The White Stripes — The Hardest Button To Button
Album: ElephantAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1833
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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We started living in an old house
My ma gave birth and we were checking it out
It was a baby boy
So we bought him a toy
It was a ray gun
And it was 1981
We named him 'Baby'
He had a toothache
He started crying
It sounded like an earthquake
It didn't last long
Because I stopped it
I grabbed a rag doll
And stuck some little pins in it
Now we're a family
And we're alright now
We got money and a little place
To fight now
We don't know you
And we don't owe you
But if you see us around
I got something else to show you
Now it's easy when you don't know better
You think it's sleazy?
Then put it in a short letter
We keep warm
But there's just something wrong with you
Just feel that you're the hardest little button to button
I had opinions
That didn't matter
I had a brain
That felt like pancake batter
I got a backyard
With nothing in it
Except a stick
A dog
And a box with something in it
The hardest button to button
My ma gave birth and we were checking it out
It was a baby boy
So we bought him a toy
It was a ray gun
And it was 1981
We named him 'Baby'
He had a toothache
He started crying
It sounded like an earthquake
It didn't last long
Because I stopped it
I grabbed a rag doll
And stuck some little pins in it
Now we're a family
And we're alright now
We got money and a little place
To fight now
We don't know you
And we don't owe you
But if you see us around
I got something else to show you
Now it's easy when you don't know better
You think it's sleazy?
Then put it in a short letter
We keep warm
But there's just something wrong with you
Just feel that you're the hardest little button to button
I had opinions
That didn't matter
I had a brain
That felt like pancake batter
I got a backyard
With nothing in it
Except a stick
A dog
And a box with something in it
The hardest button to button
Comments (147)add comment
SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Legendary.
i love how this rocks! probably my top 2 favs by them. i love it!!
RP has turned me on to many great artists, jack white being one of them. long live RP, thank you!
phineas wrote:
This has a pretty short shelf life --- getting to be that the easiest button when this is on is the mute.
I had opinions
That didn't matter
Jack White live at the Masonic in Detroit April 8th. Supply Chain Issues Tour. Rock on!!
OK, but not their best tune.
1wolfy wrote:mongoloid, he was a mongoloid !
mongoloid, he was a mongoloid !
Un de mes titres préférés de tous les temps!
aspicer wrote:
Ahhh..you're joking right given the album cover?!
Sorry had a senior moment
Ahhh..you're joking right given the album cover?!
Sorry had a senior moment
jp33442 wrote:
Ahhh..you're joking right given the album cover?!
Was meg still playing around this time
Ahhh..you're joking right given the album cover?!
Was meg still playing around this time
Dfitz wrote:
That is an understatement
Jack White is like a brilliant mad scientist, truly gifted and more than a little strange
That is an understatement
Jack White is like a brilliant mad scientist, truly gifted and more than a little strange
great song and one of the best video ever!
I'll take any White Stripes over any of Jack White's solo stuff.
It's good but less than The Black Kees 
rlr511 wrote:
I beg to differ. White Stripes was super lame, I'll give you that. But since Jack went solo he has really matured as a musician. Speaking as a musician and voice coach for almost 40 years, I feel I can argue this point. He's single-handedly made old equipment and recording techniques into the twenty-first century. His album "Blunderbuss" is second to none using this approach.
You should seriously check Blunderbuss out.
Respectfully,
A seasoned professional musician and music connoisseur
Jack white is so lame
I beg to differ. White Stripes was super lame, I'll give you that. But since Jack went solo he has really matured as a musician. Speaking as a musician and voice coach for almost 40 years, I feel I can argue this point. He's single-handedly made old equipment and recording techniques into the twenty-first century. His album "Blunderbuss" is second to none using this approach.
You should seriously check Blunderbuss out.
Respectfully,
A seasoned professional musician and music connoisseur
Jack white is so lame
ico wrote:
yep!!!! :)
Thanks dude
yep!!!! :)
Thanks dude
number7 wrote:
Still there Jan 12 2018
Silence again March 10, 2018
Still there Jan 12 2018
Silence again March 10, 2018
number7 wrote:
Still there Jan 12 2018
Still there March 10 2018.
Still there Jan 12 2018
Still there March 10 2018.
Orodrigues wrote:
Still there Jan 12 2018
And then, the silence...
Still there Jan 12 2018
And then, the silence...
Stupid lyrics... Jack White pushes my buttons. 
OUCH!!!! Big silence after this track.... more than 30 seconds...
What happened, Bill?
What happened, Bill?
markybx wrote:
yep!!!! :)
I suddenly had flashback to a Simpsons episode - really funny
yep!!!! :)
I suddenly had flashback to a Simpsons episode - really funny
Very much liking this!!...8.
One of the best videos ever!
Interesting 2nd new song off this album in 2 days. To me anyways.
I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!
drH wrote:
That was before I realized they were popular.
Yeah if you stop liking something because it's popular, that basically means you have no musical taste of your own. You like what is "cool" to like. Therefore you opinion on anything is moot.
..... a good 9
From the dates on the comments (and making some assumptions), it looks like there might have been a decade gap between playing this on RP (2005 to 2015).
No offense to anyone who likes this song (and I *do* like other Jack White stuff) ... but I hope the "decade between playing this song on RP" thing starts to trend.
No offense to anyone who likes this song (and I *do* like other Jack White stuff) ... but I hope the "decade between playing this song on RP" thing starts to trend.
When this came out I was hooked on them immediately! Dysfunctional family memoirs indeed; I can relate! Saw them that tour at Shibuya-AX in Tokyo and THEY ROCKED THE HOUSE DOWN!
enjoying
Sweeeeet!!!! 
JrzyTmata wrote:
OMG!! 8O a woman playing DRUMS!!! of all things!
they were brother and sister too. :-k this means something...
Uh - Jack and Meg were married for 4 years, the sibling thing is just part of the joke...
they were brother and sister too. :-k this means something...This has a pretty short shelf life --- getting to be that the easiest button when this is on is the mute.
"...the hardest bu'in to bu'in, UH-OH!..." A 7.
Have they ever considered,maybe... velcro?
But seriously , folks, good rockin' tune.
I love this song and I love the White Stripes!
Where is good music, dude?
I miss it! 
I'm the 100th comment on this song...wow.
The White Stripes are neat, but this isn't my favorite from them
laozilover wrote:
The lead in to this track always reminds me of the segue to "Concentration Moon" from Zappa's "We're Only In It for the Money". If I were the DJ... :-k
Yeah!
How come we don't hear more of Zappa anyway?
I kind of like Elephant EXCEPT for the radio singles.
Cyclehawk wrote:
Guess I"m gettin old but I just cannot understand what's allegedly so appealing about this band. Marginal garage band noise at best. Sorry but I don't get it.
I'm certainly getting old too but I LIKE THIS!
laozilover wrote:
The lead in to this track always reminds me of the segue to "Concentration Moon" from Zappa's "We're Only In It for the Money". If I were the DJ... :-k
All their songs remind me of someone else--because he's an unofuckingriginal, meatloaf looking hack!
The lead in to this track always reminds me of the segue to "Concentration Moon" from Zappa's "We're Only In It for the Money". If I were the DJ... :-k
dingodevil wrote:
they were brother and sister too. :-k this means something...
...The band becomes all the more intriguing when one becomes aware that it consists of a total of two members: some young English dude and his younger sister, who plays the DRUMS, of all things! Now is that original or what??
OMG!! 8O a woman playing DRUMS!!! of all things!
they were brother and sister too. :-k this means something...
Julieofthenc wrote:
...Except for the fact that she is his ex-wife, not his sister.
This probably is also messing with my head:
whitestripes.net wrote:Jack White (b. John Anthony Gillis, Detroit, Michigan, USA; guitar/vocals) and Meg White (b. Megan Martha White, Detroit, Michigan, USA; drums). The Whites, variously assumed to be husband and ex-wife or brother and sister, but both denied, formed their new band in 1997. Judging from their facial looks it initially seemed likely the duo were brother and sister, but the matter was confused by Jack White stating that the couple were once married and the posting of a marriage license and divorce certificate on the Internet.
rulebritannia wrote:
Actually, it was his ex-sister, but that's another story.......
I said it once and I'll say it again, the white stripes suck. Sounds like finger nails scratching a chalkboard.
mig7 wrote:
Unofuckinriginal Meatloaf-looking hack.
So, how do you really feel about them??
Unofuckinriginal Meatloaf-looking hack.
Julieofthenc wrote:
...Except for the fact that she is his ex-wife, not his sister.
Actually, it was his ex-sister, but that's another story.......
dingodevil wrote:
Although they seem to have borrowed elements from several of the classic rock sounds of the '60s and '70s (does anyone else keep getting sudden flashbacks to BOC songs while listening to WS?), the resultant mix is, I find, pleasing and quite refreshing. The band becomes all the more intriguing when one becomes aware that it consists of a total of two members: some young English dude and his younger sister, who plays the DRUMS, of all things! Now is that original or what??
...Except for the fact that she is his ex-wife, not his sister.
Way overated.
Cyclehawk wrote:
Guess I"m gettin old but I just cannot understand what's allegedly so appealing about this band. Marginal garage band noise at best. Sorry but I don't get it.
Make that exceptional garage band noise. Some people just really dig that sound. I think that this song totally rules death. :)
Guess I"m gettin old but I just cannot understand what's allegedly so appealing about this band. Marginal garage band noise at best. Sorry but I don't get it.
Never thought 'button' was exceptional, but at first listen to the first four songs during a gym workout I was sold on Elephant. I can see how it is polarizing though. My wife hates the whole album and in general I think she has excellent musical taste. Hence its relegation to headphone listening.
dingodevil wrote:
Although they seem to have borrowed elements from several of the classic rock sounds of the '60s and '70s (does anyone else keep getting sudden flashbacks to BOC songs while listening to WS?), the resultant mix is, I find, pleasing and quite refreshing. The band becomes all the more intriguing when one becomes aware that it consists of a total of two members: some young English dude and his younger sister, who plays the DRUMS, of all things! Now is that original or what??
Which bit are you caling original - the female drummer? I think the Velvet Underground can claim a bit more originality in that department (as in so many other departments): and don't forget the Go-Betweens' classic line-ups with Lindy Morrison on the sticks & skins.
"...he started cryin', it sounded like an earthquake..." this guy has obviously actually had a kid ot two :headache.gif:
dingodevil wrote:
Although they seem to have borrowed elements from several of the classic rock sounds of the '60s and '70s (does anyone else keep getting sudden flashbacks to BOC songs while listening to WS?), the resultant mix is, I find, pleasing and quite refreshing. The band becomes all the more intriguing when one becomes aware that it consists of a total of two members: some young English dude and his younger sister, who plays the DRUMS, of all things! Now is that original or what??
... Except for the fact that they are from Detroit.
https://www.mtv.com/bands/az/white_stripes/bio.jhtml
Although they seem to have borrowed elements from several of the classic rock sounds of the '60s and '70s (does anyone else keep getting sudden flashbacks to BOC songs while listening to WS?), the resultant mix is, I find, pleasing and quite refreshing. The band becomes all the more intriguing when one becomes aware that it consists of a total of two members: some young English dude and his younger sister, who plays the DRUMS, of all things! Now is that original or what??
What is a "BUTTIN" ? does it mean to interrupt someone or cut in line?
drH wrote:
That was before I realized they were popular.
Seriously? What is it with people around here not liking anything that is commercially successful? Every once in a while something that it good actually does squeak past the lowest-common-demoninator-ray and make it to mainstream popularity. And on some rare occasions pop is good just for it's own sake.
MsfStl wrote:
I saw these guys in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago. A fantastic show! I was skeptical going into it but I came out floored! Right on RP! (pimp)
A perfect song before I go home early on Good Friday! WhooHoo! (pimp)
ireneect wrote:
... I'd say it's one of the few times in recent years a quality band has gotten mainstream recognition. Ain't no shame in it...
I guess we all have differing opinions about what constitutes "quality". I fail to see anything resembling quality in the White Stripes, but if you do, that's great.
Monkeysdad wrote:
Ok, if you say so. You liked the fact that they sound like Iggy Pop before, that doesn't hold true now?
That was before I realized they were popular.
drH wrote:
Jumping Someone Else's Train... as in being derivative/unoriginal. As in being the Green Day of the 00's.
