“Seven Nation Army” Lyrics & Meaning (The White Stripes)

Seven Nation Army is one of the most recognizable songs ever.

There are few people alive who have not heard it.

Despite that, the Seven Nation Army lyrics meaning remains somewhat of a mystery.

While many people think they know what it means, Jack White actually had something completely different in mind when he wrote it.

Keep reading to find out what this song is actually about, and where the song title comes from.

 

Seven Nation Army Lyrics And Meaning

Seven Nation Army was a song released by The White Stripes in 2003 on their album Elephant. The band consisted of Jack White and Meg White.

The Duo married in 1996 but divorced 4 years later, in 2000. Thankfully, this divorce didn’t seem to have a negative impact on The White Stripes. They found true fame shortly after.

Seven Nation Army was written by Jack and it could be argued that the song is more famous for its guitar riff and drumbeat than the lyrics included in the track. Jack put together the guitar riff at the corner hotel in Melbourne while the band was on tour.

Jack originally wanted to keep the riff hidden away, potentially to be used for a James Bond film, before changing his mind and keeping it for The White Stripes. Jack made the correct choice.

The song peaked at number 7 on the UK charts and although it didn’t hit the ground running worldwide, that all changed down the line. Today, it is still a popular track over 20 years on.

Jack received his first two career Grammys with The White Stripes for this song and album. Seven Nation Army won Best Rock Song and the album it appeared on, Elephant, won Best Alternative Music Album.

Seven Nation Army is also ranked 286 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

The track has become a popular song to sing at sporting events. You can hear it in many football stadiums in the UK and worldwide, because the riff allows fans to sing along to the melody. It has featured in the European football championships, particularly at Euro 2012, when it was played every time a goal was scored in the tournament.

It has also been popular with fellow artists. It’s a common track used by many other artists to play at the start of their set to boost the atmosphere in the crowd. It has also been covered by famous artists such as Metallica, The Flaming Lips and Pitbull.

 

Seven Nation Army Lyrics

 

Verse 1

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

Chorus

And the message comin’ from my eyes says, “Leave it alone”

Verse 2

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

Chorus

And the feelin’ comin’ from my bones says, “Find a home”

Verse 3

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

Chorus

And the stains comin’ from my blood tell me, “Go back home”

 

Seven Nation Army Meaning

Many people have questioned the meaning behind Seven Nation Army over the years, with the lyrics being interpreted in different ways.

The first few lines of the song “I’m going to fight them off, A Seven Nation Army couldn’t hold be back” makes listeners believe the song is about standing up for what you believe and not backing down, even if it’s the opposite to what others believe.

The lyrics are powerful and inspiring, because we live in a world where things are out to get us in all areas of life. This songs provides courage to stay strong with what you believe in. However, that is not what White had in mind at all when he composed the lyrics.

Jack has since confirmed the true meaning in an interview with Rolling Stones. He stated “Seven Nation Army started out about two specific people I knew in Detroit. It was about gossip, the spreading of lies and the other person’s reaction to it. It came from a frustration of watching my friends do this to each other. In the end, it started to become a metaphor for things I was going through. But I never set out to write an expose on myself.”

You may still be wondering, like myself, where the title Seven Nation Army came from. The common belief is that is comes from Jack’s childhood, when he struggled to pronounce Salvation Army. If this is true, then his mispronunciation has served him well, because the name of the track is extremely memorable and only adds to the song’s popularity.

 

Seven Nation Army Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

Did you think the Seven Nation Army lyrics meaning had to do with standing up for yourself and never backing down? I’ll admit, that’s what I thought it was about, too.

I was surprised to learn differently, once I started looking into the song and its meaning. But I suppose it doesn’t really matter what Jack White was thinking of when he wrote the lyrics. As with all good songs, it can have whatever meaning we want it to have.