ALL The Raconteurs Songs RANKED
I can’t say that The Raconteurs are a better band than The White Stripes, but they do have a higher ratio of good to bad songs on each album. So to become more familiar with them, I delved into the band’s three existing albums and ranked all of them from worst to best (excluding covers).
34. Call it a Day (Broken Boy Soldiers)
I can’t really say I hate this song, but it’s so dull and boring that it had to go last on the list. It totally fits the song – I’ll give it that – but I couldn’t have it beat out the other, more enthusiastic songs in the band’s discography.
33. Pull This Blanket Off (Consolers of the Lonely)
I have yet to meet someone who likes this song. It’s not completely terrible, but the vocals are nasal, and you can find a better piano/keys riff with songs like “Shine a Light on Me.”
32. Hold Up (Consolers of the Lonely)
Consolers of the Lonely is a great album, but it also has the largest percentage of songs that I really don’t care for. I’m compelled to say I hate “Hold Up,” but it’s really not that bad of a song, I just find the others more enjoyable.
31. Old Enough (Consolers of the Lonely)
Another song that is somewhat charming, but the mood can be better enjoyed through other songs like “Top Yourself.”
30. Yellow Sun (Broken Boy Soldiers)
I have similar feelings towards this song as I do with “Call it a Day.” But “Yellow Sun” has a simple charm to it that is still enjoyable enough anytime it turns on. And you’ve got to love Jack White’s harmonies on top of Brendan Benson’s deep vocals.
29. Store Bought Bones (Broken Boy Soldiers)
“Store Bought Bones” isn’t a bad song, but it’s really loose and messy. I guess that’s the point, but there are certainly better written songs on the record.
28. Live a Lie (Help Us Stranger)
I sometimes question if “Live a Lie” is really the worst song on Help Us Stranger. And then I think about the tracklist and realize there isn’t a bad song on the album. As for “Live a Lie,” the song has some amazing melodies, but it’s a bit too pop for Jack White. It would seem to be better fitting for a Brendan Benson album rather than The Raconteurs.
27. Somedays (Help Us Stranger)
This track is one of those songs that I feel like I should hate for similar reasons as “Live a Lie,” but I just don’t. It has a nice swing to it, and though I don’t think of it as a good Raconteurs song most of the time, I still find myself enjoying it when it comes on.
26. Attention (Consolers of the Lonely)
This is the first Raconteurs song I ever heard back in 2017 (fun fact), and I thought it would’ve been one of the best by the group at the time. We all love Jack White, But while he may have the better vocals for grit rock, Benson has some pipes that are often overlooked. Attention has some great takes, but it fell so low due to its lack of prominence compared to the rest of Consolers of the Lonely.
25. Don’t Bother Me (Help Us Stranger)
I can’t hate this song. It’s a fun, banging number that furthers the mood of the album. You can’t hate Jack’s “Don’t bother me bother me” backing vocals even though you have to admit it doesn’t have a lot going for it.
24. Bored and Razed (Help Us Stranger)
This is a fairly beloved opening truck, but it’s never been my favorite. I like the guitars and drums, but the vocals and lyrics fall a bit short compared to the instruments.
23. Salute Your Solution (Consolers of the Lonely)
I can see the appeal for this track, but it’s too similar to other tracks by this band and others that it isn’t as special to me compared to other songs.
22. Thoughts and Prayers (Help Us Stranger)
Somedays, I just can’t get myself to remember how the song goes for the life of me. At some point, it was even at the bottom of the list. But although it’s not as upbeat as some of the other Raconteurs tracks (“Racks,” am I right?!), The melody is like a cool breeze on a melancholy autumn day, the low tempo matching the rhythm of the emotions expressed in this song. It’s probably Jack White’s best singing of any other Raconteurs track, and his lyrics practically chill you to the bone as he whispers, “There are reasons why it is this way.”
21. What’s Yours is Mine (Help Us Stranger)
I could name a few jaws that have dropped at the placement of this song on the list, but I, frankly, don’t care. This song is so addicting with the pounding guitars matching the syllables of “So listen very closely ‘cause I’m only going to say it twice, and if I have to say again it’s probably bad advice.” Jack White is pleasantly gritty against the pitches as his screeches with the lyrics of the verse. You can’t tell me this song has never been stuck in your head, and I can’t seem to get it out, myself.
20. Top Yourself (Consolers of the Lonely)
Probably the main reason this song made it so high is due to the way it gets stuck in your head. I am aware that I have brought this up referring to numerous Raconteurs tracks, but the great thing about Jack White is that there isn’t really a catchy song that you ever get annoyed by.
19. Shine the Light on Me (Help Us Stranger)
You’ve got to appreciate the piano hitting hard on the keys for this song. This has to be the greatest piano focus of any Jack White track, clearly blowing any similar White Stripes song out of the water. The notes drip down like falling stars on a dark night. With yet another unforgettable melody, I can’t think of any reason to hate this song.
18. Only Child (Help Us Stranger)
What I would say is the most underrated Help Us Stranger track, “Only Child” is only one of Brendan Benson‘s best compositions. It has the softness of the instrumentals of “Thoughts and Prayers” and the cooing vocals and lyrics of “Now That You’re Gone.”
17. These Stones Will Shout (Consolers of the Lonely)
“These Stones Will Shout” derives its greatness mainly from the sugary melody characterized by the spaces between the notes of “don’t speak softly” that climb up swiftly and then trickle down slowly and gently – it falls in a staccato fashion without being harsh and marcato. It swings a bit as it nudges you to either side, producing a slight whisper to it that speaks to you softly, as the lyrics suggest.
