One of my early favourite White Stripes song is track 2 from their debut album. The heavier version of Robert Johnson's blues number was one of the most retrospectively acclaimed tracks from the record, and brings an anticipation for the short guitar phrase that follows each "Stop Breaking Down!".
34. Apple Blossom - De Stijl
Recently featured on Tarantino's The Hateful Eight soundtrack, Apple Blossom is a good representative of the lighter side of the White Stripes. I once saw Jack playing it to a few mothers with their kids (Great White Northern Lights?) and it made me realise that it's both a lullabye, and grows into a tower of music. I always thought it was in an awkward spot on the album though - designated as the segue from Little Bird and I'm Bound To Pack It Up
33. Effect and Cause - Icky Thump
Simple. The final track on the Stripes' last album is Effect and Cause. An acoustic tune all about arguments and how people switch the effect that they created to cause their own sorrow. Jack puts it much more eloquently. It's a nice track, but leaves me unsatisfied - the last track in White Stripes history is Effect and Cause. It just doesn't seem right. It doesn't feel like a closing track - but fun nonetheless.
32. Screwdriver - The White Stripes
The most popular tune from their first album is a great summing up of the early White Stripes. In your face lyrics that imply some sort of battle is going down. A fantastic sounding break between verses. A hysterical feeling when playing it live. Even the name - Screwdriver. There's nothing more garage rock than a fucking screwdriver.
31. The Nurse - Get Behind Me Satan
Once I heard this song I was so done with the White Stripes. I was listening to Get Behind Me Satan for the first time in its full length. I had heard that the record was a step down after Elephant, and it's all very experimental, but I wasn't expecting something as weird and disjointed as The Nurse. It was a truly bizzare experience, but now I've warmed to it, and recognised it's a much sweeter song than first appears to be. A great Track 2 to GBMS.
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