Jack White is one of those rare musicians who influences so
many other musicians yet never seems to have a big hit for himself. Other
people have the hits with his songs, or even; as in the case of Loretta Lynn;
with his superb abilities as a producer as well as a performer. Sort of like
what Rick Rubin did for Johnny Cash. This live performance on Conan O’Brien’s
show highlights all of those skills plus his ability as a writer to really hit
the heart of the matter in a song.
I can’t figure out whether I like the music best, or whether
it’s the lyrics. But then again it’s probably the performance itself which
caught me by surprise. The white make-up; the unusual mixture of the
instruments; the violin part; all come together in this number, making it
impossible for me to ignore. (The studio recording also has a great piano part, which sounds slightly off but adds something of it's own to the song.)
After listening for several days it was impossible for me to
stay uninvolved with the recording. The song is very simply composed; and can
be played using the basic chords of E A and D. It’s the rhythm that takes a few
tries in order to make the words flow as smoothly as they seem to come from Mr.
White’s mouth. (I’m still working on that.)
The lyrics are really hauntingly beautiful, reflecting some
of my own feelings about issues of trust. I especially like the verse about the
ghosts; he paints them as opportunists who know exactly how to haunt him, even
though they may not exist. Mr. White knows better. The ghosts are the products
of our own insecurities, which in turn gives the non-existent “ghosts” the
power they seem to have. Just as with Jacob Marley, we each forge our own links one at a time.
Anyway, you've seen him with the Rolling Stones; on late
night TV; and heard him on the radio. Now, with this appearance on Rooftop Reviews, Jack
White has finally made the big time.
“Alone In My Home”
(Jack White)
This light that
shines on me tonight
Turns on when you
wander through my door
And your friends
won't see you to the end, I'm sure
But you love them
anyhow
Lost feelings of
love
Lost feelings of
love
That hover above
me
Lost feelings of
love
Lost feelings of
love
That hover above
me
The ghost that
visit me the most, drop by
Cause they know
they can find me here
And they claim to
be held from me in chains, but come on
They're guilty as
sin my dear
I'm becoming a
ghost
Becoming a ghost
So nobody can know
me
I'm becoming a
ghost
Becoming a ghost
So nobody can know
me
These stones that
are thrown against my bones, break through
But they hurt less
as times goes on
And though alone,
I build my own home, to be sure
That nobody can
touch me now
Yeah
All alone in my
home
Alone in my home
Nobody can touch
me
All alone in my
home
Alone in my home
Nobody can touch
me.
