Black Math
By: Jack White

Original Performance: The White Stripes
Written by: Jack White

Live Versions:
  1. Black Math
 
Lyrics:
Black Math [Live version (a)]:

[from White Stripes' original]

Don't you think that I'm bound to react now?
My fingers definitely turning to black now
Maybe I'll put my love on ice
And teach myself, maybe that'll be nice

My books are sitting at the top of the stack now
The longer words are really breaking my back now
Maybe I'll learn to understand
Drawing a square with a pencil in hand

Mathematically turning the page
Unequivocally showing my age
I'm practically center stage
Undeniably earning your wage
Maybe I'll put my love on ice
And teach myself, maybe that'll be nice

Listen master, can I ask you a question?
Is it the fingers, or the brain
That you're teaching the lesson?
Maybe I'll put my love on ice
And teach myself, maybe that'll be nice
 
The Song:

"Black Math" is a song by the White Stripes, from their 2003 album, Elephant. Not sure what motivated Beck to cover this song, besides him being a fan and friend of the White Stripes. The song has a punky rock riff that I'm sure Beck and his band did justice too.

(Bootlegs from the shows with this song have yet to really surface; if you have one, please share!)

(Once, one of the shows did appear on eBay, so I believe it is out there.)
 
Live:

Played live 2 times:
Earliest known live version: August 7, 2003
Latest known live version: August 21, 2003

Beck has played this song twice, so far, both times during his Europe summer tour in 2003.
 
Notes: