Black Math
From Stripespedia
Contents |
Releases
- Elephant (2003)
- Under Great White Northern Lights (2010)
- Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights) (2004)
Other Appearances
- Covered by Beck live.
Credits
Performers
- Jack White: electric guitar, voice
- Meg White: drums
Production
- Originally recorded by The White Stripes.
- Written by Jack White.
- Produced and mixed by Jack White and Liam Watson.
- Recorded November 2001/April 2002 at Toe Rag Studios in Hackney, East London.
Meaning
Band Quotes
- Jack White: "I was thinking about a time in high school when I turned my books in to the math teacher and said, "I refuse to learn from you any more." The song's about asking questions. A lot of people are taught just to regurgitate information. People don't care if you learn anymore. Opinion gets trampled on."
Trivia
- Usually played as the first or second song in a White Stripes concert.
Lyrics
Don't you think that I'm bound to react now? Well, my fingers definitely turning to black now. Yeah, maybe I'll put my love on ice and teach myself; maybe that'll be nice, yeah. My books are sitting at the top of the stack now. Well, the longer words are really breaking my back now. Yeah, maybe I'll learn to understand, a-drawing a square with a pencil in hand, yeah. Mathematically turning the page, unequivocally showing my age, I'm practically center-stage, undeniably earning your wage. Well, maybe I'll put my love on ice, and teach myself. Maybe that'll be nice, yeah. Listen, master, can you answer a question? Is it the fingers or the brain that you're teaching a lesson? Oh, I can't tell you how proud I am, writing down things that I don't understand. Well, maybe I'll put my love on ice and teach myself. Maybe that'll be nice, yeah.
Video
Recorded on 4/16/2003 at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.