Jack White and the Unexpected Legacy of Seven Nation Army

Get the inside story on Jack White’s iconic “Seven Nation Army” track as he and Conan O’Brien discuss its rise as a global sports anthem.

I want to start by mentioning two things. First, I would absolutely join a “posse” that includes Jack White, Conan O’Brien, Kendrick Lamar, and Bob Newhart. Second, White is a music legend. Despite having an extensive catalog of top-tier music, he’s responsible for one of the most-played songs in U.S. history (and possibly worldwide) with “Seven Nation Army.” Can you imagine sitting in the stands and hearing that iconic opening riff, knowing you’re the one who wrote it?

Jack White and Conan O’Brien discussed this experience on Conan’s podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. Conan reminisces about attending a Dodgers game with White, where they sat near Kendrick Lamar and Bob Newhart. When the familiar notes of “Seven Nation Army” began to play, Conan was struck by the surreal realization that he was sitting next to the guy who wrote it. They also talk about how neither Jack nor Meg White could have predicted what the song would become when they first recorded it. At the time, it was just another track on the album, and they didn’t pay much attention to it. Little did they know it would become a global sports anthem, with countless fans who might not even realize that Jack White was the mastermind behind it.

Watch the full interview clip below:

Watch the “Seven Nation Army” music video from The White Stripes:

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