You Don’t Know What Love is Chords: The White Stripes Lesson

One of my Subscribers from YourGuitarGuide YouTube Channel requested this song. He wanted to learn how to play it. I had never heard of this song. But I’m glad I dove into it. And now I can bring to you “You Don’t Know What Love is Chords: The White Stripes Lesson”.

In this The White Stripes guitar lesson you will learn:

  1. You Don’t Know What Love is Chords
  2. The Lead Licks
  3. Rhythm section
  4. Chord Progression
  5. Bonus Video
  6. * Bonus Tab

If this is something you think would be interesting and fun to learn. Then grab your guitar and lets get to it.

The White Stripes You Don’t Know What Love is Chords

Okay if you do not know how to read a chord diagram that’s okay look at this quick helpful reference; How to read a chord Chart.

I’m going to go over the three chords that are in the song. And tell you how to position your fingers for each chord. You will notice that there are 2 A Major chords. Let me explain.

In the video of The White Stripes You Don’t Know What Love is, He plays the A bar chord. But for beginner guitar players a bar chord is really difficult so I willp show you how to get around this obstacle.

Hey if your enjoying this lesson, you might also like the YourGuitarGuide YouTube Channel. After seeing what’s on the channel consider Subscribing.

But first here is here is how to make the A Major chord.

Place all three fingers at the second fret.

  • Your first finger is on the fourth string, at the second fret.
  • Second finger is on the third string, at the second fret.
  • And your third finger is on the second string at the second fret.
  • When strumming the A chord strum from the A string down. Which is the fifth string. Don’t play the sixth string.

Next chord is the E chord.

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Take a look at how to place your fingers to play the E chord in the first position.

  • Place your first finger on the third string, at the first fret. This is the G string.
  • Next your second finger is on the fifth string, at the second fret. Which is the A string.
  • Your third finger is placed on the second fret, fourth string. The D string.
  • When strumming the E string you can strum all the strings.

Guitar Fingerboard Breakthrough

The D Chord finger position is listed below.

  • Put your first finger on the third string at the second fret. The G string.
  • Second finger is on the first string, at the second fret. This is the high e string.
  • Then your third finger is on the second string, at the third fret. Which is the B string.
  • When playing the D chord you strum from the fourth string down.

A Major Bar Chord Finger Placement

  • First place your index finger across all the strings at the 5th fret.
  • Then your second finger is at the sixth on the third string.
  • Your third finger is at the seventh fret on the fifth string.
  • And your pinkie is at the seventh fret of the fourth string. Right under your third finger.
  • When playing this A bar chord you can strum all the strings.

There are some tips that make playing bar chords easier in this guitar lesson 5 ways to play the F bar chord. Which has the same finger as the A bar chord. So check it out.


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Chord Progression for You Don’t Know What Love is

This chord progression is fun to play. In the intro you hear A, E, D, A. This progression goes on for about 4 times. The beat is two beats per chord. Over the top of that progression is the lead riffs. Which I am going to cover with you in a minute.

The intro is the verse of the song. The A E D A is the chord progression for the verse.

After the lead riffs the chord progression is A E D A, then A E D E, after that is A D E A A. This is where the A major chord comes in. You play this progression for the Chorus

You can play the A major bar chord and it gives it a different voicing. But if this is two difficult to make the move up the neck to play. Then just play the A chord in the first position two times.

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When you do this you want to relax the strings after strumming the A chord. Then strum it again. For a more clear example of this check out the video tutorial from Sharon YourGuitarGuide.

Related Article: 11 Tips for Learning the Guitar Notes – Guitar Lesson.


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Rhythm Section The White Stripes

Then there is a distinct Rhythm section in the song. You can hear the drums cadence. This section the chord progression is: E, A. E, D, A. This goes back and fourth between the chords 4 times. Then you play E, E, D, A. Which is really fast. Then one more set of the E A. And then you go back to the verse.

When playing this section of the song. What I call the Rhythm section because it changes from two beats to three. So you are playing in Da Da Da, Da Da Da, Da Da. If that makes sense.

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Is going to open your eyes to a new way of playing your guitar. Although the theory has been around for years. You will never look at your guitar the same way again! See What’s Included


Hope your enjoying this lesson! Maybe you would also be interested in this too. Beginners guide to pedals & board setup all inclusive.

