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Jack White Says Hit 'Seven Nation Army' Almost Overlooked as a Single

Jack White has said the anthemic 'Seven Nation Army' -- one of the key rock songs of the last decade -- was nearly overlooked as a single.

The White Stripes frontman told Xfm presenter Steve Harris how the song's qualities were almost passed over in favour of another song from parent album 'Elephant.'

"It's a compelling idea, thinking about singles," said White. "Nobody knows. Record labels don't know, artists don't really know most of the time. I can think back to when 'Elephant' came out I wanted to put 'Seven Nation Army' out as a single. The label in England and the label in America both didn't want to.

"They wanted to put 'There's No Room for You Here' ... can you imagine not putting 'Seven Nation Army' out as a single?"

The mind does indeed boggle ...

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William

I have never heard that song. The only thing I know about Jack White is that he IS NOT that A-hole Jack Black, who is one of the MANY contributing factors in ruining the 2005 King Kong movie.

April 03 2010 at 9:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AMusician

For those of you who are fans of classic rock, you should really check out more White Stripes, a lot of it is really cool fresh stuff.

I used to be the kind of guy who discounted the Stripes as a nothing band, when drawing comparisons to my faves like Jimi or Zep. Try and give De Stijl a listen, all the way through the album. It's cool stuff, lots of songs that most wouldn't have thought to write nor record.

Jack White is a real purist, those of you who saw "It Might Get Loud" know exactly what I'm talking about. The Stripes are just really raw, unprocessed originality. Jack is unlike most modern wanna be rockers, because he takes his biggest influences from the same guys the old hero's like Page or Jeff Beck did. He listens to Son House, Robert Johnson etc.

A fun fact:

No bass on this song, it's an extremely heavy strung guitar tuned way down.

And to those who've asked for a link to the song....there's this crazy new invention that's bound to change the world....it's called "Youtube". Not to be a dick, but come on, do a little legwork.

Cheers,

Travis

April 02 2010 at 2:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Harold The Part

Positively a desperate, juvenile pos.

April 02 2010 at 3:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dawn

I LOVE the White Stripes! I think they are amazing & I love this song too.

This is NOT an April Fools joke. Those who have not heard this song do not listen to rock/alternative music ... this has been a hit (& played) since 2003!

April 02 2010 at 2:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Erin

I'm wondering why people are asking where they can find the song when the link to the video is right in the article..

April 02 2010 at 1:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lethargic

The comments on this story are some of the saddest comments I've ever seen about anything.

April 01 2010 at 11:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BowieMichelle

This a CLASSIC! I'm an old 54 year old grandma and I love it! Thanks White Stripes! Detroit ROCKS!!

April 01 2010 at 11:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
todd

You've never heard it? Come on!! You know the White Stripes...the brother and sister band (along with a few other so-called musicians). The ones with the lovely, SCREAMING voices!!! Just like alot of those other alternative rock bands that merely scream words over too much guitar. April fools or not...not even worth a listen.

April 01 2010 at 10:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tyler

lol i had no idea this song was so well known. it is one of the only songs i have actually paid for :o

April 01 2010 at 10:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pennell

This is my favorite song by the White Stripes. The Oak Ridge Boys covered this song. I actually liked the version they did as well. I am a fan of music in general, not just rock or country, but I enjoy all styles of music. Life is too short to short-change yourself by listening to one or two styles..... enjoy it all!

April 01 2010 at 9:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply