SEVEN NATION ARMY LYRICS

Seven Nation Army by American rock duo The White Stripes, Jack White and Meg White, is the opening track and lead single from their fourth studio album, Elephant (2003). It was issued to American alternative radio on February 17, 2003, through V2 Records, with the worldwide single released via XL Recordings.

The song was written and produced by Jack White. Its famous riff is not played on a bass guitar: it is Jack White's semi-acoustic guitar run through a pitch-shift effect, the DigiTech Whammy, to mimic a bass sound. The track does not follow a traditional verse-chorus structure; instead, the riff, shifted into a different key, acts as the refrain. The title comes from Jack White's childhood mispronunciation of Salvation Army.

The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative chart. Its music video, directed by Alex and Martin and built around a kaleidoscopic tunnel of red, black and white triangles, won Best Editing in a Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Today, it is one of the most recognisable riffs of the 21st century, a global stadium and sports chant, and a theme for sports teams and events, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It is multi-platinum in the UK, certified by the BPI. Elephant also features The Hardest Button to Button, In the Cold, Cold Night and Ball and Biscuit.

Seven Nation Army Song Credits

Song: Seven Nation Army

Artist: The White Stripes

Album: Elephant

Released: February 17, 2003

Writer: Jack White

Producer: Jack White

Label: V2 Records / XL Recordings

Lyrics for this song are pending — this post will be updated with the complete verified lyrics as sung.

Watch the Official Video

Frequently Asked Questions

What album is Seven Nation Army from?

It is the opening track and lead single from The White Stripes' fourth studio album, Elephant, released in 2003.

Is the riff played on bass?

No. The riff is played on a semi-acoustic guitar passed through a DigiTech Whammy pitch-shift effect, which gives it a bass-like sound.

What awards did Seven Nation Army win?

It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2004, and its video won Best Editing in a Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

Why do crowds chant it at sports events?

Its simple, powerful riff is easy to recognise and sing along to, so it has been widely adopted as a stadium chant and a theme for sports teams and events.

SEVEN NATION ARMY LYRICS - THE WHITE STRIPES | ELEPHANT

Seven Nation Army Song Credits