Ok, if you say so. You liked the fact that they sound like Iggy Pop before, that doesn't hold true now?
Monkeysdad wrote:
Ok doc, I'll bite, why is that?
Jumping Someone Else's Train... as in being derivative/unoriginal. As in being the Green Day of the 00's.
ireneect wrote:
Punk? Does anyone else think this is not the right characterization for the Stripes? I think they are more bluesy garage rock. Anywho, I am surprised at all the hysteria toward them on this page. Could it be backlash against their popularity? I'd say it's one of the few times in recent years a quality band has gotten mainstream recognition. Ain't no shame in it...
Well put. I think they've just taken rock right back to the raw basics, I didn't get it at first but in time it grew right onto me. I went and saw them last Sept. and they absolutely blew my socks off. Like it or not, they're the real deal.
I just like the simplistic music...It is not punk at all, please open your ears...Punk was in the late SEVENTIES anything after that is POST punk..understood?
drH wrote:
Rather ironic that this plays right after Jumping Someone Else's Train. :-k
Ok doc, I'll bite, why is that?
Rather ironic that this plays right after Jumping Someone Else's Train. :-k
tg3k wrote:
This is perceived as rock stripped to its bare essence, but to me, it comes off as "let's make it intentionally suck, and people will think we're cooler than life itself".
Well, it's working...some people think the Stripes are cooler than life itself, and the music does indeed suck. They're not doing anything every other punk rocker hasn't done before them. (BTW, I thought punk was overrated back when it was new. Now, it's old and still overrated.)
Punk? Does anyone else think this is not the right characterization for the Stripes? I think they are more bluesy garage rock. Anywho, I am surprised at all the hysteria toward them on this page. Could it be backlash against their popularity? I'd say it's one of the few times in recent years a quality band has gotten mainstream recognition. Ain't no shame in it...
This is perceived as rock stripped to its bare essence, but to me, it comes off as "let's make it intentionally suck, and people will think we're cooler than life itself".
Well, it's working...some people think the Stripes are cooler than life itself, and the music does indeed suck. They're not doing anything every other punk rocker hasn't done before them. (BTW, I thought punk was overrated back when it was new. Now, it's old and still overrated.)
Yipes! Sripes! Again? Please no more!
kelli wrote:
ummmmm.......i don't "get" them. 
I wholeheartedly concur. I wish clear channel would ban this guy. He's a real mean dude too. I hope somebody kicks his ass one day.
God, I just love this song.
oakenguy wrote:
Ye gods, could the percussion *be* any more boring?
Percussion, so hot right now Percussion.
Rock n' Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ye gods, could the percussion *be* any more boring?
ummmmm.......i don't "get" them.
Props for keeping it simple, taking some chances on developing an original sound... but not all risk taking yields great results.... Stripes will need to evolve soon, 'cuz this sound has no legs - I'm already bored.
hunters wrote:
I thought it was going to be Psycho Killer...q'uest que cest?
I did the same thing.
I'm not sure what this somg is about... but it is awful fun to sing along.. "The hardest button to button"?? How great is that?
I guess its time for another ... what is it.. 3 minutes and some odd seconds... of silence in my day away from Radio Paradise.. don't like them.. haven't liked their sound since the first beats..
I still like this song better each time I hear it. The bass is good for my ears. Nice thrill.
a very rocking tune. YUM!
Sounds like Iggy Pop... and that's a good thing.
I like the way the kick drum is run through a sping reverb. Nicely cheezy sounding.
Flying_Donut wrote:
Not sure if it means anything, but my three year old daughter LOVES the White Stripes. Demands it gets put on in the car. Sings Seven Nation Army to herself. Bounces to this song. Curious. Am I raising a little headbanger? 
Ditto with my four year old!!! She also enjoys Liam Lynch's United States of Whatever.
Glad to hear that my wife and I aren't the only ones playing WS for future generations.
Rock On!
...uh-oh.
Grammy's have Elephant nominated for CD of the year.
remember to "Be like the squirrel".
I think these guys are on a cutting edge of a new psuedo punk type sound myself... I think it's kick butt and simple... Totally stripped down.
