The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army Lyrics (2024)

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The White Stripes

About Seven Nation Army

"Seven Nation Army" is a song by American rock duo The White Stripes. It was released by XL Recordings and V2 Records in March 2003 as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Elephant, via 7-inch vinyl and CD formats. Written and produced by Jack White, the song consists of distorted vocals, a simple drumbeat, and a bass-like riff created by playing a guitar through a pitch shift effect. The song charted in multiple countries, and its success contributed to the popularity of the White Stripes and the garage rock revival movement. In addition to praising its riff and drumbeat, critics have ranked "Seven Nation Army" as one of the best songs of the 2000s decade. It won Best Rock Song at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, and a music video for the song directed by Alex and Martin won Best Editing in a Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. "Seven Nation Army" has become a sports anthem, commonly appearing in audience chants in which a series of "oh" sounds or the name of an athlete is sung to the tune of the song's riff. It has also served as a theme song for sports teams, personalities, and events, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The song has grown in popularity due to its usage in sports; its riff has been described as "ubiquitous", and the song has experienced increased commercial success, charting intermittently in multiple countries and receiving a gold certification from Germany's Federal Music Industry Association, a platinum certification from the Federation of the Italian Music Industry and a multi-platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry.more »


Year:
2014
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I'm gonna fight 'em allA seven nation army couldn't hold me backThey're gonna rip it offTaking their time right behind my backAnd I'm talking to myself at nightBecause I can't forgetBack and forth through my mindBehind a cigaretteAnd the message coming from my eyesSays leave it aloneDon't want to hear about itEvery single one's got a story to tellEveryone knows about itFrom the Queen of England to the hounds of hellAnd if I catch it coming back my wayI'm gonna serve it to youAnd that ain't what you want to hearBut that's what I'll doAnd the feeling coming from my bonesSays find a homeI'm going to WichitaFar from this opera for evermoreI'm gonna work the strawMake the sweat drip out of every poreAnd I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleedingRight before the lordAll the words are gonna bleed from meAnd I will sing no moreAnd the stains coming from my bloodTell me go back home

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The White Stripes

The White Stripes was an American rock duo, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of drummer Meg White (drums and occasional vocals) and songwriter Jack White (vocals, guitar, and keyboards). Meg and Jack White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced. After releasing several singles and three albums within the Detroit music scene, the White Stripes rose to prominence in 2002, as part of the garage rock revival scene. Their successful and critically acclaimed albums White Blood Cells and Elephant drew them attention from a large variety of media outlets in the United States and the United Kingdom, with the single "Seven Nation Army" and its now-iconic guitar riff becoming a huge hit. The band recorded a further two albums… more »

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Written by: John Anthony White

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

7 facts about this song

Composer

"Seven Nation Army" is a song originally composed by the American rock band, The White Stripes, consisting of singer/guitarist Jack White and drummer Meg White.

Cover version

The song was covered by British singer Marcus Collins, who released his version as a single in 2012.

Grammy success

The White Stripes won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for "Seven Nation Army" in 2004.

Memorable riff

The song is known for its iconic guitar riff, which was created using a guitar pedal that mimics a bass sound.

International success

"Seven Nation Army" reached the top 10 in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.

Sports anthem

The song has become a popular sports anthem, frequently played at stadiums and arenas around the world to pump up the crowd.

Cultural impact

"Seven Nation Army" has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials, solidifying its status as a rock classic.

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The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army Lyrics (2024)

FAQs

What is Seven Nation Army referring to? ›

Composition and lyrics

The title of the song comes from when Jack White, as a young child in Detroit, misheard "The Salvation Army" as "The Seven Nation Army". The song is driven by a riff that resembles the sound of a bass guitar.

Why is Seven Nation Army so catchy? ›

Seven Nation Army is best known for its distinctive riff, which acts the heartbeat of the song and makes it unmistakeable no matter where it's played. It has the effect of a bass line, but it was actually written on guitar and tuned down an octave, which is probably why it's so catchy by the time it reaches the climax.

