White Stripes Nation Manifesto VIII: "We're Going to Be Friends"

Part of: White Stripes Nation

Matthew 18:3 - Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Generalissimo Alberto: It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine?

LegendaryMonkey: Oh, geez, we're playing Bible verse again too, I see. Alright, at least I know what to expect. Albert, do I need to go count the blue pills? Are you chewing down all your meds again?

GA: No, really. I only had one. It's just a nice day. We should go out and play.

LM: Oooh! This is something I can get into with hand-clapping abandon. Perhaps you can leave the Pinky and the Brain-inspired plans for world domination on hold, and we can kick through the autumn leaves.

"We're Going to Be Friends"
White Blood Cells, 2002

Well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there's dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now its time to learn
...
Numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height
against the wall

LM: Here are Jack and Meg as little children playing with bugs and worms on their way to class. You could just cry at the tender purity of the love in this song, a love not yet complicated by sexuality and other grown up issues. It's very rainbows-and-lollipops.

GA: This is the White Stripes most direct Jonathan Richman play. This reversion to childhood would mirror, for example, "Back in Your Life."

There's a big difference in the vibe, though. Richman offers himself up as a fool for love in "Back in Your Life." He's offering himself up for mockery when he expresses a desire to help the girl's mama with the pancakes.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2

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