LogFAQs > #956148832

114. The White Stripes Seven Nation Army (2003)
from the album Elephant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY

Key lyrics:
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will sing no more

Being born in 1992, I got to grow up through what might have been rocks final mainstream hurrah. Pop rock bands achieve spotlight status now and again, but Seven Nation Army feels like the last hit of true guitar-driven rock and roll. This is a minimalist masterpiece, striking in its ability to make you ignore its simplicity. There are only two instruments on display here the definitive bass riff is actually the guitar, explaining why the two sounds never coexist. This results in a simple yet effective structure. The verses are all about the pseudo-bass and Meg Whites hypnotic thump, while the instrumental interludes shift into explosive guitar solos.

This structure explains the wide appeal. Seven Nation Army was easy to digest in the pop sphere, but rock enthusiasts were rightfully blown away by Jack Whites godlike skills. After the early 70s, it became increasingly rare for rock songs to be built around a simple riff. To stand out, most bands had to explore more complex elements there are only so many riffs that can stand alone, and bands like The Rolling Stones and The Kinks seemed to have milked it dry. Jack White managed to drag rock back to its simple roots while mimicking the grandiosity of arena rock. The fact this is nothing more than a guitar and drum set is truly staggering.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/