Was there a real Seven Nation Army? ›

It's gonna get there. '” White called the tune “Seven Nation Army,” after his mispronunciation of the Salvation Army as a kid. The title was not supposed to stick but was simply intended as a placeholder until he crafted some lyrics.

Who is the original singer of Seven Nation Army? ›

"Seven Nation Army" (also stylized as "7 Nation Army") is a song by American rock duo the White Stripes. It was released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Elephant, in March 2003, and reached number one on the Alternative Songs chart for three weeks in a row.

Why do football fans chant Seven Nation Army? ›

Why is 'Seven Nation Army' a football chant? The reason why 'Seven Nation Army' has become such a signature stadium song is, in part, due to the catchiness and legacy status of the song itself. The first seven notes are iconic, instantly recognisable by anyone, rock music fan or not.

Why did The White Stripes break up? ›

The split was due to a "myriad of reasons" but artistic differences were not to blame – and neither were health issues: "Both Meg and Jack are feeling fine." They said the split was instead "mostly" attributable to their desire to "preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way ...

What happened to The White Stripes? ›

The band released two more albums, Get Behind Me Satan (2005) and Icky Thump (2007), and the documentary Under Great White Northern Lights (2009), before dissolving in 2011 after a lengthy hiatus from performing and recording.

What happened to Meg White? ›

She resides in Detroit. White suffers from acute anxiety, and has described herself as "very shy".

Are Jack and Meg White siblings? ›

Meg and Jack White were married before they formed a band

They may have concocted the siblings story as a gimmick when they formed the band in 1997, but they officially became Jack and Meg White a when they married a year before on 21 September 1996.

What is Jack White famous for? ›

Singer, songwriter, producer, and label owner Jack White is best known as one-half of The White Stripes, the Detroit duo – consisting of Jack and former wife Meg White – that dressed exclusively in red, black, and white and played a garage-rock version of the Delta blues.

Why does the Seven Nation Army mention Wichita? ›

Its fairly commonly known that The White Stripes' tune “Seven Nation Army” references Wichita in its third verse when it says “I'm going to Wichita… to work the straw.” Less known is that lead singer Jack White wrote the song about the pressures of fame, citing Wichita as his escape fantasy.

Who won a Grammy for Seven Nation Army? ›

White earned his first two career GRAMMYs with the White Stripes for Best Alternative Music Album (Elephant) and Best Rock Song ("Seven Nation Army").

How rich is Jack White? ›

Jack White's net worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, the American singer, songwriter, and producer has a net worth of $60 million. He has accumulated most of his wealth through his singing career, but he's also a businessperson.

How does Jack White play in the Seven Nation Army? ›

In addition to the 'bass' line, White plays the same riff with his Kay hollowbody using a slide to play jangly, mildly overdriven chords, and he performs a raucous overdubbed slide solo with ripping distortion courtesy of an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal (White places the Big Muff after the Whammy).

What is Seven Nation Army tuned to? ›

The tuning that Jack White uses in "Seven Nation Army" is open A tuning. That is, starting from the 6th string, E A E A C# E. So basically, just tune up the D G and B strings up a whole-step from standard tuning. This tuning is what makes the slide guitar parts possible.

What notes are used in the Seven Nation Army? ›

Playing “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes

Play the bass riff as the individual notes: E, G, D, A, B, C, G. Practice the riff by sliding your finger on the guitar neck. Play the chord progression for the verse: E, G, D, C, B. Adjust the settings on your amp for a grittier sound.

Where are The White Stripes from? ›

The White Stripes was a two-person rock band from Detroit, Michigan that has added to the lexicon of Detroit sound. Formed in 1997, members were Meg White (drums and occasional vocals) and songwriter Jack White (vocals, guitar, and keyboards).

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