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The White Stripes — Icky Thump
Album: Icky Thump
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 702









Released: 2007
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(no lyrics available)
Comments (109)add comment
Overrated, awful stuff, like a migraine made into music. Unpleasant and irritating.
Pretty low rating for a song Rolling Stone had as its No. 18 song of 2007. I'm guessing most listeners aren't tune with their critics.
I think the song is clever, outrageous, and fun. 
For those of us who do like this:


Iiiiiiiieeeeeee
Icky thump
Who'da thunk?
Sittin' drunk on a wagon to Mexico

Ah well
What a chump
Well my head got a bump
When I hit it on the radio

Redhead señorita
Looking dead
Came and said
"need a bed?"
En Español

I said
"Gimme a drink a water
I'm gonna 'sing around the collar'
And I don't need a microphone"

[guitar solo]
[keyboard solo]

Icky thump
With a lump in my throat
Grabbed my coat
And I was freaking
I was ready to go!

And I swear
Besides the hair
She had one white eye
One blank stare
Lookin' up
Lyin' there

On the stand
Near her hand
Was a candy cane
Black rum, sugar cane
Dry ice (and) something strange

La la, la la la la la la la la la laaa laaa laaa

[keyboard solo]

White Americans, what?
Nothing better to do?
Why don't you kick yourself out?
You're an immigrant too?

Who's usin' who?
What should we do?
Well you can't be a pimp
And a prostitute too

Icky thump, handcuffed to a bunk
Robbed blind
Looked around
And there was nobody else

Left alone
I hit myself with a stone
Went home
And learned how to clean up after myself
I think it's almost rock and roll.  But it sounds more like a lost mellotron and guitar had noisy sex with a sound effects Frankenstein machine in a lighting storm.  
 impediguy wrote:
I think the 'h' in the title should be changed to an 'r'
 
