Get Behind Me Satan

The album was conceived at a time when the band had felt "betrayed" and "burned" by close friends within the Detroit music scene such as Jason Stollsteimer, a member of the Von Bondies, which Jack had got into an altercation with in December 2003No byline (March 11, 2004), [https://www.nme.com/news/von-bondies/16373 "Von Bondies Speak Out Over Jack White Court Case"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821104121/http://www.nme.com/news/von-bondies/16373 |date=August 21, 2014 }} NME. Retrieved November 28, 2007. and Jim Diamond, who had filed a lawsuit against the band in October 2004, wanting partial owning rights of the masters and royalties of their first two albums, The White Stripes and De Stijl.{{cite web |last1= Dietderich |first1=Andrew |title=Studio owner sues White Stripes over album royalties |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20050620/SUB/506200888/studio-owner-sues-white-stripes-over-album-royalties |website=Crain's Detroit Business |access-date=April 3, 2025 |date=June 20, 2005}}{{cite magazine |last=Chick |first=Stevie |date=August 2005 |title= The White Stripes in Brazil, 2005 |magazine=MOJO |issn=1351-0193 |publisher=MOJO}}{{cite magazine |last=Dolan |first=Jon |date=July 2007 |title=New Jack City |magazine=BLENDER |publisher=Blender}} Jack had begun writing and recording demos for the album on a microcassette recorder throughout 2004 and early 2005.{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Andrew |title=The White Stripes Uncut |url=https://www.theguardian.com/observer/omm/story/0,13887,1349947,00.html |website=The Guardian |access-date=March 24, 2025 |date=November 14, 2004}}[https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFN29O8vmB0/ |user=The White Stripes |postid= |date=24 January 2025] Jack had written around 35 songs during this period with many of the songs that would be recorded for the album either having been completely written or partially written during the sessions.{{cite web |title=Morning Become Eclectic: The White Stripes |url=https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/morning-becomes-eclectic/the-white-stripes |website=KCRW |date=August 17, 2006 |access-date=11 September 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Hilburn |first1=Robert |title=Little White Truths |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-05-ca-white5-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |publisher=Los Angeles Times |access-date=March 2, 2024 |date=June 5, 2005}}

The album was recorded in around two weeks throughout late February and mid-March 2005 at Jack's home in Indian Village,{{cite web |date=March 23, 2005 |title=Stripes Album Finished |url=http://www.nme.com/news/111799.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050326022603/http://www.nme.com/news/111799.htm |archive-date=March 26, 2005 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |publisher=NME}}{{cite web |title=Jack White selling Detroit home-cum-studio |url=https://www.nme.com/news/white-stripes/24018 |website=nme.com |publisher=NME |access-date=16 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002164637/https://www.nme.com/news/white-stripes/24018 |archive-date=2 October 2012 |date=22 August 2006}} which was referred to as Third Man Studios in the press release and liner notes for the album.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Get Behind Me Satan |type=Liner notes, CD booklet |others=The White Stripes |id=63881-27256-2 |year=2005}}{{Cite web |title=The White Stripes: Biography |url=http://us.v2music.com/site/actbio.asp?ID=82 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051216061849/http://us.v2music.com/site/actbio.asp?ID=82 |archive-date=December 16, 2005 |access-date=April 29, 2025 |publisher=V2 Records}} Matthew Kettle, who had been mixing the band's live shows, recorded the album on a Studer 8 track tape machine.{{cite web |last1=Gross |first1=Terry |title=A White-Striped Trip: 'Get Behind Me Satan' |url=https://www.npr.org/2005/06/09/4696110/a-white-striped-trip-get-behind-me-satan |website=NPR |access-date=March 10, 2024 |date=June 9, 2005}} Six Coles 4038 microphones were exclusively used for the recording of the album.{{cite web |title=Jack White's Studio/GEt Behind Me Satan sound merged |url=https://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopic.php?t=31297 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |publisher=topeop.com |at=xpulsar 02-03-2006, 3:34 PM}}{{cite AV media notes|title= Elephant UHQR |last= Blackwell |first= Ben |year= 2023 |type= booklet |publisher= Third Man Records}} A Steinway grand piano was rented in order to achieve a fuller sound. The foyer served as the main recording space with the piano in the foyer and the drums situated on the second floor stair landing. Acoustic guitar and bongos were recorded in the living room. The dining room was used as the control room with vocals, marimbas, and additional overdubs also having been recorded in the room.{{cite web |title=5 Facts About ‘Get Behind Me Satan’ From Jack’s living room in Detroit came an album that continues to surprise, delight, and inspire listeners two decades later. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/jackwhite/comments/1l6dqu9/5_facts_about_get_behind_me_satan_from_jacks/ |publisher=reddit.com |at=I-am-ben-blackwell 06-12-2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/ZuVZ6 |archive-date=June 16, 2025 |access-date=June 18, 2025 |website=Reddit |language=en}}{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/money/2018/07/26/indian-village-home-once-belonged-jack-white/841998002/ |title=Indian Village home once belonged to Jack White |author=No byline |publisher=Detroit Free Press |date=July 26, 2018 |access-date=June 18, 2025}}

The band considered the recording sessions to be cursed as the tape machine and microphones would malfunction and water would drip from the ceiling. The cost of recording the album was under $10,000. The album cover and photos featured in the album liner notes were taken by Ewen Spencer during a five-day shoot at Jack’s home.{{cite web |last1=Chick |first1=Stevie |last2=Spencer |first2=Ewen |title=The White Stripes: Detroit's rock heroes remembered |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2011/feb/05/white-stripes-remembered |website=The Guardian |access-date=May 20, 2025 |date=February 4, 2011}}

Mixing was completed at Ardent Studios by John Hampton and Jack in late-March, with mastering completed by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk, two weeks prior to the release of the first single.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/mar/31/thewhitestripes |title=Stripes cut 10-day CD |last= Simpson |first=Dave |publisher=The Guardian |date=March 31, 2005 |access-date=May 8, 2025}}

Deemed the "most misunderstood entry in the White Stripes discography",{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Introducing Vault Package #63: The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan XX |url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/introducing-vault-package-63-the-white-stripes-get-behind-me-satan-xx?srsltid=AfmBOoq-42Keo8ytvj5wr1KC7m5-R5xvx5ZxWWWiM5TqKfcWx_XAWNTd |access-date=May 10, 2025 |website=Third Man Records – Official Store |language=en}} the album is basic in production but marks a distinct change from its 2003 guitar-heavy predecessor, Elephant. With its reliance on piano-driven melodies and experimentation with marimba on "The Nurse" and "Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)",{{cite web |last1=Schuh |first1=Michael |title=A Night At The Opera |url=https://laut.de/The-White-Stripes/Alben/Get-Behind-Me-Satan-8494 |website=laut.de |access-date=24 April 2025 |language=German |date=6 June 2005}} Get Behind Me Satan plays down the punk and garage rock{{cite web |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-white-stripes-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best/ |title=Ranking all of The White Stripes albums in order of greatness |last=Whatley |first=Jack |publisher=Far Out |date=March 23, 2021 |access-date=May 6, 2025}} influences that dominated earlier White Stripes albums and has been described as a primarily alternative rock, blues rock, blues,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.thefader.com/2011/02/02/feature-the-white-stripes-want-truth-romance-and-beauty-for-a-fallen-america |title=The White Stripes Want Truth, Romance and Beauty for a Fallen America |magazine=The Fader |date=August 2005 |access-date=April 29, 2025 |issn=1533-5194 |last=Welch |first=Will }}{{cite web |url=https://v13.net/2005/08/the-white-stripes/ |title=The White Stripes – “Get Behind Me Satan” [Album Review] |last= Willschick |first=Aaron |publisher=V13 |date=August 21, 2005 |access-date=June 11, 2025}} pop,{{cite web |url=http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/w/whitestripes-getbehindme.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050622011911/http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/w/whitestripes-getbehindme.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 22, 2005 |title=The White Stripes: Get Behind Me Satan |last=Gilstrap |first=Andrew |publisher=PopMatters |date=June 20, 2005 |access-date=May 5, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/the-white-stripes-icky-thump-2-41829/ |title=The White Stripes’ “Icky Thump” |last=Mulvey |first=John |publisher=Uncut |date=April 11, 2007 |access-date=May 5, 2025}} and country album. Jack plays with different technique than in the past, replacing electric guitar with piano, mandolin, and acoustic guitar on all but three tracks,{{cite journal |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/white-stripes/7659 |title=The White Stripes : Get Behind Me Satan |journal=NME |issn=0028-6362 |date=May 25, 2005 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Needham |first=Alex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011075310/http://www.nme.com/reviews/white-stripes/7659 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead}} as his usual riff-conscious lead guitar style is overtaken by a predominantly rhythmic approach.

File:Rita Hayworth-publicity.JPG served as a primary influence of Get Behind Me Satan.]]

Jack stated in an interview on the radio show Fresh Air that "truth is the number one theme throughout the album Get Behind Me Satan." Relating that point to the album's multiple reference to movie actress Rita Hayworth, White said she became an "all-encompassing metaphor" for the album since she changed her last name from something that revealed her Latina heritage, and the way celebrity was cast upon her. White told Rolling Stone, "Rita Hayworth became an all-encompassing metaphor for everything I was thinking about while making the album. There was an autograph of hers—she had kissed a piece of paper, left a lip print on it, and underneath it said, 'My heart is in my mouth.' I loved that statement and wondered why she wrote that. There was also the fact that she was Latino and had changed her name. She had become something different, morphed herself and was trying to put something behind her. And there was the shallowness of celebrity when it's thrown upon you. All of that was going around in these songs; what had been thrown on me, things I'd never asked for. Every song on that album is about truth."{{cite web |last=Fricke |first=David |author-link=David Fricke |date=August 25, 2005 |title=White on White |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7582742/cover_story_white_on_white |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220013111/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7582742/cover_story_white_on_white |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |access-date=June 20, 2008 |publisher=Rolling Stone Magazine}}

The album's title refers to a well-known line from the story of the Temptation of Jesus which is later repeated against the disciple Simon Peter, in {{Bibleref|Matthew|16:23}} of the New Testament. In the King James Version, the quotation is slightly different: "Get thee behind me, Satan".{{cite web |title=King James Version: Matthew Chapter 16 |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/kjv/mat016.htm |access-date=September 24, 2011 |at=verse 23}} Jack stated in an interview with Mojo the possible interpretations of the album title, "It can mean, you're either for me or against me. And if you're not going to help me, get out of my way. Or maybe it relates to the Devil's music, and having the Devil back you up while you're playing it. Or, perhaps it relates to aiming for the truth, for doing the right thing, and telling the Devil to take his temptations away."

Recorded near the end of the album sessions, Jack has stated in multiple interviews that "Blue Orchid" saved the album. When Jack had conceived the song, he said that the song made him want to play festivals. Basic tracking was done on March 10, 2005, with vocal overdubs completed on a later date.{{cite web |url=https://www.laweekly.com/instant-rock-for-the-people/ |title=Instant Rock for the People |last=Babcock |first=Jay |publisher=LA Weekly |date=May 5, 2005 |access-date=June 16, 2025}} The song was released as the first single for the album six weeks after it was written on April 18, 2005.{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1602|page=27|date=April 15, 2005}}{{cite web |last1=Kohn |first1=Daniel |title=Archivist Ben Blackwell Reveals the Stories Behind Their Greatest Hits |url=https://www.spin.com/2020/12/the-white-stripes-archivist-ben-blackwell-reveals-the-stories-behind-their-greatest-hits/ |website=SPIN |access-date=September 27, 2023 |date=December 3, 2020}} An Electro-Harmonix polyphonic octave generator guitar pedal was used on the track in order to achieve a heavier guitar sound, although they were limited by the amount of tracks on the tape they could use.{{cite magazine |last=Di Perna |first=Alan |date=August 2007 |title= Jack the Ripper |magazine= Guitar World |publisher=Guitar World}}

