Billboard, but on the Billboard site they have it listed on their Modern Rock charts for 2003 as a #1 hit. So why not show that on your "facts" as well? A lot of kids look to the Modern Rock charts too nowadays.
• Rocky from Fort Smith, ArGotta say I love this song and have for years. It's just got a great feel and beat to it. Brings back good memories of high school too. When their album "Elephant" came out, my cousin Juicy got it then I did too. Like that screwy broad from Memphis, Bubbles K, I'm nuts about the White Stripes, but I think they done folded. And just like "Bubbles K" - I'm a goin' to Wichita!
• Bubblesk from Memphis, TnOooweee! I loved this song when it came out in the early 2000's and I love it now. "I'm going to Wichita..." Until I read it on SongFacts, I didn't know the band didn't use a bass guitar in the recording. This song is magnetic---the drums, guitar, lyrics, & Jack's vocals all draw you into the song. That's why I am nuts over The White Stripes' music. Gotta have more. "I'm going to Wichita........!!!"
• Ariadne from Porto Alegre, BrazilThe soccer team I root here in my hometown, Porto Alegre (Brazil), also uses the riff in an anthem sung by the team fans during the matches. The color of the shirts are red and white, just like everything about the White Stripes, and the anthem consists in the repetition of the words "rolo compressor" (i.e. road roller), nickname of the team during the 70's, when they had great victories.
• Cj from Oak Creek, WiThe really funny thing is, he said he planned to use this as the next James Bond theme, but abandoned the idea and released the song. Jack White wrote the James Bond theme for Quantum of Solace. :D
• Megan from Stevenson, AlI love everything there is about this song! I love how its just the guitar, then the drums, then jack....Amazing!! Best song they ever made!
• Brandon from West Columbia, ScYeah, i agree with Will, beginners made it drop their popularity big time, but still, all in all a very good song for just two musicians...
• Johua from Sydney, Australiajack whits is half a gooda lyrically a bob dylan but twice a gooda music writer and then with the guitar Bob Dylan doesn't stand a chance so in my opinion jack white is better the bob dylan.i dont think i can give any bigger compliment
• Janduran from Slipknot, Iain the video when Jack White points to his hand as he begins the third verse, he's showing you where he is from. The state of Michigan is shaped like a mitten and people in the state often point to a spot on their hand when asked where they are from. (thanks, Angelo - Detroit, MI)
  
  ACTUALLY, the BOTTOM HALF of Michigan is like a mitten...don't forget the Upper Peninsula: aka the Yoop! :-P
• Nick from Seattle, AlbaniaMy band coverd this song and its so fun to sing, jack has so much dramma in his voice!
  
  and Josef, Corpus Christi, TX i totaly agree with you!
• Bobbie from Phoenix, AzYou wanna hear something really weird, listen to The Oak Ridge Boys version of this song. They are usually Country/Gospel, so this song is WAYYY out for them but they rock it...
• Nathan Ritz from Marengo , Inthe white stripes drummer is HOTT!!! this is a good song but "Get behind me satan" is a hell of a lot better
• Alex from Hometown, Pahah, the James Bond thing made me laugh. He just did "Another Way to Die" with Alecia Keys. :)
• Alan from Iowa, IaTo Dylan: It's Open A tuning, but if you don't have an octave pedal and you want to play the verse without a bass, you have to tune the bottom string to a B.
• Trent from Ft. Lauderdale, Fli wonder if the ppl who dis this song for being "too easy to play" also think Wish You Were Here by PF is unimpressive
• Al from Sudbury, On@ Dylan: White uses a Digitech WHAMMY IV pedal. Only pedal that allows you to play parts that you would otherwise need a bass for.
• Isabelle from St. Paul, MnThe first time I heard this song was during my school's remake of Romeo and Juliet. The first thought that popped in my head was 'Why have I never heard this before?!?' It is a freakishly amazing song. Not the best I've hered, mind you, but pretty darn good. For those of you who say you can do better or that it's too simple, that's too bad. They made it first. They get the credit. They rock. :)
• Dylan from Clinton, InI almost forgot. does anyone know what effects pedal he uses
• Dylan from Clinton, InThis song is great. Does anyone know what the tuning is? I think it is rele weird?
• /alix\ from Pinkerton, MiThis is an awesome song, and the music video is awesome.
• Dan from Mexico, MoHey, white stripes have a chick drummer. Meg White
• Rebekah :) from Knoxville, Tnsong + video = hypnotic.
• Kiran from Shelton, Ctamazing song. first song i learned when iwas working with power chords. the slide from frets 7-10 made it difficult but not super hard
• Denise from Nisland, Sdso my boyfriend and his band do this song, and omg they are so amazing, my bf sings and im not even gonna lie i think they may do it better than the white stripes. hate me if u will but seriously. just had to throw that out there. AWESOME AMAZING AND ENTHRALLING SONG, basically.
• Jeeves from Dc, Dcfirst song i learned on guitar i love it
• Kika from Nyc, NyThis song has become like a second national anthem for italians. after a soccer match, totti sang the opening riff, and ever since then, it has become a crazy overly used cheer. unfortunatly i don't think the white stripes don't get much credit for it, oh well.
• Jeef from San Francisco, CaI don't think you can judge a song by the way its made, or a musician by the notes they can play. It's about the way it sounds. If you cant write a good song than wheres the good in being able to play one? This song is simple and catchy.
• Thomas from Suisun City, CaPeople say Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" sucks based only on the guitar riff being copied by beginning guitarists. I think it makes the riff that much better: because there are people who WANT to copy it. If it's so easy and stupid, why would you imitate it?
  It's easy to imitate a mime, but would you want to? No. If you find something easy to imitate that people will WANT to imitate, you've struck gold.
• Jon from Oakridge, OrYou know what else is funny? Some people say what a joke this song is due to its easy riff. Well, if a song is judged solely on the difficulty of the guitar riff than I would love to hear some of your guys music, see if it's hit material. Just because it's simple to play doesn't mean it's not a great song. I shouldn't have to list all the songs that are good, with a simple riff.
• Jon from Oakridge, OrI disregard all Rolling Stones. Just like I do all Grammys and Academy Awards and so forth. Take a look at some of their lists and who's on them. Who's recieved awards and who hasn't. It's a F*#$ing JOKE.
• Charlie from Fort Wayne, In The reason he is a guitar god is han can write the stuff. My brother can play just like any of these also great guitar players but he can't write catchy riffs. Jack white just like keith richards love music so much the right catchy riffs and thats why they were high on the list
• Josef from Corpus Christi, TxI like The Flaming Lips cover of this song...All should give it a listen.
• Josef from Corpus Christi, TxJack whites inability to show off as a guitar god shouldn't be a reason to persecute him as a top musician as many put him up to be. Come on people even the man himself doesn't consider to be the guitar god like many say. It's not about how good you can play, anybody with money and time can learn how to play like Yngwie Malmsteen, but rather it's about how much passion you have as a musician, and how much creativity you have as well. Not everybody can create a simple riff and make it so friggin rock like he does... Try it and I then I'll believe you...
  