https://thirdmanstore.com/icky...  bumper sticker is available at his Detroit store Third Man Records.  I have one.  You're welcome
I think the 'h' in the title should be changed to an 'r'
"Give the drummer some" is apparently misguided advice regarding Meg.
Jared wrote:
When I buy this album (because I must), this'll take a few listens, but I do feel some light glimmering in the distance.
Just bought it yesterday, and this track is a bit rough around the edges, but the catchiness of the lyrics really got me. I can't get it out of my head!
Wow - that track sure got my attention. Not in a positive way..........
First time I've heard this, believe it or not. The Stripes are back and I'm glad! (Wasn't that high on the Raconteurs.)
sweet icky thump. 9 :-)
MinMan wrote:
A 2-man/woman parody of AC/DC?
this could be a decent ac/dc style hard-rock song but it lacks BASS and another GUITAR (never mind the simplistic drumming). When is this guy going to realize that adding a bass will make a HUGE difference?
dmax wrote:
GOOD segue from the Electric Prunes!
But that's about it
A 2-man/woman parody of AC/DC?
Sounds like the grandchildren of the Led Zeppelin members give it a go!
Now I'm feeling my age........maybe it'll sound better next time, some catchy riffs here and there.
video for this song is out now ... https://www.spinner.com/2007/05/24/video-premiere-icky-thump-by-white-stripes/ (click here)
FilmSurgeon wrote:
Where are the slavish, mis-guided Zeppelin comparisons? Half baked...
No doubt his biggest influence - but with that ineffable Jack White twist.
When I buy this album (because I must), this'll take a few listens, but I do feel some light glimmering in the distance.
Xeric wrote:
The most successful crappy high school garage band in history.
But still far better than all of the current bands doing their retro shtick. At least this has some flicker of creativity. Sure, it's indefensible sludge, but it kicks.
The most successful crappy high school garage band in history.
Can this really be the White Stripes, When I first heard it I thought it was the Beastie Boys
TheLoneIguana wrote:
Lucky, I am no slave to cool, so I can turn this off with no second thought.
Yeah, your too cool to be cool right?
1 to -1
Loud and Great! We love when RP gets noisy.
I didn't know what to make of this band until I recently saw a DVD of them at a show in the UK. I was really impressed with what I saw (given that it was just lead guitar and drums). But I'm going to have a hard time getting over the end of the Portland, Oregon video. The sight of him soul-kissing Loretta Lynn was a little disturbing and weird, to say the least.
These moooorons must have done something just as crappy that we could hear instead of the same one EVERY FREEKING DAY...
Phonedave wrote:
It's growing on me. Just moved it up from a 3 to a 6. -dave
Dang! you're right! from 4 to 6.5.
For those of you who detest Jack White, remember he helped Loretta Lynn win a grammy after not writing music for 20+years. This "kid" rocks.
"Can't be a pimp and a prostitute too!"
I'm pluging my ears...*ouch* nails on a chalkboard
Gave it a 7, but like all White Stripes it'll get better with time and so will the rating.
Well, Americans: What, nothin' better to do? Why don't you kick yourself out? You're an immigrant too. Who's usin' who? What should we do? Well you can't be a pimp And a prostitute too
bokey wrote:
Like him or not-Jack White isn't boring.
Neither was Jack the Ripper. Just pointing that fact out.
This Rocks!
dmax wrote:
Weird, but I keep thinking "This is Prog Rock." Multiple sections, weird noises, some places to get a rhythmic foothold but then a change to something else, that little weird synth thing.
Aha! I believe you're right. Thank you. Now I know why it sucks so bad.
kick ASS!!!
UGH. Mute.
pescivendolo wrote:
Forget all the haters. Jack White is a force of nature. He's much cooler than you and I.
Lucky, I am no slave to cool, so I can turn this off with no second thought.
freddyfender wrote:
The song is Icky Thump . . .
. . . and it's among the most appropriately-named tunes ever recorded.
Hey... this was on yesterday...
It's growing on me. Just moved it up from a 3 to a 6. -dave
check it, yo
gazza wrote:
great choice of name for the band... icky - let it be over
The song is Icky Thump, the band is The White Stripes, and this tune rocks.
Oh hell yes!! My head is bangin' over here!
One of the best living guitarists.
I love this
as far as White Stripes songs go... I like this one. I seem to be in the minority on this one.
This song is almost...but not quite...a guilty pleasure. It's sort of like drinking shots of tequila, really.
Where are the slavish, mis-guided Zeppelin comparisons? Half baked...
mjaded wrote:
White stripes rock! They have an original sound, rare these days. Yeah, new album. hope they tour!
My 14 yo loves this. I trust his musical taste, and it's something we can discuss together - much like baseball. What the heck, it's not that distasteful. I can think of worse bands that I liked at his age.
Doooooods, allow yourselves ROCK.
Like him or not-Jack White isn't boring.
For all the songs that I have had denied, this makes it.
Shesdifferent wrote:
You've never heard of this group...oh I feel for you. Where do you live then in the BatCave?
great choice of name for the band... icky - let it be over
AlienRelic wrote:
Wow! Very Good. Another great band I never heard of Thanks Bill and Rebecca. Hope you are able to keep on doing this for a long time.
You've never heard of this group...oh I feel for you. Where do you live then in the BatCave?
Garbage? Sure. But sublime garbage.
lmic wrote:
Yes - more, more, more like this, please!
Sorry - then RP would no longer be RP, it would be GB (GarbageRadio).
Thank God it's so easy to take the headphones off 'til the next song!
I've come to expect nothing but garbage from The White Stripes - this is no exception.
Geez... gag me with an icky spoon... Actually the more I listen, I hear relevant lyrics.
now it's yesterday and the day before yesterday too coccyx wrote:
Just as icky as it was yesterday
bigB_3 wrote:
RAWK!!!
Yes - more, more, more like this, please!
AlienRelic wrote:
Wow! Very Good. Another great band I never heard of Thanks Bill and Rebecca.
Wow, really.
Just as icky as it was yesterday
Thanks for the ranking. pescivendolo wrote:
Forget all the haters. Jack White is a force of nature. He's much cooler than you and I.
White Stripes coming to the Far North in a couple months. Playing all canadian provinces, and the 3 Northern Territories. We're forgotten all to often, so it's a nice treat!
folkalta wrote:
can't --- take --- headphones --- off --- conflicted ARGGHH
I feel your....um....pain? I think?
I prefer the Ickey Shuffle myself...
bronorb wrote:
Disagree. The vocals are identical on each and every White Stripe song. My daughter is a fan and exposes me to it often. My problem is that the whole sound is so sparse with no bass. Being a sometimes bass player, that's just wrong, IMHO.
I have to agree, even though I like their shtick.
Wow! Very Good. Another great band I never heard of Thanks Bill and Rebecca. Hope you are able to keep on doing this for a long time.
i am glad to have meg and jack back! i liked the racounteurs, but the white stripes are the real deal.
Leatherpoker wrote:
Could easily pass for an SNL spoof.
Ironically starring Jack Black!
Forget all the h8ers. Jack White is a force of nature. He's much cooler than you and I.
gvan wrote:
Awesome.
Hell yeah!
Jack White rawks!!!!
Awesome. And for all you haters: this is rock and roll, you're overthinking it. This music is for your butts not your brains. Shut up and dance!
Cruithne3753 wrote:
(Pssst - Hey Jack, it's spelt "Ecky Thump")
Wow! I was thinking the same thing. Good to see someone else remembers The Goodies.
Jack White needs a drummer. Mo Tucker would be a huge improvement over poor Meg White. The novelty of her drumming has worn off - if it was ever appealing.
White stripes rock! They have an original sound, rare these days. Yeah, new album. hope they tour!
I don't think Icky Woods could do his shuffle to this song.
There is something in there that I like, but it's surrounded by a lot of things that make me cringe. Not quite sure where to go with that.
Screw the haters, White Stripes kick mucho culo!
parrothead wrote:
Love or hate Jack White he has a talented nack to not allow his tunes to all sound the same.
Right on brother, and I do like jack. I do think a better drummer would be ok.
mandolin wrote:
...generally i've felt that the white stripes have been long overrated - but this is cool...
Ditto...
parrothead wrote:
Love or hate Jack White he has a talented nack to not allow his tunes to all sound the same.
Disagree. The vocals are identical on each and every White Stripe song. My daughter is a fan and exposes me to it often. My problem is that the whole sound is so sparse with no bass. Being a sometimes bass player, that's just wrong, IMHO.
White Stripes are way overrated. Sounds like a cross between a crappy garage band and some tripped-out 70s group. Could easily pass for an SNL spoof.
Seems to be a lot of WS backlash on RP, but I love em. This song kicks, I think.
Ok, this is day 2 and I am over it already. My boss was just in my office staring at my mac in awe.
RP decides to ROCK today!!
Actually heard this song on the local alternative station twice in three hours, right after hearing the first play at RP. This one's going to be played into the ground, but I'm enjoying a great deal for the time being (except the three odd chord progressions in the middle anyways).
RAWK!!!
Blech! Hideous. Lasted about 3 seconds after he started "singing".
Got the 'WHITE' (ref last jam-thread
Sound a lot here like old Pittsburgh band, the Iron City Houserockers.
Love or hate Jack White he has a talented nack to not allow his tunes to all sound the same.
can't --- take --- headphones --- off --- conflicted ARGGHH
...generally i've felt that the white stripes have been long overrated - but this is cool...
AWESOME!
That boy crayzay
Wow!
He does not need a microphone indeed!
I like it!