Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground

Album: White Blood Cells (2001)
Charted: 25
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song explores the mysteries of love. It is about a guy who fears that his life will be empty without his lover.
  • Jack White is a big fan of the blues, and in this song, he included some lyrics from a Son House song called "Death Letter":

    I didn't feel so bad 'til the good old sun went down
    I didn't have a soul to throw my arms around
    >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2
  • In the music video, directed by Academy Award-winning Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry, Jack comes home to find his apartment in shambles and we're shown the events that caused the destruction. Gondry is responsible for several White Stripes videos, including the innovative Lego-themed Fell In Love With A Girl.
  • Along with "We're Going To Be Friends," The White Stripes performed this song on their lone Saturday Night Live appearance, October 19, 2002. Both songs were released as singles from their third album, White Blood Cells, their last released on an indie label.

Comments: 4

  • Matias from CkdHow do you read the meaning of the lines below?
    (...)
    Well any man with a microphone
    Can tell you what he loves the most
    And you know why you love at all
    If you're thinking of the Holy Ghost
  • Aubrae\ from Ewa Beach, HiI believe the documentary you are referring to is called "It Might Get Loud"
  • Eb from Fl Keys, FlThis song is sublime poetry about real passionate love and longing - missing someone real bad when you have to be apart.
  • Bay from Weaverville, CaGreat song, i love it. I suggest everybody watches the documentary called 'Lets get loud'
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.