Top Ten Songs by the White Stripes

One of the new Millennium's best groups, the White Stripes combine catchy, simple melodies with sheepish, sing-song vocals and lyrics into delight songs. Five studio albums have originated from this power duo (Jack and Meg White-a formerly married couple from Detroit, Michigan) and I have enjoyed each and every one of them. Here are some of my personal highlights, a list of the top ten songs by the White Stripes.

10) "St. James Infirmary Blues"

Off of the groups self-entitled, 1999 release, "St. James Infirmary Blues" is a haunting cover of an old song (Louie Armstrong has an equally glorious, but different version). Jack White's voice lends this song the proper notes of sorrow it deserves and it set-ups the simplicity of the White Stripe's music, a few chords and a strong melody. Just an incredible cover.

9) "Hello Operator"

De Stijl, the White Stripes 2000 release, is without question my favorite record from the Stripes. The rawness of sound and passion are highlighted in this track. "Hello Operator" also showcases Jack as the good guitarist he is (for other examples of this see: "Death Letter" and "Truth Doesn't Make a Noise"), a fact that is often lost in the simplicity of other songs.

8) "Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground"

The album that rocketed the White Stripes into pop culture was 2001's release, White Blood Cells. The song that did it was "Fell in Love with a Girl," but the song that hooked me was "Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground." It's catchy and unique at the same time, which seems to carry a good deal of the appeal for the Stripes-taking something familiar and lending a new sound to it. This song accomplishes all of that.

7) "My Doorbell"

From the White Stripes newest issue, Get Behind Me Satan, this song is one of the catchiest from a catchy group. The simple, plodding drumbeat and sparse chords wrap around a pleasing refrain of, "I'm thinking about my doorbell, when you gonna ring, when you gonna ring it." The song flat-out works, it feels fresh and gets you're toe tapping at the same time.

6) "One More Cup of Coffee"

Again a cover. Again from the debut, self-entitled album. This Bob Dylan song sounds so much better in the voice of Jack White and the spaces in between the notes (of which there are many) intensify the chilling nature of this song. A definitive White Stripes song from the pen of a defining artist.

5) "Ball and Biscuit"

Although the 2003 release of Elephant is my least favorite album, the song "Ball and Biscuit" is a incredibly versatile and enjoyable performance. Longer than most Stripe songs by about 5 minutes, the song showcases the musical artistry of a group that is not granted much credit in that department. It's got a great beat and perfect lyrics. A keeper.

4) "I'm Bound to Pack it Up"

From De Stijl, this song illustrates the beauty of the White Stripes. The chords are pretty and light, the tone much darker, with Jack White's voice straddling the two extremes. A great song should contain the good and the bad of life, and this one captures it right on the money.

3) "Same Boy You've Always Known"

This is the song, from the White Blood Cells album, that made me a devoted Stripes fan. It's a very short song with an innocence that is virtually priceless. A truly wonderful ditty.

2) "Your Southern Can is Mine"

The last track of De Stijl is my favorite from the album. The song just catches something so perfectly. Jack and Meg White are able to blend old styles in new and interesting ways and this could be the best example of that principle at work.

1) "Denial Twist"

From the Stripe's Get Behind Me Satan, this, in my opinion is one of the best songs ever written. Musical composition might be spare, but the song works as well as any I've ever heard. Seriously. It is a distillation of the White Stripes and goes down just like a shot of bourbon.