The Hardest Podcast to Podcast

It's the White Stripes' breakout hit. Just 110 seconds of fury, 'Fell in Love With a Girl' captures Jack and Meg at their catchiest, creating one of their most explosive songs amid the frantic, stressful environment they built for themselves at Easley McCain Recording in February 2001.

Ryan and Strombo discuss George's connection to the White Stripes, from following the band since their debut album to interviewing Jack and Meg multiple times over the years. They also dig into the happy accident that led to the iconic LEGO stop-motion music video and explore how 'Fell in Love With a...

Jack and Meg loved Bob Dylan. And with the White Stripes' future still unknown when they recorded their first album in 1999, it made perfect sense to include a Dylan cover on the record.

Jack Riedy and Ryan discuss this early White Stripes track, which was being performed live as far back as the summer of 1998. They explore Dylan's impact on music and on the band, and trace how the song evolved live throughout the White Stripes' entire tenure.

Jack Riedy is an excellent artist out of Chicago, Illinois and you should stream his great single "...

Are you finding it harder to be a gentleman every day? That's okay, it happens to the best of us! 

Ryan is joined by Toronto musician Marlon Chaplin to discuss one of the countless standout tracks off 2001's White Blood Cells. They dive deep into Jack White's lyrics and word play, and Marlon points out how Meg White's unique drumming gave the song a whole new life and vibe.

Marlon Chaplin performs in The Brokes - a fantastic band paying tribute to the legendary Strokes at a much friendlier price point. He is also a s...

Ryan starts and ends the episode recording live from Third Man Records London!

300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues perfectly encapsulates the White Stripes and the chaos of their final album, 2007's Icky Thump.

Brett and Ryan sit down to discuss one of Jack and Meg's loudest tracks, and really look at how differently Jack White approaches the acoustic guitar compared to the electric. They chat about the band's goal to incorporate as many variations of the blues as possible into one song, and look at how much more comfortable playing the blues the band b...

The White Stripes recorded and released their cover of "Walking with a Ghost" in December 2005, fourteen months after Tegan and Sara's 2004 album So Jealous was released, with the song chosen as the album's first single.

Ryan chats with Sara Quin about the origin of her song, the inspiration behind it, and how it became one of their biggest songs to date. They also discuss the direction the band was heading in as they prepared to record their fourth studio album, how they learned the White Stripes were covering their song live, and how Meg White met Tegan...

Effect and Cause is the final song on the White Stripes' album Icky Thump and, subsequently, the final song of the band's album discography.

Ryan and Discord discuss the song's clever wordplay and the underlying story Jack is trying to tell about being in a relationship where two people are not at their best, though one person possesses some self-awareness. They also discuss the parallels between the White Stripes, the characters Jack and Meg created, and the world of drag.

How does this song serve as the band's post-meal palate cleanser? They discuss!

...

"Nobody sang the blues like Blind Willie McTell." Jack White said it best, and in late 2000, the White Stripes released an amalgamation of two of McTell's songs, "Lord, Send Me an Angel" and "Ticket Agent Blues."

Ryan and Courtney discuss the song, Blind Willie McTell's influence on Jack and Meg's music, and the White Stripes' ambitious tour of Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Courtney also provides tremendous analysis of the White Stripes' album artwork, including a deep dive into the artwork for this single.

Courtney Presto is a branding director whose incredible content explores the...

After receiving an invitation to an exclusive event featuring Jack White at Reverb in Chicago, Ryan hopped aboard a red-eye flight, made his way to Goose Island, and did what we've all been waiting more than a year for him to do: ask Jack White to be a guest on the podcast.

Ryan is joined by the podcast's assistant editorial producer, and his wife, Amanda, to talk about the whirlwind trip to Chicago, meeting Jack White, and finding a way into his sold-out show at The Salt Shed.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

The Denial Twist was the third and final single from 2005's Get Behind Me Satan and the final White Stripes music video directed by Michel Gondry.

Ryan and Josh discuss the demo recordings of the melody and piano riff captured on Jack White's handheld tape recorder, whether the song felt incomplete according to Pitchfork's review, and how the music video sparked the next chapter in the friendship between Jack, Meg, and Conan O'Brien.

Josh Custodio is the host of the fantastic Wrestling Brain Twitch stream. His Patreon does not disappoint either.

Hosted and p...

An interesting track off 2001's White Blood Cells, "Offend In Every Way" tells the akward teenage story of not being able to fit in anywhere while battling with imposter syndrome.

Ryan and Kyle have a lively discussion about the themes of this song, how it works more as a diary entry of Jack White's younger life, and not a tale written in retrospect. 

Kyle Rosse is the host of the 'Hey Smiling Strange' podcast and created Klubhouse - the version of fantasy football built around more trades, more decisions, more reasons to keep playing in O...

One of the biggest and loudest White Stripes songs, and its about slowly becoming more and more like your partner!

Ryan and Mike discuss this fantastic track off 2007's Icky Thump that took more than 15 tracks to record the album version. It immediately took on a life of it's own live, and both the White Stripes and Jack as a solo artist loved playing this song.

Mike Noble plays bass in Hotel Mira. Listen to their latest album "Pity Party" and check them out this summer at a one of their festival gigs in western...

Jack White's guitar playing can be summed up in two eras: before "Ball and Biscuit" and after "Ball and Biscuit."

Ryan is joined by author and guitar historian Brad Tolinski to break down one of the White Stripes' defining songs. Jack and Meg finally took their shot at the blues, and the result was nothing short of monumental.

Together, they explore, at the time, the band's unofficial rule against guitar solos, how Jack ultimately gave in to the temptation to let loose on guitar, and why "Ball and Biscuit" immediately became such a pivotal song f...

We've got money, and a little place to fight now.

Rob Harvilla joins the show to discuss one of the White Stripes' biggest songs and most memorable music videos. Stuck all the way down at track 9 of 2003's Elephant, this song absolutely explodes off side 2 while Jack White tells the story of a young child who just can't find their place in a new family.

Rob Harvilla hosts the incredible podcast 60 Songs That Explain The 90's,. He is a senior staff writer at The Ringer and has been a professional rock critic for over two d...

Next week's episode and additional bonus content is currently available to our monthly backers at Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod

The silly and adorable finale of 2003's Elephant is full of whimsy, colourful lyrics, and accusations of abusing painkillers!

Brothers Matt and Charlie Kerr join Ryan this week to discuss the only The White Stripes song that featured someone other than Jack White and Meg White on lead vocals. They dive into the fun lyrics, how this song came to be, and how it stuck around to close out such a significant record.

Charlie Kerr is...

He'd like to hypnotize you on the telephone...

Ryan is joined by Dwight live in his backyard hammock as they discuss this fast and furious deep cut off 2003's Elephant. They discuss the original origin of the song, how they test drove a potential studio with this track, and it's short life as part of the White Stripes' live set.

Editor's note: I was incorrect, Jack White WAS in The Hentchmen, playing bass on their 1998 album Hentch-Forth.Five.

Be sure to check out Dwight performing with The Zolas on their upcoming tour, and...

Ryan is joined by Ben Blackwell to discuss one of the White Stripes' biggest singles and share his experiences with the band as they wrote and recorded 2005's Get Behind Me Satan.

Whether it's spilling the literal beans on the band's order at Xochimilco in Southwest Detroit, or how an A-list celebrity could have graced the vinyl cover of Get Behind Me Satan, Ben provides amazing insight into this era of the White Stripes.

Ben Blackwell is the co-founder of Third Man Records and the official White Stripes archivalist.  Be sure to catch The Dirtbombs p...

Truth Doesn't Make a Noise needs to make MORE noise. An outstanding track that doesn't get nearly enough love!

Gigi and Ryan discuss this album cut from 2000's De Stijl, comparing the Dutch art movement to the album it was named after. They explore the emotion behind the track, analyze the lyrics, and examine its influence on Jack White's later career.

Listen to Gigi Marie's new single Used To Love and be sure to check her out live.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial P...

Jack and Meg pay their respects to Dylan with this deep cut b-side and live show staple. 

Ryan and Kaylie discuss this Dylan cover, it's storied live history, and how the band covering a Dylan song from '98 even impressed Nardwuar!

Kaylie Russell is a musician and graphic designer based on the south coast of British Columbia.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

Exclusive bonus content is available to our monthly backers at Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod

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We'll you're pretty good sounding, for a song.

Ryan and Adam sit down to discuss the first track off of De Stijl. They dive into the catchy hooks and the approach Jack White took to wrting the melody. They discuss the lyrics through 2025 eyes and ears, and wonder what the real story is behind that trendy American remix...

Adam Vennendaal performs in the great band Girlfriends and Boyfriends based in Toronto, Ontario.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

Exclusive b...

One of the most rambunctious songs off "a very brave record," or so the critics phrased it.

"Red Rain" is one of the wildest songs in the Stripes' catalogue. The second-last track off 2005's Get Behind Me Satan, it's a loud, blistering song dripping in slide guitar, Meg's heaviest beats, and Jack's voice, hoarse from telling off the dishonest people around him at one point in time.

Listen to Nate's fantastic band Dead Summer and stream their latest single Melodramatic

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

I...