I can't help but like this, and Seven Nation Army, the more I hear them. Although after hearing some more of their songs, I think they imitate Offspring and Godsmack a bit.
I usually don't like this style of music though, so what do I know. I heard this on RP loooong before it cropped up on the radio here :)
Tim? wrote:
This is the first song that has made me shut down RP till it was over. For some reason I like these two less and less each time I hear them and it is getting increasingly difficult to avoid them. Let me know when their 15 min of fame are over.
Being as this is now the second album with plenty air play....their 15 minutes have been extended..indefinatly...Get over it and listen to the tunes.
Besides...gotta stand up for fellow michiganders(eminem excluded)....even if they are Trolls.
P.S. A "troll" is some one from michigan and not a Yooper, all those south of the Mackinac Bridge.
I thought it was going to be Psycho Killer...q'uest que cest?
I saw these two at Roseland on Tuesday night. If they come to your town, MAKE SURE you see them. There is nothing like seeing them live. They are the antidote to the homogenized 'American Idol' Britney state of current music. I felt that this might be what it was like to see the Beatles or Stones when they started out. Jack White has stripped away all the crap and gone back to the beginning of '60's style rock/blues.
If you don't like them yet, reserve judgement until you have experienced more. White Stripes is a really special thing to happen in music right now.
I'm still really torn on the White Stripes, but this song is great, and the video is one of the trippiest things i've seen in a while -- my favorite of the Stripes' generally fantastic videos.
I'm with a lot of you, when WS really hit the scene summer of '02 I thought "what's the attraction?" My 9 year old son wanted Elephant, or more accurately "Seven Nation Army" and I found driving around with him and it playing almost constantly that it totally grew on me in a big way, I just didn't 'get it' before. Since then we've gone and seen them live and I have to say they blew our socks off. I hope they keep this up for years to come.
Flying_Donut wrote:
Not sure if it means anything, but my three year old daughter LOVES the White Stripes. Demands it gets put on in the car. Sings Seven Nation Army to herself. Bounces to this song. Curious. Am I raising a little headbanger?
My two-year-old loves them as well. He plays air drums and bops along. I always say it's because the drum part is so simple a two-year-old can play it.
Leslie wrote:
I guarantee it will never grow on me.
I don't know.. I think its growing on me... like canker soars from hell!
So far the two or three songs I've heard from them don't inspire me to anything other than turn them off... different yes... barely tollerable... yes... beyond that, the sooner the next song comes the better.. usually.... ;)
Not sure if it means anything, but my three year old daughter LOVES the White Stripes. Demands it gets put on in the car. Sings Seven Nation Army to herself. Bounces to this song. Curious. Am I raising a little headbanger?
veegez wrote:
Do I hear 25 minutes? Jack White's voice rules death, and the White Stripes are totally raw rock 'n' roll. I love it.
yo, I'm w/you veegez... raw is what the White Stripes and the essence of rock itself is about... bring it on!!... true - I've heard them truly suck at times, !!
but these guys know how to make a song & a good rock song @ that...
ndanger666 wrote:
White's voice doesn't rule death -- it makes you wish for it!
This sounds like a bunch of 13 year olds practicing together for the first time..............and not very well, either.
Oh. Ok.
veegez wrote:
Do I hear 25 minutes? Jack White's voice rules death, and the White Stripes are totally raw rock 'n' roll. I love it.
White's voice doesn't rule death -- it makes you wish for it!
This sounds like a bunch of 13 year olds practicing together for the first time..............and not very well, either.
more of the stripes on RP please!!
Lets have some Led Zeppelin instead...how about Kashmir
:P
I know I used to rag on these guys hardcore, but this is now my favorite divorce song. I swear he wrote it about me.
"I got a back yard with nothing in it..."
BasementJill wrote:
good tune, thanks for the play!
AWESOME ROCK AND ROLL!!!!!!!! head bangin all the way!!!!!!
good tune, thanks for the play!
Soul_of_Wit wrote:
Something from De Stijl. please.
I tried uploading I'm Bound to Pack It Up (a great song from De Stijl) but they said not likely! Come on we need some more Stripes, they have so many great songs!
this is one of my fav gifs of all time.