• Dan from Lee, NhAngus Young he knows how to play like for chords
• Bill from Dallas, Txi agree with Derek, there is no way that Jack White is a better player than Eddie Van Halen or Angus Young, and as a matter of fact, i don't like that list at all, i get rolling stone, but i mean, they could've made it right.
• Tom from Brisbane, Australiameg white is acutally a robot
• Tasha from London, Englandi love this song, no one can ever forget its beat or its lyrics! :P
• Daniel from Edinburgh, England"no better than the average guitar player" ?!... do you even play guitar? have a watch of the Under Blackpool Lights DVD and watch him play death letter where jacks prowess is evident... if you still doubt me... jack will be appearing with jimmy page for guitar world magazine feature in february.
• Derek from Brampton, CanadaGood song, but Jack White is no better then an average guitar player and it was laughable that he made it anywhere near the Rolling Stone's top 100 list. Good song average players. I couldn't believe the people he was placed ahead of, it made the entire list a joke!
• Rozzy from Toronto, CanadaThe beginner guitarists only add to the song. Their poor, off-key covers make "Seven Nation Army" sound even better! What's more, I love the fact that there was a time when if you couldn't play the riff, it was probably because you had never picked up a guitar in your life!
• Rozzy from Toronto, CanadaThe biginner guitarists only add to the song. Their poor, off-key covers make "Seven Nation Army" sound even better! What's more, I love the fact that there was a time when if you couldn't play the riff, it was probably because you had never picked up a guitar in your life!
• Bert from Pueblo, NmI love the video. Does it remind anyone else of the psychadelic boat from the original Willy Wonka?
• Dan from Lee, NhI love the riff! But why aren't more people posting on White Stripe's songs?
• Danny from Sydney, AustraliaWhat a riff
• Matt from London, Englandand 'girl, you have no faith in medichine' does rock fooking hard at the end of elephant album. oh yeh and im seeing them on Nov 5th, at hammersmith apollo, and i no ur jelous!!! :)
• Matt from London, EnglandThis is to jake from sydney, it doesnt still sound awsome even though it was recorded reel to reel, it is awsome because its recorded reel to reel!! but as you know it sounds awsome i'll let you off.
• Ryan from Fullerton, CaIt's Good, But "Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine" is their best song.
• Todd from Salisbury, Mdi dont see why any one wouldn't like this song it rocks all earth and underworlds
• Alejandro from Mexico D.f., Mexicocovered by audioslave, metallica, flaming lips and many others
• Ashley from Moncton, CanadaThe White Stripes have such great guitar riffs
• Chase from Pasadena, CaThat video drives me to drink! Good song.
• Jake from Sydney, Australiathe album was recorded on old eight track reel to reel, but it still sounds bloody awesome. top record.
• Bizgotti from Toronto, Canadaelephant is a brilliant record, using the old school tech. it's still ahead of its time.
• Nathan from Ohsweken, Canadawell beginner guitarists have to play to will!!!!
• Leona from Edinburgh, ScotlandI found the first fact about this song quite amusing because my best mate actually thought the lyrics to the song were "a salvation army couldn't hold me back." Whenever I listen to the song now I get these images in my head of dozens of old men with walking sticks trying to keep Jack White at bay!!
• Fungus from Here, ScotlandNot quite half a century, but it was all 40 years old, every single piece of it!!!!
• Chris from Philadelphia, PaI heard that they recorded this entire album on equipment that was over a half-century old.
• Jonathan Horgan from Cork, IrelandWill from Portland ic Correct great song ruined by beginer guitarists like myself its just too easy to play
• Will from Portland, Orthis song is good, but beginner guitarists ruined the opening riff! And it was such a good riff too

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