Taking Me Back

Last updated
"Taking Me Back"
Jack White - Taking Me Back single cover art.jpg
Single by Jack White
from the album Fear of the Dawn
B-side "Taking Me Back (Gently)"
ReleasedOctober 18, 2021 (2021-10-18)
Recorded2021
Studio Third Man (Nashville)
Genre
Length
  • 4:05 (Single version)
  • 3:59 (Album version)
Label Third Man
Songwriter(s) Jack White
Producer(s) Jack White
Jack White singles chronology
"Ice Station Zebra"
(2018)		"Taking Me Back"
(2021)		"Love Is Selfish"
(2022)

"Taking Me Back" is a song by American rock musician Jack White. Released on 18 October 2021, it was his first new solo music in over three years. [1] The song served as the lead single from his 2022 album Fear of the Dawn , and its B-side, a mellower acoustic re-recording of the song entitled "Taking Me Back (Gently)", was also the first song released from his second album of 2022, Entering Heaven Alive .

Contents

Composition

Musically, "Taking Me Back" has been described as hard rock [2] [3] and garage rock. [4] The song features a relatively minimal arrangement in which White himself plays every instrument, such as guitar with effects over it paired with drums and other percussion as well as various synthesizers. [5] Wall of Sound stated that the song's structure "crescendos into an instrumental medley which holds the track’s rhythm in a wonderful way", and the track overall was described by Stereogum as a "serrated riff-rocker with yelpy electric-shock vocals and some unhinged guitar action". [6] [7]

Release and promotion

Jack White first hinted at new music in an interview with Telegraph on September 30, 2021, while a more straightforward tease was made in a post on his official Instagram account on October 14. [8] [9] "Taking Me Back" was officially revealed on October 18, 2021, as part of the soundtrack and promotional campaign of the video game Call of Duty: Vanguard , and on that same day a lyric video featuring footage from the game was uploaded to White's YouTube channel along with a visualizer for "Taking Me Back (Gently)". [10] [11] The lyric video was also uploaded to the official Call of Duty YouTube channel two days later. [12]

On November 11, 2021, it was revealed that the songs were tied to two new upcoming studio albums, with the titles and tracklists of both Fear of the Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive being revealed on White's website. [13] Also on November 11, the official music video for "Taking Me Back" - directed by Jack White and Lauren Dunn - was premiered on White's YouTube Channel, gaining almost a million views within its first week on the site. [14] [15] On January 7, 2022, White uploaded a video of an in-studio live rehearsal of the track to YouTube to introduce the lineup of his backing band for the Supply Chain Issues Tour that he would begin on April 8 of that year in support of both Fear of the Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive. [16] [17]

The song was also used by TNT and TBS for their coverage of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. [18] White performed the song as part of a medley with the title track of Fear of the Dawn on the February 25, 2023, episode of Saturday Night Live . [19]

Reception

"Taking Me Back" was met with primarily positive reviews, and was White's first song as a solo artist to top a Billboard chart. [20] In a review that gives the song a 9/10 score, Redbrick states that the "enthralling" track "boasts [the] raw, exhilarating, and electrifying energy for which [Jack White] is known and loved", describing its guitar solo as "face-melting" and concluding that White has made an "exciting, vociferous, and energetic" comeback. [21] Wall of Sound commented that "White is on point more than ever and spills awesome grooves across the track", additionally stating that the song's pairing with its mellow counterpart shows "[impressive] diversity" and that "the concept of two different versions is fantastic". [22] Premier Guitar called the track "incendiary", Pitchfork described it as "raging", The Guardian dubbed it "a bop", and NME envisioned it as "riding a storm of fuzz rock riffs [as it] sets out on the road to rock redemption". [23] [24] [25] [26] In relation to his previous work, Variety characterized the "hard rocking" track as featuring "skronking guitar effects" reminiscent of White's previous album – 2018's divisively experimental Boarding House Reach – while Rolling Stone found White to be "[back] in his wheelhouse of percussive, blown-out rock & roll". [27] [28]

Track listing

Digital release and 7-inch vinyl (Third Man TMR 748)

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Taking Me Back"4:05
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Taking Me Back (Gently)"4:36

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Taking Me Back"
Chart (2021–2022)Peak
position
Canada Rock ( Billboard ) [29] 4
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [30] 27
US Rock Airplay ( Billboard ) [31] 1

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The White Stripes</span> American rock duo

The White Stripes were an American rock duo from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 1997. The group consisted of Jack White and Meg White. They were a leading group of the 2000s indie rock and garage rock revival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack White</span> American musician (born 1975)