"The Nurse" is an experimental song, which features Jack playing marimba. The song was first tracked with marimba and drums, with electric guitar and additional drums later overdubbed in order to mask a poor tape edit. Jack was initially hesitant about the song due to the overdubs. When Jack let Brendan Benson hear an early mix of the song, Benson said it sounded like "some Brian Wilson shit."{{cite web |date=July 2, 2019 |title=Ben Blackwell Breaks It Down|url=https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/04e60f84-ea18-4773-86d0-888fb929a9dd/episodes/40d47e1f-9ac6-48c7-8ad6-84998e064130/the-third-men-podcast-100---ben-blackwell-breaks-it-down |access-date=April 2, 2025 |website=Amazon |publisher=The Third Men Podcast}} Jack has said that the song is about someone he had been in love with for over a decade.{{cite magazine |last=Male |first=Andrew |date=July 2007 |title=The Mojo Interview |magazine= MOJO |publisher=MOJO}}

"My Doorbell" was released as the second single for the album on July 11, 2005.{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1614|page=20|date=July 8, 2005}} The song has been described as being reminiscent of Motown music.{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Berry |title=Review: The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-white-stripes-get-behind-me-satan/ |website=slantmagazine.com |publisher=Slant Magazine |access-date=19 April 2025 |date=11 June 2005}} The song was recorded in two takes.[https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFdIADcOxq2/ |user=The White Stripes |postid= |date=30 January 2025]

"Little Ghost" is a bluegrass song which features Jack playing mandolin. Jack had written the song in ten minutes at a friend’s house.

"The Denial Twist" was the third and final single off the album, released on October 31, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue818.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 31st October 2005|publisher=ARIA|page=28|date=October 31, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20051119130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20051120-0000/issue818.pdf|archive-date=November 19, 2005|access-date=April 20, 2022}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The song took the most amount of time to record, with three takes having been recorded throughout the sessions.{{cite web |title=TheWhiteStripes C tapelabel |url=http://media.columbiarecords.com/jackwhite/timeline/TheWhiteStripes_C_tapelabel.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104191835/http://media.columbiarecords.com/jackwhite/timeline/TheWhiteStripes_C_tapelabel.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-01-04 |access-date=January 4, 2024 |website=Columbia Records}} The song features electric bass and Jack’s brother, Eddie Gillis, playing tambourine and shakers.{{cite AV media notes|title=The Denial Twist|others=The White Stripes|year=2005|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=XL Recordings|id=XLS 223CD}}{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/04/03/jack-white-third-man-detroit-vinyl-record-plant/7245428001/ |title=As Jack White returns home for a tour launch, his Detroit vinyl-record plant is riding high |last=Garza |first=Ryan |publisher=Detroit Free Press |date=April 3, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2025}}

"White Moon" is a ballad and is one of two songs that mention Rita Hayworth. On the first take of "White Moon", near the end of the song, a rack of bells can be heard crashing which was unintended. A second take was recorded with a guide vocal with the intent for it to be overdubbed later, but the first take would be ultimately chosen as it fit the tone of the album.[https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFN29O8vmB0/ |user=The White Stripes |postid= |date=24 January 2025] The song was originally titled "White Moon and the Red Headed Guest".{{cite web |title=Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016: White Moon |url=https://jackwhiteiii.com/timeline/#/1470421746856-white-moon |access-date=23 April 2025}}

"Instinct Blues" is a blues rock song that is about sexual frustration.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/may/29/popandrock.shopping |title=The devil you know |last=Empire |first=Kitty |publisher=The Guardian |date=May 28, 2005 |access-date=June 11, 2025}}

"Passive Manipulation" is the shortest song recorded by the band and features Meg White on vocals. The song is written from a female perspective.

