Jack White
“Over and Over and Over”
limited edition one-sided tri-color, 200 something copies pressed, complete with custom picture sleeve that will be slightly different from the standard released version
Do you guys know how pumped I am?
For the record, I first heard this monster riff in 2005 at Jack’s house while he and Meg were recording “Get Behind Me Satan.”
I am pretty sure that the “Blue Orchid” riff pre-dates this one by a few days, but in my mind, they exist hand-in-hand. While “Blue Orchid” smashed that recording process wide open and gave Jack the inspiration to make that album as bad ass as possible, THIS riff, inarguably, is ten times stronger. I feel like Jack was originally calling it “Thermonuclear Counter-Thrust” but maybe I’m just imagining that. I can find no contemporaneous documentation of that name.
There are two takes of demo recordings of this song from 2005 (with the riff played solely on fuzz bass). There are demo recordings from 2007 with the White Stripes trying it in rehearsal leading up to the tracking of the “Icky Thump” album. Imagine the guitar profile more in line with the octave-pedaled presence of the song “Icky Thump” and that’s a good start for understanding the 2007 version. I guess the Raconteurs tried it but I never heard any evidence, same with the Dead Weather. It was apparently the main track that Jack and Jay-Z worked on together in 2009, under the title “Ray Bans” or “Behind My Ray Bans” and although I’ve never heard that working, I’m told to imagine the phrase “Behind my Ray Bans” to coincide with the last five notes of the riff.
As Jack has already said, this had been his white whale. We sincerely considered including the ’07 demo as part of the “Icky Thump X” Vault package last year. I have no recollection of Jack ever previously giving me such an impassioned plea…”I just really think we shouldn’t put this on the Vault” he said. My response was pretty matter-of-factly, “Well, it’s your label, so please don’t feel like you have to convince me.” Maybe he was trying to convince himself?
Regardless, at the end of 2017 when Jack finally had played me this version you hear now, upon the end of the song, I looked at him and said “I’ve been waiting twelve years to hear this song with lyrics.”
The final version of this song is everything I’d ever dreamed it would be. It is my favorite moment on the album, with the coda to “Humoresque” being a close second. I cannot wait to see this monster unleashed unto a sell-out crowd at Little Caesar’s Arena, a stone’s throw away from the Gold Dollar where this whole mess got started.
I’ve got an extra copy of this limited tri-color to give away here. AUTOGRAPHED by Jack White, today, explicitly for this purpose. Don’t use my give-away here as an excuse to miss going to any number of the listening parties we’re throwing at record stores worldwide though. Even though we’re giving away tri-colors at the listening parties, none of those will be autographed. Man we spoil you kids.
As for the giveaway, post a comment, can be about whatever, but maybe talk about a significant wait you’ve endured in life. Can be funny, pithy, in iambic pentameter, whatever. The “best” comment will be solely determined by me. Please chime in by noon central time on Tuesday, March 13th.
***WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED***
I found $5 on the floor earlier, maybe my luck can continue?
In 2007, I saw the film Death Proof and dreamed of having an early 70s Nova from the time Stuntman Mike prowled on to the screen in all his satin-clad, scarred glory. Being only 21 and in school, it was a pipe dream. I studied art in school and found my way to a career and 10 short years and hundreds of viewings of Death Proof later, I was able to save enough and buy a ’72 Nova and have a piece of American and Detroit Muscle to cruise the streets of California in.
My longest wait was last year after relocating 500 miles from my family. The wife and kids needed to finish the school year, so I spent four months “Alone in my Home.” Luckily, I had a turntable, found some great new shops and kept busy until we were reunited.
As a school librarian I try to practice patience with my students. They are so used to instant gratification and it is not their fault. They live in a world where they can purchase things or retrieve information in a matter of seconds. I like to be a calming presence around them when they are completely stressed out or at their most anxious. I feel like I can help them realize that having to take a deeper look at a topic more than they expected is not the end of the world. In fact, taking the time and having the patience to explore different thoughts and ideas may open their minds to new interests. The time and effort put into something they created brings results that are well worth the wait. I am amazed every day with the writing and ideas they come up with.
Every time a new song from this album is released, I go home after work so myself and my 9 year old brother can listen to it. I get a kick out of him as he giggles when the bongos start. He has such an interesting reaction to the different sounds in these songs.
As for a long wait, the wait for this record has been ridiculous for me. Every song I hear just makes me want it more!
Remember when I first heard The White Stripes. I was around 5 years old and my mom had bought Elephant after seeing them on SNL. Ever since then I have been listening to Jack’s career. Hell, I’m investing in vinyl because of Jack now. Jack’s music has been such a huge chunk of my life, he is the like the Bowie of my generation. Always reinventing himself with each album or music group while alwaysvstaying true to the blues.
Feb. 3rd 2015, I landed at Las Vegas with the phrase ‘alright Las Vegas let’s lose our money and lose our mind!’ looping on my mind. Jack shout that when the White Stripes played here. So I indulged myself with drinks and gambles and more drinks that night alone, night before Jack’s last show of that leg. Next day after 12 hours in line, get in and stood for another two three hours before Jack came out around 11 or somthing. I was tired after previous trips and all, then that phrase started looping again. Then Jack and the bands stormed in, I was alive again. I sung every single words and jumped up and down until last note. Jack walked towards my direction after the show ended, gave me a nod, handed somthing to me. He made sure it’s my hand and release it to me. He hold it very tightly I clearly remember. It’s his slide. People around me started freaking out more than myself and congratuates me, hugging me. Hour later I sat outside the venue on the roadside recovering from Jack’s nod and that slide. Out of nowwhere a roadie noticed me and asked “hey were you at the second row?” I said yes and he replied “yeah Jack was talking about you… He said you were singing every words.” I waited so long to meet Jack in person and that moment I believe, is way better.
Longest wait? Have you ever tried getting a pint in a Dublin pub on St Patrick’s Day?
I heard that Jack White was playing at the Orpheum in Madison on the radio so I raced down to get tickets. I stood in line for 3 hours only to find out the dj meant Jack Black. Like wtf, right?