The Hardest Podcast to Podcast

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 St...

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...

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...

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...

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 W...

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, play...

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...

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...

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 Edit...

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...

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...

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...

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 fro...

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 giganti...

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 th...

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. Ch...

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 f...

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 gr...

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...

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 Britis...

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...

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,...

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 rif...

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 Citiz...

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 , an...