"As Ugly As I Seem" is an acoustic folk song that features Jack singing and playing an acoustic guitar and Meg playing hand drums.{{cite web |title=Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016: As Ugly as I Seem |url=https://jackwhiteiii.com/timeline/#/1471976393385-as-ugly-as-i-seem |access-date=6 May 2025}}{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8653-get-behind-me-satan/ |title=The White Stripes: Get Behind Me Satan |work=Pitchfork |date=June 5, 2005 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Murphy |first=Matthew}}

"Take, Take, Take" is about a fan who meets Rita Hayworth at a bar and keeps asking things from her. The song has been interpreted as the band’s feelings towards celebrity life,{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/jack_whites_oddball_masterpiece_the_white_stripes_last_real_hurrah/|title=Jack White's Oddball Masterpiece: The White Stripes' Last Real Hurrah|last=Benson|first=Ian|magazine=Alternative Press|date=June 30, 2015|access-date=September 23, 2020}} although Jack stated in an interview with Mojo that the song is about "parents not teaching their kids manners." Jack had written as many as 9 or 10 verses, but had to cut some of them as the song would have been too long.

The closing track, "I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)", was written shortly before the sessions, after Jack called Loretta Lynn, in which Lynn made a joke about Meg saying that "I’m lonely, but I ain’t that lonely yet." Lynn told Jack that he could use the line for a song. The first take of "I'm Lonely" was recorded with mandolin, piano, Jack on vocals, and Meg on drums. A second take with only Jack singing and playing piano was chosen for the album.

"Ain't No Sweeter Than Rita Blues", an instrumental track, was released on a 7" single alongside Under Amazonian Lights through a Third Man Records Vault subscription in 2015.{{cite web |title=Introducing... VAULT PACKAGE #23 |url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/introducing-vault-package-23 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Third Man Records}}

"City Lights" is a folk song that was written for the album,{{cite web |last1=Nicolson |first1=Barry |title=Jack White – ‘Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016’ Review |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-jack-white-16564-303771 |website=NME |access-date=April 21, 2025 |date=September 7, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=Jack White Previews Acoustic Comp with Folky Unreleased Song ‘city Lights’ |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jack-white-previews-acoustic-comp-with-folky-unreleased-song-city-lights-251910/ |website=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 21, 2025 |date=August 11, 2016}} with two takes having been recorded. The track was forgotten about until the master tapes for the album were revisited for the 2015 vinyl reissue of the album. The track was completed with Dominic Davis playing upright bass for the track and released on Jack's acoustic compilation, Acoustic Recordings 1998–2016 on September 9, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-jack-white-acoustic-recordings-1998-2016-w438541|title=Review: Jack White's 'Acoustic Recordings' Is a Genreless Foot Stomper|work=Rolling Stone |date=8 September 2016|accessdate=28 September 2016 }}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Acoustic Recordings 1998–2016 |type=Liner notes, CD booklet |others=Jack White |id= 88985365442 |year=2016}} In 2025, an alternate studio take and home demo was released on Get Behind Me Satan XX.

"Over and Over and Over" was initially demoed using a fuzz pedal on an electric bass. Two takes of the song were recorded for the album, but it ultimately went unreleased. Jack later attempted the song on Icky Thump and with his other side projects. The song was eventually re-recorded in 2017 and released as the third single for Jack's third solo album, Boarding House Reach on March 1, 2018.{{Cite magazine |last=Doyle |first=Patrick |date=January 26, 2018 |title=Jack White on Genre-Blending New LP, Lost White Stripes Song, Touring |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/jack-white-new-lp-lost-white-stripes-song-touring-w515897 |access-date=January 27, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} A home demo and a studio outtake of the song was released on Get Behind Me Satan XX.

