Top 10 The White Stripes Songs

Displaying Jack White’s multi-instrumental abilities, this track houses memorable piano riffs and subtle background percussion. It’s also a great display of the vocalist and guitarist’s partnership with drummer Meg White, as she lays down the foundation while Jack adds some body to the tune. In addition to being accompanied by a cool black-and-white music video, “My Doorbell” was also nominated for a Grammy.

Known for its hypnotic drumbeat and quotable chorus, “The Hardest Button to Button” hit the top 40 of the UK Singles chart and the top 10 of U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. Talking about the struggle of growing up with multiple siblings, it has Meg leading on the drums and Jack throwing in simple riffs and snappy chords, which ultimately results in a smooth and memorable beat throughout.

Arguably one of the band’s most simplistic tracks musically and symbolically; “We’re Going to Be Friends” encapsulates the childhood fear of going to school. In addition to the character Suzy Lee being reportedly based on one of Jack White’s real-life boyhood crushes, the promo single also features many other familiar nods to growing up, such as walking the school hallways and chasing bugs. Beautiful, straightforward and honest, this folk rock tune is truly from the heart.

Led by a hair-raising and distortion-filled intro, “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” is notable for its raw and stripped back sound. Ultimately a song about love and relationships, it features descriptive vocals, heavy chord progressions and a catchy guitar rhythm that is met with Meg’s drumming dropping in and out. Although simply structured, this song shows how the duo truly understands the dynamics of songwriting.

Used as the band’s first-ever commercial single release, “Hotel Yorba” is named after an actual hotel in southwest Detroit. Featuring a simple but upbeat chord progression, the White Blood Cells track gives off a country vibe that’s complemented by Jack White’s soulful vocals. Though many of the tunes off their third album are thunderous and electric, this song is a fairly distinctive entry in the White Stripes’ discography.

If any White Stripes song is gonna get your foot tapping, it’s this one. As Get Behind Me’s first single, “Blue Orchid” is layered with a deep and bass-y guitar riff that’s met with metronome-style drumming. While it displays some of the band’s trademark features, like screechy vocals and punk blues mixed with garage rock, it also showed the duo was having fun with experimentation, which was typical of their fifth record.

Touching on issues like immigration, the title cut from The White Stripes’ sixth and last record is one of the band’s most varied tracks. From its snake charmer-esque electronic keyboard to its chunky guitar riff, “Icky Thump” has multiple changes in tempo and tone, making it radically different from their previous work. Based in garage rock with elements of blues and noise rock, the single topped the American Modern Rock chart and peaked within the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A simple-yet-captivating 12-bar blues structure makes this song one of the band’s most memorable. Encompassing things such as drugs and sex, “Ball and Biscuit” features a series of verses surrounded by multiple solo intervals, showing off Jack White’s erratic guitar playing. Although it wasn’t released as a single from Elephant, it’s often considered one of White’s best compositions and is a notable fan favorite.

This song about untrustworthy love mixes thick chord progressions with Jack White’s characteristic quick-lipped lyrics. Despite being less than 2 minutes long, the top 40 UK hit has been highly acclaimed. That’s not surprising, considering “Fell in Love with a Girl” mixes everything that is great about the electric sound of garage music with the charisma of The White Stripes. And let’s not forget its memorable Michel Gondry-directed LEGO music video.

Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- “Hello Operator” De Stijl (2000)
- “Black Math” Elephant (2003)
- “The Denial Twist” Get Behind Me Satan (2005)
- “300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues” Icky Thump (2007)
- “I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself” Elephant (2003)

This is the tune that left alternative rock fans’ heads spinning. The first track on the band’s fourth album, “Seven Nation Army” is renowned for its unforgettable core riff, guitar solo, and killer music video. Though it only cracked the Billboard Hot 100, the tune topped the Modern Rock Tracks chart and won the pair a Grammy. Thanks to its anthemic nature and rockin’ atmosphere, the four-minute number has also become a crowd favorite at sporting events.

Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite song from the Detroit duo? For more invigorating Top Tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.