12:00 a.m. (c)
[Pre-Chorus]
And the message comin' from my eyes says, "Leave it alone"
When The White Stripes first broke out onto the scene it was thought that Jack White and Meg White were brother-and-sister. Later on it was revealed that they are not related but, in fact, ex-husband and wife!. It is a subject Jack White does not like to talk about in interviews, so this line could be hinting at his reluctancy to discuss it.
[Instrumental Chorus]
“Seven Nation Army” is dominated by its iconic main riff, played incessantly throughout the song (with the exception of the two-bar pre-Chorus that immediately precedes the instrumental chorus).
Throughout each verse, starting with its respective intro, the riff is repeated on simulated single bass note – which is actually Jack White’s electric guitar filtered through an effects pedal that sounds the notes an octave lower. The familiar tones of the electric guitar are not heard until the brief chords in the pre-chorus build up to the riff/chorus, which is loudly played in all of its six string slide guitar glory.
Ironically, this is not only Jack White’s most famous riff, but is his most sung chorus, as millions of sports fans worldwide demonstrate throughout the year.
***
[Verse 2]
Don't want to 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"
This could be speaking to how Jack started to feel a little irritated when news started to spread about his divorce with Meg. He feels like everyone knows about it, and it’s all they ever talk about when it comes to The White Stripes, even though they put their differences aside to focus on the music.
In an interview Jack claimed that his relationship with Meg was an open secret. They claimed to be siblings to keep the focus on the music rather than the couple’s relationship:
“When you see a band that is two pieces, husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, you think, "Oh, I see…” When they’re brother and sister, you go, “Oh, that’s interesting.” You care more about the music, not the relationship—whether they’re trying to save their relationship by being in a band"
"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"
He’s going to kick the ass of the next person who brings up the topic referenced in the prior verse. This verse also introduces the theme, continued to the end of the song, of feeling he is without a home and retreating from his current situation to a safer world.
[Instrumental Chorus]
[Guitar Solo]