The tracklist and release date of the album was announced on April 12, 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499975/20050412/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427164859/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499975/20050412/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2005 |title=White Stripes Dancing with the Devil? We'll Find Out June 7 |last=Perez |first=Rodrigo |publisher=MTV |date=April 12, 2005 |access-date=April 21, 2025}}{{cite web |date=April 12, 2005 |title=White Stripes Album Details |url=http://www.nme.com/news/112017.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050420001951/http://www.nme.com/news/112017.htm |archive-date=April 20, 2005 |access-date=April 15, 2025 |publisher=NME}} On the following day, a listening event was held exclusively for music journalists at Splashlight Studios in New York City.{{cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |date=April 13, 2005 |title=White Stripes Album Preview: Confounding Satan Both Loud And Subtle |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1500124/04132005/white_stripes.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418003340/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1500124/04132005/white_stripes.jhtml |archive-date=April 18, 2005 |access-date=April 15, 2005 |publisher=MTV}}{{cite web |date=April 13, 2005 |title=A Preview of the White Stripes' "Get Behind Me Satan" |url=http://www.themodernage.org/2005/04/preview-of-white-stripes-get-behind-me.html |website=themodernage.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050415025950/http://www.themodernage.org/2005/04/preview-of-white-stripes-get-behind-me.html |archive-date=April 15, 2005 |access-date=April 15, 2025}} Exclusive vinyl copies of Get Behind Me Satan made exclusively for music journalists to review, and 600 records were released collectively by XL Recordings and V2 Records simultaneously; these have become rare and coveted collector's items.{{cite web |title=The White Stripes / Get Behind Me Satan Promo Vinyl |url=http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-177064.html |access-date=September 24, 2011 |publisher=stevehoffman.tv |at=crimpies 03-10-2009, 11:07 PM}} The White Stripes then intended to re-record the album in January 2006 at Joe Gubay's Studio in New Zealand for a commercial vinyl release, but the studio no longer had the recording equipment to make it possible.{{cite web |last1=DeVito |first1=Lee |title=The White Stripes' 'Get Behind Me Satan' finally gets vinyl release |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/music/the-white-stripes-get-behind-me-satan-finally-gets-vinyl-release-2304256 |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Detroit Metro Times}} As a result, Get Behind Me Satan was the only album by the White Stripes not to be commercially released on vinyl for ten years.

For Record Store Day 2015, Third Man Records released a limited vinyl edition with a lenticular gatefold sleeve, pressed on red and white vinyl; a commercially released version with standard artwork pressed on standard black vinyl was released later that year.{{cite web |url=http://thirdmanrecords.com/news/third-man-records-presents-first-commercial-vinyl-release-of-pivotal-white-stripes-album-for-record-store-day-2015/ |title=THIRD MAN RECORDS PRESENTS FIRST COMMERCIAL VINYL RELEASE OF PIVOTAL WHITE STRIPES ALBUM FOR RECORD STORE DAY 2015 |publisher=thirdmanrecords.com |access-date=March 3, 2015}} Ahead of the album's 20th anniversary, the White Stripes announced a deluxe reissue of Get Behind Me Satan with alternative takes, demos, and live recordings of its tracks.{{Cite web |last=Jenke |first=Tyler |date=2025-01-10 |title=The White Stripes Detail 20th Anniversary ‘Get Behind Me Satan’ Companion Release |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-white-stripes-20th-anniversary-get-behind-me-satan-companion-release-1235873616/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 81/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/get-behind-me-satan/the-white-stripes |title=Reviews for Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=November 29, 2015}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/get-behind-me-satan-mw0000205003 |title=Get Behind Me Satan – The White Stripes |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Phares |first=Heather}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2Score = C+{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2005/06/06/get-behind-me-satan |title=Get Behind Me Satan |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issue=824 |issn=1049-0434 |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Browne |first=David |author-link=David Browne (journalist) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225241/https://ew.com/article/2005/06/06/get-behind-me-satan/ |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |url-status=dead}}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/03/thewhitestripes.popandrock |title=The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |oclc=60623878 |date=June 3, 2005 |access-date=November 29, 2015 |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis}}

| rev4 = Los Angeles Times

| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|4}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-05-ca-whitereview5-story.html |title=Their fifth album proves they've earned their stripes |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 5, 2005 |access-date=November 29, 2015 |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Hilburn}}

| rev5 = NME

| rev5Score = 8/10

| rev6 = Pitchfork

| rev6Score = 7.3/10

| rev7 = Q

| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |title=The White Stripes: Get Behind Me Satan |journal=Q |issue=228 |issn=0955-4955 |date=July 2005 |page=108}}