John Anthony White is an American musician who served as the guitarist and lead singer of the rock duo the White Stripes. White is widely credited as one of the key artists in the garage rock revival of the 2000s. He has won 12 Grammy Awards, and three of his solo albums have reached number one on the Billboard 200. Rolling Stone ranked him number 32 on its 2023 list of greatest guitarists of all time. David Fricke's 2010 list ranked him at number 17. In 2012, The New York Times called White "the coolest, weirdest and savviest rockstar of our time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Von Bondies</span> American rock band

The Von Bondies are an American rock band formed in 1997. The band's breakthrough album, Pawn Shoppe Heart, was released in 2004 and features the singles "C'mon C'mon" and "Tell Me What You See".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Shook Me All Night Long</span> 1980 single by AC/DC

"You Shook Me All Night Long" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, from the album Back in Black. The song also reappeared on their later album Who Made Who. It is AC/DC's first single with Brian Johnson as the lead singer, replacing Bon Scott who died of alcohol poisoning in February 1980. It reached number 35 on the USA's Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1980. The single was re-released internationally in 1986, following the release of the album Who Made Who. The re-released single in 1986 contains the B-side(s): B1. "She's Got Balls" ; B2. "You Shook Me All Night Long".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Orchid</span> 2005 single by the White Stripes

"Blue Orchid" is the first track by the American alternative rock band the White Stripes from their album Get Behind Me Satan, and the first single to be released from the album. The song was released six weeks after it was written. Although it was suspected that Jack White wrote the song about his breakup with Renée Zellweger, he has denied this claim. Lyrically, "Blue Orchid" is about White's longing for classical entertainment industries and the turmoil that the newer industries sent him through.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seven Nation Army</span> 2003 single by the White Stripes

"Seven Nation Army" is a song by American rock duo the White Stripes. It is the opening track on their fourth studio album, Elephant (2003). V2 Records released the song to American alternative radio on February 17, 2003, as the lead single from the album. Worldwide, the single was issued through XL Recordings. Written and produced by Jack White, the song consists of distorted vocals, a simple drumbeat, and a bass line created by playing a guitar through a pitch shift effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman (John Lennon song)</span> 1981 single by John Lennon

"Woman" is a song written and performed by English singer John Lennon from his 1980 album Double Fantasy. The track was chosen by Lennon to be the second single released from the Double Fantasy album, and it was the first Lennon single issued after his murder on 8 December 1980. The B-side of the single is Ono's song "Beautiful Boys".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Kill</span> 2006 single by Thirty Seconds to Mars

"The Kill" (written "The Kill (Bury Me)" on the single and music video) is a song by American band Thirty Seconds to Mars. The song was released on January 24, 2006 as the second single from their second album, A Beautiful Lie. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaked at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salute Your Solution</span> 2008 single by the Raconteurs

"Salute Your Solution" is a song by the Raconteurs. It is the first single from their second album Consolers of the Lonely. It was released on March 25, 2008 the same day as the album release. Jack White and Brendan Benson share lead vocal duties on the track. The song was featured in commercials for NFL on Fox, the 2009 comedy film Zombieland, the 2012 action film Premium Rush, the 2017 Power Rangers movie, and the launch trailer for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The song was also in the 2023 film The Flash, the documentary Warren Miller's Children of Winter, and is available as downloadable content for music games Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Reputation (Joan Jett song)</span> 1980 single by Joan Jett

"Bad Reputation" is a rock song co-written and recorded by Joan Jett from her debut album of the same name. It remains one of her signature songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dead Weather</span> American rock band

The Dead Weather is an American rock supergroup, formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2009. Composed of Alison Mosshart, Jack White, Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence. The Dead Weather debuted at the opening of Third Man Records' Nashville headquarters on March 11, 2009. The band performed live for the first time at the event, immediately before releasing their debut single "Hang You from the Heavens".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pineapple Thief</span> British progressive rock band

The Pineapple Thief are a British progressive rock band, started by Bruce Soord in 1999 in Somerset, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bright Light Social Hour</span> Rock band from Texas

The Bright Light Social Hour is an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Jackie O'Brien on bass and vocals, Curtis Roush on guitar and vocals, Zac Catanzaro on drums, Mia Carruthers on keys and vocals, and Juan Alfredo Ríos on percussion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivia Jean</span> American musician

Olivia Jean Markel White is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She is known as the lead singer and guitarist of the all-female garage-goth rock band the Black Belles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack White discography</span>

American singer Jack White has released five studio albums, six live albums, one compilation album, and 20 singles. Prior to releasing solo records, White recorded albums with several bands, including the White Stripes, the Raconteurs, and the Dead Weather. Throughout his career, he has also produced the works of many other artists and made guest appearances on albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bite Me (song)</span> 2021 single by Avril Lavigne

"Bite Me" is a song by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne. It was released on November 10, 2021, through Elektra Records and as Lavigne's debut on Travis Barker's label DTA Records. It is the lead single from Lavigne's seventh studio album, Love Sux (2022). The song was noted by critics as a return to Lavigne's pop-punk roots. The song peaked at number 63 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 61 on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Fear of the Dawn</i> 2022 studio album by Jack White