16. Hands (Broken Boy Soldiers)
“Hands” is a very dynamic track from the broken voice soldiers album. The guitar shifts and pounds like “Bored and Razed” at the beginning to welcome in Brendan’s soft-edged vocals in the verse, returning later like with “What’s Yours is Mine” as he joins with Jack’s harsher falsettos for the chorus.
15. Blue Veins (Broken Boy Soldiers)
“Blue Veins” was a new discovery for me getting ready to make this list, and I still can’t believe no one ever recommended it to me. It is probably the heaviest blues song in all of Jack White’s discography; the reversed tracks and reverberating guitars only add to the dark, detached atmosphere of the song. The speaker’s life is turning upside after meeting this girl, and so is the music of his soul as it literally bent over backwards in response to this newfound devotion. It is reminiscent of the mood of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” which enhances the image of the girl running like a drug through his veins.
14. You Don’t Understand Me (Consolers of the Lonely)
There are many underrated songs off of Consolers of the Lonely, and I’ll be the first to talk about this one if I have to. It’s another one of those tracks showcasing how well Brendan‘s and Jack’s voices blend together, and the piano adds a nice touch to it. Especially desirable is the bursting out of “You think you know how I feel.”
13. Level (Broken Boy Soldiers)
I couldn’t tell whether I should place “Level” above or below “You Don’t Understand Me,” but it won out eventually, mainly due to how iconic the tune is. Unlike songs like “Store Bought Bones,” the pounding rhythms of “Level” are calculated and tight. The melodies are stronger, and the vocals are more forward and centered (like a level).
12. Broken Boy Soldier (Broken Boy Soldiers)
Another track much better than “Store Bought Bones” (clearly), “Broken Boy Soldier” almost reminds me of a garage rock Nutcracker story. Jack’s vocals even seem a bit more youthful in the song, specifically as he sings, “The boy never gets older.” Everything is so distorted and fragile you almost worry the boy toy soldier will crumble to pieces before the song can end.
11. Together (Broken Boy Soldiers)
This song is certainly not the most popular song off Broken Boy Soldiers, but the harmonies and lyrics are so sweet and innocent, I couldn’t resist. It is another track that adds to the youthful innocence of the record, and I would have to go as far as to call it my favorite album from the band.
10. Five on the Five (Consolers of the Lonely)
I can’t get enough of the shrill guitars that open this track. The low volume of Jack’s voice combined with the subtle cracks at the higher pitches matches the rest of the song so perfectly.
9. Intimate Secretary (Broken Boy Soldiers)
I’ve always loved how this song has the sounds of a computer system. The lyrics seem almost nonsensical, but they are lovable and make the song even more charming.
8. Consoler of the Lonely (Consolers of the Lonely)
One of the most iconic riffs of The Raconteurs’ discography, there is really no need to mention the vocals of this song, brilliant as they may be. The vocals are more of the back-up voices while the gritty guitar contributes the lead.
7. Many Shades of Black (Consolers of the Lonely)
Yet another example of how great Brendan Benson is as a singer, “Many Shades of Black” combines the best aspects of “These Stones Will Shout” and “The Switch and the Spur.” We all love Jack’s voice, but Brendan is no doubt the better singer.
6. Sunday Driver (Help Us Stranger)
Being the lead single from The Raconteurs’ first album, “Sunday Driver” was (for many of us) our first introduction to the band’s 2019 comeback album. I love Help Us Stranger, but “Sunday Driver” was way too good for the album. It has a roadtrip vibe similar to that you might get from nostalgic hits such as “Life is a Highway,” and then you hear Jack’s screaming vocals of the chorus and you know that this song is something special. It’s easily lovable and catchy without sacrificing novelty or voice, and it was destined to make the top of any list about The Raconteurs.
5. Now That You’re Gone (Help Us Stranger)
This was my favorite song for the longest time, and I even dedicated time to it in my Help Us Stranger review. The song is not a joyous one, but the tone is so nonchalant and blasé that you could have fooled anyone. The base pounds like your heart and descends with the disappointment of the story, and the guitars offer a nice decant to Brendan‘s vocals with its whiny licks above the melody. And you’ve got to love how the panned guitars seem to quarrel with each other and toss which way and the next.
4. The Switch and the Spur (Consolers of the Lonely)
The best part of this song is by far the horn arrangements on top of the piano part. Brendan‘s voice matches the melody perfectly and the guitars back him up, building tension and providing the steady foundation for the melody to ride on. My favorite section, though, is easily the bridge – I can’t get enough of the lyrics over the staccato instrumentals.
Any pour souls who trespass against us
Whether it be beast or man
Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight
By those who inhabit this land
For there’s is the power and this is the kingdom
As sure as the sun does burn
So enter this path, but heed these four words
You shall never return
3. Help Me Stranger (Help Us Stranger)
If I’m being honest, “Help Me Stranger” is my favorite track off of Help Us Stranger because a friend of mine got it stuck in my head from a funny video. Regardless, the harmonies throughout the whole song are top-notch and really make the song, and the guitar offers its own harmonies in the spaces between the lines. Furthermore, the chorus is addicting and impossible to get out of your head.
2. Steady, As She Goes (Broken Boy Soldiers)
Easily the biggest hit of The Raconteurs’ career, to this day I continue to hear “Steady, As She Goes” on the radio and in retail stores. And for good reason – have you heard the guitars on this track? I loved The White Stripes as much as the next person, but I am so glad Jack White found another guitarist to play along with on an album – we would’ve never heard songs like this otherwise.
1. Carolina Drama (Consolers of the Lonely)
As I have mentioned numerous times before, “Carolina Drama” is the greatest Jack White composition (with “Would You Fight For My Love?” at a close second). The tone and pacing of the song perfectly aligns with the story, and I get goosebumps listening to it. Jack is definitely one of the best guitarists, but this song proves that he is also a brilliant plot writer and tension builder.
