View source for Elephant (album)

{{Short description|2003 studio album by the White Stripes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Elephant
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[the White Stripes]]
| cover        = Elephant, The White Stripes Original.jpg
| alt          = 
| caption      = 
| released     = {{Start date|2003|4|1}}
| recorded     = April–May 2002{{efn|name=recording}}
| studio       = {{hlist|[[Toe Rag Studios|Toe Rag]]|[[Maida Vale Studios|Maida Vale]] (London)}}
| genre        = {{flatlist|
* [[Alternative rock]]
* [[blues rock]]
* [[garage rock]]
* [[indie rock]]
* [[punk blues]]
}}
| length       = {{Duration|m=49|s=56}}
| label        = {{flatlist|
* [[V2 Records|V2]]
* [[XL Recordings|XL]]
* [[Third Man Records|Third Man]]
}}
| producer     = [[Jack White]]
| prev_title   = [[White Blood Cells]]
| prev_year    = 2001
| next_title   = [[Get Behind Me Satan]]
| next_year    = 2005
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Elephant
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Seven Nation Army]]
 | single1date = February 17, 2003
 | single2     = [[I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself#The White Stripes version|I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself]]
 | single2date = September 1, 2003
 | single3     = [[The Hardest Button to Button]]
 | single3date = November 17, 2003{{efn|First released to US alternative radio on August 11, 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1516|page=26|date=August 8, 2003}}</ref>}}
 | single4     = [[There's No Home for You Here]]
 | single4date = March 15, 2004
}}
}}
'''''Elephant''''' is the fourth studio album by American rock duo [[the White Stripes]]. It was released on April 1, 2003 in the United States by [[V2 Records]] and in the United Kingdom by [[XL Recordings]]. Produced by vocalist and guitarist [[Jack White]], it continues the "back-to-basics" approach from the band's previous album ''[[White Blood Cells]]'' (2001), foregoing computers and utilizing gear no more recent than 1963. It was mostly recorded across two weeks at [[Toe Rag Studios]] in April and May 2002,{{Efn|Although most of ''Elephant'' was recorded in April and May 2002, three of the album's tracks were recorded in November 2001.|name=recording}} and features lyrics about the "death of the sweetheart" in American popular culture.  

''Elephant'' reached the top ten of multiple territories, peaking at number six on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and topping the [[UK Albums Chart]], and achieved [[Music recording certification|multiple platinum status]] in several countries. The album produced the hit singles "[[Seven Nation Army]]", "[[I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself#The White Stripes version|I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself]]" and "[[The Hardest Button to Button]]", the first of which boosted its sales. Considered to be the band's [[Masterpiece|magnum opus]], ''Elephant'' received widespread critical acclaim and several accolades, including a nomination for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] and winning [[Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album|Best Alternative Music Album]] at the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|2004 Grammy Awards]]. 

''Elephant'' is widely recognized as an influential and seminal work of the 2000s [[garage rock revival]], solidifying Jack and [[Meg White]]'s leading positions in the movement, and has been named by several publications as one of the greatest albums of all time. The album has sold over four million units worldwide, making it the band's best-selling album. 

==Recording and production==
[[The White Stripes]] recorded ''Elephant'' over ten days in April through May 2002 at [[Toe Rag Studios]] in London, with the exception of "It's True That We Love One Another", "Hypnotize" and "[[I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself]]" being recorded in November 2001, with the latter taking place at [[BBC]]'s [[Maida Vale Studios]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2018 |title=Homerton's Toe Rag Studios where The White Stripes recorded Elephant turns 20 |url=https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/21158671.homertons-toe-rag-studios-white-stripes-recorded-elephant-turns-20/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Ham & High |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050158/https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/21158671.homertons-toe-rag-studios-white-stripes-recorded-elephant-turns-20/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2003 |title=White Stripes sticking to the basics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/14/mroom.white.stripes/index.html |access-date=November 11, 2025 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref> On certain releases, "Hypnotize" was mistakenly marked as recorded in April,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp70Al3OT-u/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D |title={{!}}user=The White Stripes {{!}}postid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D {{!}}date=18 March 2023 |access-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619051303/https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp70Al3OT-u/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D |url-status=live }}</ref> which was corrected on the 20th anniversary release.<ref name=":2" /> 