The Lead Licks to The White Stripes Song You Don’t Know What Love is You Just Do As You’re Told 

On top of that Rhythm for the verse is some riffs. I will name the frets where to place your finger to play the individual notes.

It starts off at the 6th fret on the G string, which is the 3rd string. You want to pick it two times. To make it sound good raise your finger off the string. Not completely off the string. Just release the tension and back on for the second pick. Then pick the 4th fret of the G string.

Next place your second finger at the 5th fret of the G string. Pick the G string and hammer on to the 6th fret of the G string. With your third finger. Then place your second finger on the second string at the 5th fret. And Pick the 5th fret of the B string.

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With your pinkie on the 8th fret of the B string, pick it two times. And then place your third finger on the 7th fret of the B string. Pick the B string one time. Then place your second finger on the G string again at the 5th fret.

And pick the 5th fret of the G string. Again hammer on to the 6th fret of G string with your third finger. Then cover the B string at the 5th fret. Pick the 5th fret of the B string. The second string. Then pick the 6th fret of the G string again. Then back to the 4th fret on the G string. And end on the D string at the seventh fret. With your pinkie.


Solo Pieces of The White Stripes Song You Don’t Know What Love is

Then it repeats the first part of that riff. What you want to do is place your second finger at the 5th fret and pick the 5th fret of the G string. Use your third finger and hammer on to the 6th fret of G string.

Then use your second finger. Place it on the 5th fret of the B string. Pick the 5th fret of the B string. The second string. Then pick the 6th fret of the G string again, and then back to the 4th fret on the G string. And end on the D string at the seventh fret.

After that you go back to the 5th fret of the D string. Hammer on the 6th fret of the D string. And then the 6th fret of the G string. To get that note you need to flatten your finger. And then you are going to play the 5th fret on the B string.

Then you play the B string at the 8th fret again with your pinkie on the 8th fret of the B string. You pick it two times. And then move up a fret. To the 7th fret of the B string. Use your third finger and play the B string.

Then pick the 5th fret of the G string, and hammer on to the 6th of the third string with your third finger.

Still using your second finger Pick the 5th fret of the B string. The second string. And pick the 6th fret of the G string again. After placing your third finger at the 6th fret. Next go back to the 4th fret on the G string, and place your first finger there. Play that note. End on the D string at the seventh fret with your pinkie.

Then it does that little riff again. That we first started with. There is a pause in the song and then that little riff is repeated fast two times.

Another Riff that is an Octave higher in the Song

There is a little riff in there that is played starting on the G string at the 7th fret. Place your finger there and Pick it two times. Then place your finger at the 6th fret of the G string. Pick the G string. After that you cover the 4th fret of the G string, and play the G string.

Next go back to the 6th fret on G string. Pick that and end on the 7th fret of the D string. And pick the D string. That’s right after he sings “until I realized that you realized i’m going to say these things to you”.

There is the same riff a little later in the song. But it is played an octave higher at the 15th fret. If you need help learning about octaves take a look at Octaves a great way to find your way around the fretboard.


The White Stripes You Don’t Know What Love is Guitar Tabs

This song has a lot of individual notes that are played throughout. So to make it easier to learn. I made this PDF. It has the Chords and the Tab for You. Don’t Know What Love Is. Be sure to get the Tab, when you signup to become a patron. It will make learning this song easier for you.


Related Questions

You Don’t Know What Love is Lyrics White Stripes

In some respects I suspect you've got a respectable side
When pushed and pulled and pressured,you still don't want to hide
But it's for someone else's benefit, not for what you want to do
Until I realize that you've realized, I'm going to say these words to you

Yeah, you don't know what love is, you do as your told
Just as a child of 10 might act, but your far to old
Your not hopeless or helpless, and I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is, you do as your told 

I can see a man can't help but win any problems that may arise
But in his mind there can be no sin if you never criticize
You just keep repeating all those empty I love you's
Until you see that you deserve better, I'm going to lay right into you

Yeah, you don't know what love is, you do as your told
Just as a child of 10 might act, but your far to old
Your not hopeless or helpless, and I hate to sound cold 
But you don't know what love is 
No you don't know what love is 
No you don't know what love is  
No you don't know what love is, you just do as your told

Yeah, do as your told

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You Don’t Know What Love is Lead Sheet

This song has a lot of individual licks. But not to worry I made a PDF for the chords and the notes. Be sure to print out the lead sheet.

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