5 Songs I Hope Jack White Plays at Pine Knob This Weekend

Hello. I am Jacki, and if you know me, you also know that I love Jack White. So much so that I feel it is part of my personality. He’s one of those people that, when things happen to him/about him/around him, I get a bunch of texts and messages from folks making sure I saw it.

I have OCD and Jack White has been my favorite musical artist for over 20 years. Yeah, I saw your message. That doesn’t mean I want you to stop sending me messages about him, though. I relish every chance I get to talk about him and his genius.

Sometimes the message comes in the form of:

“Hi, I have a ticket for Jack White’s sold out show next month. Do you want to come with me?”

And my answer almost immediately came in the form of:

“Yes, omg, yes, please tell me where to send the money for my ticket!!!! EEEEE!!!”

And now the show is upon us. This weekend KPerks and I will be going to see Jack White at Pine Knob.

Now, I have not been to Pine Knob before (KPerks has, though). I brought it up in ceramics class today, and they told me there was a hill involved. I’m glad about that, because that will definitely inform my shoe decision. They ain’t cute, but I’m probably wearing my yard work shoes on Saturday, along with a light blue skirt (with pockets!) and a black and white striped crop-ish top with red trim around the neck and sleeves. And socks from Third Man Records, of course.

Apparently the whole venue is like a natural amphitheater. I am sensing a me and KPerks at concerts theme here, cause the last show we saw together was Weird Al at Red Rocks (AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING). I’m excited to see the space, particularly because Jack White decided to open the doors early and add a second stage with local bands, plus cheap beer and hot dogs (low-key really excited about the hot dogs, y’all).

There is also tailgating involved, and I’ve never tailgated before, so this should be interesting. Yes, I am making a special lollipop flavor for the event. It will be called “Frozen Charlotte,” and I will try my best to capture the signature Jack White shade of blue.

Some more things I want to say before I get into this list of songs I hope to hear him play.

Thing 1: I Have Been a Member of the Third Man Records Vault for a VLT*

*Very Long Time

That means I have a LOT of Jack White records. A lot of Raconteurs records. A lot of records from artists that have inspired Jack White. And most importantly, a LOT of The White Stripes records.

This whole shelf is filled with (almost) nothing but Vault releases, aside from whichever one is currently on the turntable or in the “up next” position:

Throughout this post, I will share some photos of these Vault releases. Yes, they will mostly be The White Stripes. They are my favorite, what can I say? I like the rawness of sound.

Thing 2: This Will Not Be My First Time Seeing Jack White Live

Almost exactly 20 years ago (give or take a few months), I saw The Raconteurs at Hard Rock Live in Orlando. Huge, immense thanks to my friend Gary, who was a radio DJ at the time. He got me free tickets to see my hero, and I am forever grateful to him. He also has one of the most knowledgeable beer brains of anyone I’ve ever known (and I know a lot of beer people). And in conclusion, Gary’s wife Alice is also one of the coolest humans I know, so unafraid to be herself and love the things she loves without shame. I love that (and her).

It was a good show, but they didn’t do any The White Stripes songs; they just played through the first Raconteurs album from top to bottom. I remember being very taken when they performed “Blue Veins,” and Jack faced the back of the stage when they did the backwards part. I also went with someone who didn’t give two shits about the music (or making me happy for that matter), so I didn’t get to enjoy the show fully.

This time will not be like that. KPerks likes Jack White and accepts me just as I am, so we’re gonna have a blast. So, without further ado, here are the five songs I hope Jack White plays at Pine Knob on Saturday.

But first, some honorable mentions in no particular order. (Also, I didn’t mention the obvious ones like “Fell in Love With a Girl” or “Seven Nation Army” because I assume those songs are getting played no matter what.)

Honorable mentions:

• “You’ve Got Her In Your Pocket” – The White Stripes
  • This song fills me with a quiet joy.
• “Apple Blossom” – The White Stripes
• “Dollar Bill” – Jack White
• “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine” – The White Stripes
  • Love singing this one.
• “It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)” – Jack White
• “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” – The White Stripes
  • I mean, this is a near-perfect song that I would love to hear live.
• “Sixteen Saltines” – Jack White
  • THE ENERGY
• “My Doorbell” – The White Stripes
  • I remember early in my career, working at a tech company when this album came out. We listened to it so much, so loud, and all sang along. It was just a moment in my life that I will never forget.
• “Astro” – The White Stripes
• “Old Enough” – The Raconteurs
  • Something about being in the outdoors, in a lawn seating situation just feels right, you know?
• “Ball and Biscuit” – The White Stripes
  • Take me right back to the beginning o
• “Hello Operator” – The White Stripes
  • I just want to hear him sing “Can you give me number nine?” live, please and thank you.
• “That Black Bat Licorice” – Jack White
• “Icky Thump” – The White Stripes
  • Back in 2016, I bought one of the “Icky Trump” shirts Third Man Records released, and it is still one of my most prized possessions. I have since cut it into an off-the-shoulder number, though.
• “The Hardest Button to Button” – The White Stripes
• “I Cut Like A Buffalo” – The Dead Weather
• “What’s the Rumpus?” – Jack White
• “Blue Orchid” – The White Stripes
  • I remember listening to this entire
• “Blue Veins” – The Raconteurs
  • Swaying with a big group of people who love this music might heal my soul?
• “Broken Boy Soldier” – The Raconteurs
• “Screwdriver” – The White Stripes
• “When I Hear My Name” – The White Stripes
  • I want to scream-sing this with a massive group of people so bad, y’all.

Okay, and here are the top five songs I would like to hear Jack White play on Saturday… in a VERY particular order.

Number 5: “Carolina Drama” – The Raconteurs

This song takes me right back to the first road trip Mickey, the kids, and I took to Georgia. We each made mix tapes for the trip and took turns playing them. When this song came on (it was on my CD, ofc), I made sure everyone paid attention to the story of it. We had to restart it multiple times to pick up the nuances and clear up arguments we had about what was really happening.

It just brings me back to happy times, like… how happy I was sharing this long-ass song that I loved and it being well-received instead of ignored.

Number 4: “Archbishop Harold Holmes” – Jack White

When “No Name” came out two years ago, this was an early fave for me. Then, the music video came out, and John C. Reilly really brought this to life. I hope to hear this one live mostly for the vibes, but also secretly because I have secret hope that John C. Reilly might show up in one way or another.

Here is the music video for your viewing pleasure:

Number 3: “The Union Forever” – The White Stripes

<Stefon voice> This song has it all: chill vibes, great guitar, movie references, intelligent lyrics, my favorite number, slow parts, faster parts, swaying parts, singing parts.

You get the idea.

Plus, if I get the chance to hear (and sing along to) this part live, my life might be complete:

There is a man
A certain man
And for the poor you may be sure
That he’ll do all he can
Who is this one?
Whose favorite son?
Just by his action has the traction
Magnets on the run
Who likes to smoke?
Enjoys a joke?
And wouldn’t get a bit
Upset if he were really broke?
With wealth and fame
He’s still the same
I’ll bet you five you’re not alive
If you don’t know his name

Number 2: “Hotel Yorba” – The White Stripes

D bought me my first The White Stripes CD for my birthday one year because she noticed that I really loved two of their songs that played repeatedly on the radio when we drove to and from dance and school and wandering around Walgreens aimlessly, and went wherever else we could go to get out of the house.

The songs, of course, were “Fell in Love With a Girl” and “Seven Nation Army,” and at first I didn’t even know they were by the same band. Well, after D bought me that CD, a lifelong obsession was born.

Out of all The White Stripes songs that we’ve belted out at the tops of our lungs together, “Hotel Yorba” has always felt like “our” song. So, if he plays this one, I might cry.

Plus, Hotel Yorba is a real place here in Detroit, and it is for sale if anyone would like to give me money to buy it and turn it into an artist building or something.

Number 1: “Black Math” – The White Stripes

This song speaks to me in all parts of my body, and it has since the very first time I heard it. I didn’t even pay attention to the lyrics for, like, the first five years. My brain treats vocals like another instrument unless I really pay attention. After a while, I learned that almost all of Jack White’s lyrics are worth paying attention to.

The energy gets me. The driving beat understands me. There is something simply primal about this damn song, y’all. It speaks to me. I love it.

This is my favorite song. It’s that simple. If he plays it, I’m likely to lose my goddamned mind.

I am so excited, y’all. I’m excited to spend time with KPerks. I’m excited to go somewhere new. I’m excited to tailgate. I’m excited to see the local bands and openers Jack White curated for us. I’m excited to eat a hot dog.

But more than anything, I’m excited to see the second of two of my favorite musical artists in as many months.

Wonder what musical mischief I’ll get into next month? Anybody wanna carry me to a concert?