It's important to remember that Rude Rick runs the southwest side of Detroit.

Ryan and Matt discuss an absolute banger of a White Stripes track: the bombastic tapestry that is Red Death at 6:14. They discuss the creation and structure of the song, the possible story behind the lyrics, and the unbelievable story of the distorted voice that starts the track.

Recorded as an encapsulation of the early 2000s garage rock scene in Detroit, Red Death at 6:14 became an important part of Jack and Meg's catalogue.

Listen to Matt play drums in Terrifying Girls...

Have we discovered the sister song to Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground?

Hotel Mira's Mike Noble joins Ryan to discuss the fourth and final single from 2003's Elephant. "There's No Home for You Here" is a standout track, capturing Jack and Meg's sound and their approach to songwriting while breaking many of the rules the band had followed on previous albums.

While the song was the fourth single from the critically acclaimed album, some pushed for much bigger plans.

Mike Noble plays bass in Hotel Mira. Listen to their latest album "Pity...

Seven Nation Army has been streamed over two billion times and chanted by millions at sporting events around the world. The song has entered the pantheon of folk music, and it all began at a soundcheck in Melbourne, Australia, with a disinterested Ben Swank.

Steve Bays joins the show to discuss one of the most recognizable songs of the last quarter century. As an artist who also wrote some gigantic hits in the same decade, Steve shares his insight into creating hit songs, reacting to that success, and the challenges (and triumphs) that follow.

Steve...

What would YOU Rita Hayworth do if you saw Rita Hayworth in a place so seedy?

Brett Hornall returns to the podcast after being saddled with 'Who's A Big Baby?' to discuss Take Take Take, one of the absolute gems off 2005's Get Behind Me Satan. From the unique structure of the song, the recording techniques, and the inspiration and impact that Rita had on the White Stripes.

Brett performs in the great sludge pop band The Vidos. Check out their latest single We Won't Waste Wine and their GREAT track The ICU

You've probably read an article comparing a White Stripes song to Led Zeppelin. Well, this is the song.

Ryan is joined by Chris Polinsky to discuss this track from 2000's De Stijl, and to dive into Chris's experiences with the band, from discovering and cheerleading their sophomore album, to getting the opportunity to photograph them before a pivotal 2000 show at New York City's Mercury Lounge. Chris also shares his experience working at Saturday Night Live, including a significant introduction to Jack and Meg White.

Chris Polinsky is a photographer and creative based in California who c...

De Stijl was a landmark album for The White Stripes, but the band wasn't happy with how the finished product sounded—or with the added distractions of recording the record at Jack's house in southwest Detroit.

Regardless, it was a pivotal album for the band and cracked open a whole new depth to Jack and Meg's ability to create music.

Jason returns to the podcast to discuss this outstanding track from De Stijl, share his admiration for Jack White as an artist, and rave about last year's No Name tour.

Jason Manning has be...

Seriously. Who is a big baby??

Ryan and Brett discuss this wild b-side to Blue Orchid. They talk about the creative freedom the White Stripes' success allowed them to embrace. Whether it was recorded at the beginning of a long recording day, or the end of a difficult one, very much is known about "Who's A Big Baby," and maybe there isn't much else to learn either.

Brett Hornall  performs in the great sludge pop band The Vidos. Check out their latest single We Won't Waste Wine and their GREAT track The ICU

Conquest was the last single from 2007's Icky Thump and the final single ever released by the White Stripes

Spike Eskin joins the show to discuss a now infamous incident involving an angry phone call from Jack White in Spain to his radio station following the decision to play Icky Thump two weeks before it's release date. 

They discuss that era in music, radio, relevancy, and break down the band's cover of the Corky Robbins song dating back to the 1950's.

Spike Eskin can be heard on Sports Radio 94WIP in Philadelphia. He i...

A song title so harsh that even one of Jack White's musical idols was taken aback.

Ryan and Kaylie discuss one of the final singles released by the White Stripes. From the heavy county influence, to the tounge-twisting clever lyrics, they discuss a song that a preview of things to come in Jack White's solo career.

Kaylie Russell is a musician and graphic designer based on the south coast of British Columbia.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a c...

The first single from 2001's White Blood Cells, and a live-show staple, "Hotel Yorba" is a beloved White Stripes track.

Ryan is joined by his wife, Amanda, and his sister (also named Amanda) to discuss the song's sentiment, lyrical themes, and the accompanying video, which was the first produced by the duo.

Finally, they touch on the importance of the song, which quickly became a favourite of the siblings, and how lyrics from the track found their way into Ryan's vows and a special moment shared with his wife on their wedding day.

...

Oh when Christmas finally comes...

