Fact Finder - Music

Fact
The 'Seven Nation Army' Riff Myth
Category
Music
Subcategory
Famous Singers & Bands
Country
United States
Description
The White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' features one of the most recognizable riffs in rock history. While it sounds like a bass guitar, the song actually contains no bass. Jack White played the riff on a semi-acoustic guitar (a 1950s Kay Hollowbody) through a DigiTech Whammy pedal set to an octave below. This gave it the deep, growling tone of a bass. White originally intended to save the riff in case he was ever asked to write a theme for a James Bond movie, but he eventually decided the song was too good to wait. Ironically, he did eventually record a Bond theme, 'Another Way to Die,' for 'Quantum of Solace.' 'Seven Nation Army' has since become a global sports anthem, sung by crowds at football stadiums around the world, often without the fans even knowing the name of the band.