Fear of the Dawn is the fourth studio album by the American rock musician Jack White, released on April 8, 2022, through Third Man Records. The album was written in Nashville and recorded throughout 2021 at Third Man Studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">End of Me (Billy Talent song)</span> 2021 single by Billy Talent featuring Rivers Cuomo

"End of Me" is a song by Canadian punk band Billy Talent. It was released on September 10, 2021 as the fourth single for their sixth album, Crisis of Faith, and features Weezer frontman, Rivers Cuomo, on guest vocals. The song was written by Ben Kowalewicz, Ian D'Sa, Jonathan Gallant, Jordan Hastings, and Cuomo.

The Supply Chain Issues Tour was a concert tour by American musician Jack White, in support of his fourth and fifth studio albums, respectively, Fear of the Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive (2022). The tour began on April 8, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan and ended on February, 24, 2023 in Aspen, Colorado.

<i>Entering Heaven Alive</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Jack White

Entering Heaven Alive is the fifth studio album by the American rock musician Jack White, released on July 22, 2022, through Third Man Records.

References

  1. ↑ "JACK WHITE RETURNS WITH "TAKING ME BACK" | Jack White" . Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  2. ↑ Zhou, Gomi (October 25, 2021). "Jack White — Taking Me Back". Euphoria. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  3. ↑ Maxwell, Jackson (October 18, 2021). "Jack White returns with hard-hitting, fuzz-drenched new single, Taking Me Back". Guitar World . Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Jack White Roars Back: Listen to His Snarling New Single, "Taking Me Back," Featured in 'Call of Duty: Vanguard'". Rock Cellar. October 18, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ "JACK WHITE RETURNS WITH "TAKING ME BACK"". Third Man Records – Official Store. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  6. ↑ Aarons, Ricky (2021-10-19). "Jack White Returns With Two Versions of New Single 'Taking Me Back'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  7. ↑ "Jack White Shares New Single "Taking Me Back" From 'Call Of Duty: Vanguard': Listen". Stereogum. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  8. ↑ Perry, Andrew (2021-09-30). "Jack White on new music, Damien Hirst and why the colour beige makes him rage". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  9. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  10. ↑ Jack White – Taking Me Back (Call of Duty: Vanguard Lyric Video) , retrieved 2022-11-04
  11. ↑ Jack White – Taking Me Back (Gently) [Visualizer] , retrieved 2022-11-04
  12. ↑ Jack White – Taking Me Back Lyric Video | Call of Duty: Vanguard , retrieved 2022-11-04
  13. ↑ "JACK WHITE UNVEILS FEAR OF THE DAWN AND ENTERING HEAVEN ALIVE + "TAKING ME BACK" OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERES TODAY | Jack White" . Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  14. ↑ Jack White – Taking Me Back (Official Video) , retrieved 2022-11-04
  15. ↑ "Jack White – Taking Me Back (Official Video) - YouTube". YouTube . 2021-11-18. Archived from the original on 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  16. ↑ Shutler, Ali (2022-01-08). "Watch Jack White perform new single 'Taking Me Back' live". NME. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  17. ↑ "JACK WHITE ANNOUNCES THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES TOUR | Jack White" . Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  18. ↑ National Hockey League, Official Twitter Account (6 April 2022). "2022 Stanley Cup Promo". 6 November 2022.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  19. ↑ Gonzalez, Alex (2023-02-26). "Jack White Was Electrifying In A Performance Of 'Taking Me Back' And 'Fear Of The Dawn' On 'SNL'". Uproxx. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  20. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (2022-02-01). "Jack White Scores First Solo Radio Chart No. 1 With 'Taking Me Back'". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  21. ↑ "Single Review: Jack White - Taking Me Back | Redbrick Music". Redbrick. 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  22. ↑ Aarons, Ricky (2021-10-19). "Jack White Returns With Two Versions of New Single 'Taking Me Back'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  23. ↑ "Jack White Releases "Taking Me Back" - Premier Guitar". www.premierguitar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  24. ↑ "Jack White: Fear of the Dawn". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  25. ↑ Empire, Kitty (2022-04-10). "Jack White: Fear of the Dawn review – crackles with energy". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  26. ↑ Beaumont, Mark (2022-04-08). "Jack White – 'Fear Of The Dawn' review: guitar wizard meets the audience halfway". NME. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  27. ↑ Aswad, Jem (2021-10-18). "Jack White Returns With Rocking New Single, 'Taking Me Back'". Variety. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  28. ↑ Blistein, Jon (2021-10-18). "Jack White Returns With a Blast of Guitars on New Song 'Taking Me Back'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  29. ↑ "Jack White Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Jack White Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Jack White Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.