Ryan is joined by our dear friend Mike Noble to discuss the White Stripes' only Christmas song, Candy Cane Children. Written and recorded in 1998, this is one of the earlier studio recordings of the band, capturing a raw and vulnerable rock-and-roll band from Detroit.

They dive into the dark, twisted lyrics and themes and discuss the business of Christmas songs, and what they look for in songs for the holidays. Mike also makes an exceptional observation about the structure of this song, which is quite similar to one of their...

We took the podcast to go bowling downtown at The Red Door.

In what could only be described as the coolest collab in rock-and-roll history, The White Stripes wrote and recorded a song about pinball for Multiball — a zine devoted to rock and roll and pinball.

Josh and Ryan discuss this absolute banger that flies under the radar in the Stripes' catalogue, featuring crushing beats, a heavy guitar riff, and lyrics that veer away from Jack and Meg's usual subject matter.

Josh Custodio is the host of the fantastic Wrestling Brain Twitch stream. His...

What would I liked to have been? Everything you hate!

Gigi Marie returns to the podcast to discuss one of the best White Stripes songs of all time, "The Union Forever." This outstanding track is buried beneath the huge singles off 2001's White Blood Cells, but has recently taken on new life as a fiery protest song during Jack White's live shows.

Let's dive into the imagery and dialogue from Citizen Kane, and consider just how much bigger this song could have, and should have been.

Listen to Gigi Marie's new EP An E...

Are you seeing red now?

Ryan sits down with Zach to discuss the first song in the White Stripes album discography. The welcome mat to the White Stripes listening experience, this song perfectly encapsulates Jack and Meg's magic. Loud Guitars and drums? Childlike imagery? Jimmy The Exploder has it and then some!

Zach Butcher is based in Akron, Ohio, performs in the screamo/punk band The Jackal, and runs his DIY lable 'The Caller is in the House.'

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: A...

Without a doubt, the BEST final track on all six White Stripes albums.

Melissa and Ryan discuss the powerful closer to 2001's White Blood Cells, share their thoughts on the lyrics and themes, and praise Jack and Meg for their harmonizing. 

They also discuss Melissa's outstanding article "Searching for Meg White" for Elle Magazine and covering the the band's early days as the  staff music writer of Detroit's Metro Times.

Melissa Giannini is a writer, editor, and editorial consultant in New York. She's also worked as an editor for Nylon and Spin.

...

Bring out your junk and we'll give it a home!

Nate is back on the show to discuss all things Rag and Bone. From the song's fun and silly story to the catchy riff and choruses, this song almost didn't make 2007's Icky Thump but that last-minute decision proved to make the White Stripes' final album even more memorable.

Listen to Nate's fantastic band Dead Summer and stream their latest single Melodramatic

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a c...

The White Stripes officially entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 8. Jack White took to the stage wearing red, white, and black for the first time in eighteen years and delivered a beautiful, heartfelt speech, including some comments from Meg, and a letter he had yet to send her.

While Meg's absence was largely expected, it didn't stop some of the biggest names in music from showing their love and appreciation for the drummer.

Ryan pens an essay sharing his thoughts on the ceremony and the Stripes' induction. Then, the podcast's assistant...

The two podcasts of the Jack White universe collide for a special cross-over episode you never thought you'd need!

James and Paul Kaminski from The Third Men Podcast join Ryan to discuss their podcasting journeys, their respective fandoms, and of course, Hello Operator, the only single off the 2000 alum De Stijl album.

A key staple in The White Stripes' legacy, "Hello Operator" is arguably the best example of their primal, stripped-down blues sound, complete with a Meg White "drum solo" and a harmonica break that comes blasting out of nowhere!

Follow and listen to...

Have you been to the broken bricks, girl?

Ryan and Matt gather to break down Broken Bricks off their debut album. A rumpus, fast-paced punk track that's barely 1:45, and seemingly the only White Stripes original song with lyrics not written by Jack White.

They discuss the poetry behind the song, it's big return as a Jack White solo live track, and much more! 

Listen to Matt play drums in Terrifying Girls' High School , check out the Hot Action Podcast, and be sure to check out the film Thanks to the Hard Work of E...

Meg steps up to the mic and delivers an absolute classic. 

Alexis and Ryan dive into 'In the Cold, Cold Night', one of the White Stripes' quiet masterpieces in the midst of their loud and rowdy album Elephant.

They discuss the simple and powerful story Meg sings, the raw and authentic recording at Toe Rag Studios, and the song's live history, which saw Jack call for Meg to come from behind her drum kit and sing at roughly 60% of all White Stripes shows.

Alexis is the lead singer of Blood Diamond. Check out t...