The Big Three Killed My Baby

Single infobox
Name = The Big Three Killed My Baby


Artist = The White Stripes
from Album = The White Stripes
Released = March 1999
Format = 7"
Recorded = January 1999
Length = 2:29
Label = XL Recordings
Producer = Jack White
Chart position =
Reviews = | Last single = "Lafayette Blues"
(1998)
This single = "The Big Three Killed My Baby"
(1999)
Next single = "Hand Springs"
(1999) |

"The Big Three Killed My Baby" is the third track on "The White Stripes", the eponymous debut of the Detroit, Michigan garage rock band The White Stripes. It was released in March 1999 as a 7", and is the first single from the album. It is backed with "Red Bowling Ball Ruth".

"The Big Three" refers to the three major car manurfacturing monopolies in the 1950s and 1960s, Ford, Chrysler and GM. The song is an attack on these companies, and oil companies in general, relating to the fall of labor unions in the 60s. Until the 2007 release of "Icky Thump" (which criticizes American immigration policy) it was the White Stripes' only political song of note. Jack White has said that he does not believe music to be a viable medium of political influence, but this song contains many lyrics of a political nature. The song mentions Tucker's blood, a reference to Preston Tucker's ill-fated Tucker Torpedo, and the photo that the band is standing in front of on the single's cover art reads "Insert your money here." 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 Big Three Killed My Baby" has been used by political film director and activist Michael Moore as a musical introduction to some of his public speeches.

Track listing

# The Big Three Killed My Baby - 2:29
# Red Bowling Ball Ruth - 2:05

References

http://www.whitestripes.net/faq.php#songmeanings