The Big Three Killed My Baby

"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".

Track listing

References

• White Stripes.net FAQ. Retrieved June 11, 2009.