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/get-behind-me-satan-20050616 |title=Get Behind Me Satan |magazine=Rolling Stone |issn=0035-791X |date=June 16, 2005 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield}}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9Score = B{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PDP4_76gznoC&pg=PA101 |title=The White Stripes: Get Behind Me Satan |journal=Spin |volume=21 |issue=6 |issn=0886-3032 |date=June 2005 |access-date=November 29, 2015 |last=Klosterman |first=Chuck |author-link=Chuck Klosterman |page=101}}

| rev10 = The Village Voice

| rev10Score = A−{{cite news |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/laptop-for-desktoppers-6402910 |title=Laptop for Desktoppers |newspaper=The Village Voice |date=July 12, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044204/https://www.villagevoice.com/music/laptop-for-desktoppers-6402910 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau}}

| rev11 = Blender

| rev11Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/get-behind-me-satan/the-white-stripes/critic-reviews |title=Critic Reviews for Get Behind Me Satan - Metacritic |website=Metacritic |access-date=July 20, 2021}}

}}

Get Behind Me Satan entered the U.S. and UK charts at No. 3, ranking higher in the U.S. charts than their previous records, but lower in the UK charts than Elephant. It sold over 900,000 copies in the United States.{{cite web |last=Center |first=Marc |date=June 13, 2009 |title=Weather Report |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-06-13.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022233859/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-06-13.pdf |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |publisher=Billboard |page=22 |via=American Radio History |volume=42 |issue=27}} "Blue Orchid", the first single, became a radio hit in the United States and the band's second UK Top 10 hit. "My Doorbell" was the second single from the album, followed by "The Denial Twist". Both also reached the Top 10 in the UK and charted on the Modern Rock Charts as well.

On February 8, 2006, the album won the Best Alternative Album award at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite web |title=Grammys 2006: The winners list |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/02/08/grammys-2006-winners-list/ |website=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=May 20, 2025 |date=February 8, 2006}} Rolling Stone ranked it the third best album of the year.{{cite web |title=Top 50 Records of 2005 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/special/8952414/the_top_50_records_of_2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214082938/http://www.rollingstone.com/special/8952414/the_top_50_records_of_2005 |archive-date=December 14, 2006 |publisher=Rollingstone.com}} In 2006, the album was included in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, edited by Robert Dimery,{{cite book|author1=Robert Dimery|author2=Michael Lydon|title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition|date=February 7, 2006|publisher=Universe|isbn=0-7893-1371-5}} but was removed in the 2007 edition. It was voted the sixth best album of the year in the 2006 Village Voice Pazz and Jop critic poll, with the song "My Doorbell" being voted as the year's ninth best single.{{cite web |title=The Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop Critics’ Poll: Top 10 Albums By Year, 1971-2013 |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/the-village-voices-pazz-jop-critics-poll-top-10-albums-by-year-1971-2013/ |website=The Village Voice |date=January 15, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2025}}{{cite web |title=The Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop Critics’ Poll: Top 10 Singles By Year, 1979-2013 |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/the-village-voices-pazz-jop-critics-poll-top-10-singles-by-year-1979-2013/ |website=The Village Voice |date=January 15, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2025}}

The album cover was used in the Gilmore Girls episode "I Get a Sidekick Out of You", with Lane and Zach in Meg and Jack's positions, respectively.{{cite web |last1=Gibbs |first1=Lynn |title=Gilmore Girls: The 10 Best Moments From Lane & Zack's Wedding |url=https://screenrant.com/gilmore-girls-lane-zack-wedding-episode-most-memorable-scenes/ |website=Screen Rant |date=June 1, 2021 |access-date=April 4, 2025}} It was also used for the 2008 Ozy and Millie calendar as both the front cover and for the month of January with the characters Ozy and Mille replacing Jack and Meg.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} "Instinct Blues" was featured in Michel Gondry's 2006 film The Science of Sleep.{{cite web |title=It’s Getting A Bit Creepy |url=https://www.thefader.com/2006/03/14/its-getting-a-bit-creepy |website=The Fader |date=March 14, 2006 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}

