The Big Three Killed My Baby
Encyclopedia
"The Big Three Killed My Baby" was released in March 1999 as a 7" single
and is the third track on re-releases of The White Stripes
, the eponymous debut of the Detroit-based American garage rock
band The White Stripes
. A live recording of the song is featured on Under Blackpool Lights
; the band's first official DVD release. The single is backed with "Red Bowling Ball Ruth".
"The Big Three" refers to the three major automakers
in the 1950s and 1960s: Ford
, Chrysler
and General Motors
. The song is an attack on these companies, relating to the fall of labor unions in the 1960s. Jack White
has stated in interviews that he does not believe music to be a viable medium for political messages and until the 2007 release of "Icky Thump
" (which criticizes American immigration policy
) it was the White Stripes' only political song of note. The song mentions "Tucker's blood", a reference to Preston Tucker
's ill-fated Tucker Torpedo. More recently, The White Stripes have performed the song live with alternate lyrics referring to the Iraq War: "Bush
's hands are turning red... and I found out your baby is dead."
The photo that the band is standing in front of on the single's cover has a note on it, which reads "Insert your money here".
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
and is the third track on re-releases of The White Stripes
The White Stripes (album)
The White Stripes is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band The White Stripes, released on June 15, 1999. The album was produced by Jim Diamond and vocalist/guitarist Jack White, recorded in January 1999 at Ghetto Recorders and Third Man Studios in Detroit...
, the eponymous debut of the Detroit-based American garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
. A live recording of the song is featured on Under Blackpool Lights
Under Blackpool Lights
Under Blackpool Lights is the first official DVD released by The White Stripes. It has since been out of print and hailed as a must for White Stripes fans....
; the band's first official DVD release. The single is backed with "Red Bowling Ball Ruth".
"The Big Three" refers to the three major automakers
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
in the 1950s and 1960s: Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
and General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
. The song is an attack on these companies, relating to the fall of labor unions in the 1960s. Jack White
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
has stated in interviews that he does not believe music to be a viable medium for political messages and until the 2007 release of "Icky Thump
Icky Thump (song)
"Icky Thump" is a song recorded by the American alternative rock band The White Stripes. Written by Jack White, it is the first single released from Icky Thump.-History:...
" (which criticizes American immigration policy
Immigration to the United States
Immigration to the United States has been a major source of population growth and cultural change throughout much of the history of the United States. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants,...
) it was the White Stripes' only political song of note. The song mentions "Tucker's blood", a reference to Preston Tucker
Preston Tucker
Preston Thomas Tucker was an American automobile designer and entrepreneur.He is most remembered for his 1948 Tucker Sedan , an automobile which introduced many features that have since become widely used in modern cars...
's ill-fated Tucker Torpedo. More recently, The White Stripes have performed the song live with alternate lyrics referring to the Iraq War: "Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's hands are turning red... and I found out your baby is dead."
The photo that the band is standing in front of on the single's cover has a note on it, which reads "Insert your money here".