The Union Forever by The White Stripes

Album: White Blood Cells (2001)

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The lyrics are based on the classic 1941 movie Citizen Kane, one of Jack White's favorites. The film is about a business tycoon named Charles Foster Kane, based in part on the publisher William Randolph Hearst. Through the lens, we see how all the riches in the world can amount to nothing when it's all said and done. The song encapsulates these themes, particularly in this section, where C.F.K. is Kane's initials:

Sure I'm C.F.K.
But you gotta love me
The cost no man can say
But you gotta love me
The title comes from a line of dialogue in the film where Charles Foster Kane, as a child is playing in the snow, pretending to be a Union soldier. He says:

The terms are unconditional surrender!
Up and at 'em!
The Union forever!
The song is part of the third White Stripes album, White Blood Cells. This was a transitional time for the duo, which was building a following in the UK and also in Jack's hometown of Detroit. The two members, Jack and Meg White, had recently been exposed as a divorced couple, not siblings like they told the press (Jack was born Jack Gillis; he took her name when they got married in 1996). Their sound was very organic and raw, a stark contrast to the pop music of 2001, so they didn't have to worry about getting too much media attention. That changed in 2003 when they released "Seven Nation Army," a rare White Stripes song with a booming bassline.

Comments: 8

Harry M from Raleigh, NcI honestly thought it was about divorce, or conflict with a rock start musician type marrying or trying to marry into a family that's really conservative and old money, until i read it was about the movie (which i haven't seen). So maybe he purposely assembled the lyrics to be in a way to be interpreted with a relevant message and not just as a tribute. Jack's lyrics are much more complex than I think people give him credit for. This is easily my favorite white stripes song. Little Room maybe ties it.
Ice from Your Mom, CtAnyone else notice that the spoken part bears a very heavy resemblance to The Hardest Button to Button?
Adrian from Brookings, SdI love all the different countries being represented by our commenters for this song. Awesome song by the way, hehe. Awesome band!!
Dragonkillernz from Christchurch, New ZealandMan, the White Stripes can sound so raw, it's a great contrast to the polished sound of much of the music being made these days. It's fantastic and I'm a big fan of the White Stripes.
Caroline from Jingletown, United StatesThis song strings together lots of different parts from Citizen Kane:

"It can't be love, for there is no true love"
(The jazz singer at the picnic/barbecue sings this)

"Sure, I'm C.F.K, but you gotta love me"
(C.F.K.'s (Charles Foster Kane's) wife Susan says this to him in an argument)

"The price, no man can say"
(Described in the newsreel as the cost of Xanadu, his mansion)

"There is a man, a certain man, who for the poor you may be sure that he'll do all he can...I bet you five you're not alive if you don't know his name"
(A song sung to him in celebration of Kane's newspaper.)

"The union forever!"
(Kane says this as a little kid.)

Oh, the things you learn in Film Study! Anyway, I love this song, and I think it's awesome that they made such a great song dedicated to such a great movie.
Ashley from Moncton, CanadaThis is a cool song and it's my favourite White Stripes song.
Dingleberry Bob from Detroit, Mithis is cool
Andy from Halifax, EnglandPresumably (although I have no basis for this apart from the lyrics) a reaction to divorce in a family close to Jack's, possibly even his own.

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