All lyrics are written by Jack White; all music composed by Jack and Meg White. On its 2015 vinyl release, the album features alternate track sequencing.{{Cite web|url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/news/third-man-records-presents-first-commercial-vinyl-release-of-pivotal-white-stripes-album-for-record-store-day-2015|title=Third Man Records Presents First Commercial Vinyl Release of Pivotal White Stripes Album for Record Store Day 2015|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108094034/https://thirdmanrecords.com/news/third-man-records-presents-first-commercial-vinyl-release-of-pivotal-white-stripes-album-for-record-store-day-2015|url-status=dead}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Standard edition

| title1 = Blue Orchid

| length1 = 2:37

| title2 = The Nurse

| length2 = 3:47

| title3 = My Doorbell

| length3 = 4:01

| title4 = Forever for Her (Is Over for Me)

| length4 = 3:15

| title5 = Little Ghost

| length5 = 2:18

| title6 = The Denial Twist

| length6 = 2:35

| title7 = White Moon

| length7 = 4:01

| title8 = Instinct Blues

| length8 = 4:16

| title9 = Passive Manipulation

| length9 = 0:35

| title10 = Take, Take, Take

| length10 = 4:22

| title11 = As Ugly as I Seem

| length11 = 4:10

| title12 = Red Rain

| length12 = 3:52

| title13 = I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)

| length13 = 4:19

| total_length = 44:07

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Japanese edition bonus tracks

| title14 = Who's a Big Baby?

| length14 = 3:21

| title15 = Though I Hear You Calling, I Will Not Answer

| length15 = 3:25

| total_length = 50:53

}}

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Get Behind Me Satan |type=Liner notes, CD booklet |others=The White Stripes |id=63881-27256-2 |year=2005}}

The White Stripes

• Jack White – guitar, vocals, piano, bass, mandolin, marimba, tambourine, songwriting, production, mixing
• Meg White – drums, vocals, percussion, bells, triangle, bongos

Additional personnel

• Eddie Gillis – tambourine and shakers (track 5)
• Howie Weinberg – mastering
• Roger Lian – sequencing
• John Hampton – mixing
• Adam Hill – assistant mixing
• Matthew Kettle – engineering

Artwork

• Arthole – layout
• "The Third Man" – design
• Ewen Spencer – photography
• Nick Pavey – photo assistant

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=The White Stripes|title=Get Behind Me Satan|award=Platinum|certyear=2006|relyear=2005|access-date=April 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Belgium|artist=The White Stripes|title=Get Behind Me Satan|award=Gold|certyear=2007|certmonth=3|relyear=2005|access-date=April 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=The White Stripes|title=Get Behind Me Satan|award=Platinum|certyear=2005|relyear=2005|access-date=April 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=New Zealand|artist=The White Stripes|title=Get Behind Me Satan|award=Platinum|id=2006-02-24|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relyear=2005}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|nocert=true|salesamount=20,000|salesref={{cite web|url=https://muzyka.interia.pl/wiadomosci/news-sprzedaz-plyt-w-2005-r-rok-zaby,nId,1627424|title=SPRZEDAŻ PŁYT W 2005 R.: ROK ŻABY|date=January 25, 2006|access-date=March 24, 2021|language=pl|publisher=Interia|author=Wiadomości|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324055526/https://muzyka.interia.pl/wiadomosci/news-sprzedaz-plyt-w-2005-r-rok-zaby,nId,1627424|archivedate=March 24, 2021|url-status=live}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=The White Stripes|title=Get Behind Me Satan|award=Platinum|certyear=2005|relyear=2005|id=2481-1985-2|access-date=April 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=The White Stripes|title=Get Behind Me Satan|award=Gold|salesamount=920,000|relyear=2005|certyear=2023|salesref={{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-06-13.pdf|title=Weather Report|publisher=Billboard|page=22|volume=42|issue=27|date=June 13, 2009|via=American Radio History|first=Marc|last=Center|access-date=May 22, 2022|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022233859/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-06-13.pdf|url-status=live}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{The White Stripes}}

{{Jack White}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2000s concept albums

Category:2005 albums

Category:Albums produced by Jack White

Category:Albums recorded in a home studio

Category:Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album

Category:V2 Records albums

Category:The White Stripes albums

Category:XL Recordings albums