Guitarist and vocalist [[Jack White]] produced the album with antiquated equipment, including an [[8-track cartridge|8-track]] [[Tape recorder|tape machine]] and pre-1960s recording gear.<ref name="Fridge">Fridge, David (April 17, 2003), [http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=9491694&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live "Living Color"]. ''Rolling Stone''. (920): 102</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2021 |title=Engineering the Sound: The White Stripes' 'Elephant' |url=https://happymag.tv/engineering-the-sound-the-white-stripes-elephant/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=happymag.tv |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050157/https://happymag.tv/engineering-the-sound-the-white-stripes-elephant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Computers were not used during ''Elephant''{{'s}} writing, recording, or production, and the equipment utilized was no more recent than 1963.<ref name="katchen">Katchen, Andrew (March 29, 2003), "White Stripes Stay Pure on 'Elephant'". ''Billboard''. '''115'''(13):9</ref><ref name="mojo">Various artists (November 1, 2007),  "The White Stripes Elephant". ''The Mojo Collection—The Ultimate Music Companion'' (4th Edition). Canongate Books.</ref><ref name="SWEET">Cameron, Keith (March 28, 2003), [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/mar/29/artsfeatures.popandrock "The sweetheart deal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204200224/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/mar/29/artsfeatures.popandrock |date=December 4, 2013 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved December 12, 2014.</ref> The band often exhausted the limits of the 8-track recorder, particularly on "[[There's No Home for You Here]]", for which Jack said "I think how far we went is too far."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Emily |date=2014-05-08 |title=Jack White: 50 Geeky Facts You Never Knew |url=https://www.nme.com/photos/jack-white-50-geeky-facts-you-never-knew-1416934 |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406185621/https://www.nme.com/photos/jack-white-50-geeky-facts-you-never-knew-1416934 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

==Music and lyrics==
[[File:DigiTech Whammy DT - I got a new guitar pedal (2013-03-27 20.20.40 by Mike Prosser).jpg|thumb|''Elephant'' uses a [[DigiTech Whammy]] to create a bass-like sound.]]
''Elephant'' is a [[garage rock]],<ref>{{Cite web |author=Whitman, Andy |display-authors=etal |date=January 29, 2018 |title=The 50 Best Garage Rock Albums of All Time seven nation army |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/01/the-50-best-garage-rock-albums-of-all-time.html?p=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217202741/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/01/the-50-best-garage-rock-albums-of-all-time.html?p=2 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2018 |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]}}</ref> [[blues rock]],<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web |last=Phares |first=Heather |title=''Elephant'' – The White Stripes |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/elephant-mw0000022228 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705144213/http://www.allmusic.com/album/elephant-mw0000022228 |archive-date=July 5, 2014 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> and [[punk blues]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Empire |first=Kitty |author-link=Kitty Empire |date=March 15, 2003 |title=They rock - like a beast |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/mar/16/features.review117 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518003732/https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/mar/16/features.review117 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |access-date=March 24, 2018 |website=[[The Observer]] (via [[The Guardian]])}}</ref> record that advances the "back to basics" approach from the White Stripes's previous album, ''[[White Blood Cells]]'' (2001).<ref name="Pareles">{{cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |date=April 6, 2003 |title=White Stripe: Same Old Colors |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/06/arts/music-white-stripes-same-old-colors.html/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205082409/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/06/arts/music-white-stripes-same-old-colors.html |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The band expanded their style with a bass line alongside lead and rhythm guitar, in addition to greater use of keyboards and pianos.<ref name="Pareles" /> Jack infamously used a [[DigiTech Whammy]] pedal to mimic the sound of a [[bass guitar]] for several of ''Elephant''<nowiki/>'s tracks. He did so in "[[Seven Nation Army]]" and "[[The Hardest Button to Button]]" by connecting a semi-acoustic guitar to the pedal and lowering the pitch by an [[octave]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Daniel |date=2013-05-13 |title=20 Things You Might Not Know About 'Seven Nation Army' |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-seven-nation-army-769531 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330200537/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-seven-nation-army-769531 |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2003-03-07 |title=White Stripes : Elephant |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/the-white-stripes/7000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219144145/http://www.nme.com/reviews/the-white-stripes/7000 |archive-date=February 19, 2011 |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="ukcd">{{cite AV media notes |title=The Hardest Button to Button |others=[[The White Stripes]] |year=2003 |type=UK & Australasian CD single liner notes |publisher=[[XL Recordings]], [[Third Man Records]], [[Remote Control Records]] (Australia) |id=XLS 173CD}}</ref>

Jack wrote most of the lyrics on ''Elephant'', and its music was composed by the band. Its main themes revolve around the idea of the "death of the sweetheart" in both American culture and [[popular culture]].<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Juxtapoz Magazine - Sound and Vision: The White Stripes "Elephant" |url=https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/music/sound-and-vision-the-white-stripes-elephant/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=www.juxtapoz.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Jack observed that "You look at your average teenager with the body piercings and the tattoos. You have white kids going around talking in ghetto accents because they think that makes them hard. It's so cool to be hard. We're against that." Other themes on the record include love, demonstrated by tracks such as "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" and "[[In the Cold, Cold Night]]",<ref name=":133">{{Cite web |last=Schlanger |first=Talia |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Meg White Is The 21st Century's Loudest Introvert |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/09/21/646423702/meg-white-is-the-21st-centurys-loudest-introvert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050157/https://www.npr.org/2018/09/21/646423702/meg-white-is-the-21st-centurys-loudest-introvert |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=NPR}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite book |last=TRUE |first=Everett |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9crT8OtZRBMC&q=You%27ve+got+her+in+your+pocket+meg%27s+favorite+blues&pg=PT275 |title=The White Stripes And The Sound Of Mutant Blues |date=2010-03-04 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=978-0-85712-211-7 |language=en}}</ref> and perseverance, demonstrated by "Little Acorns".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-13 |title=Longtime Detroit TV anchor Mort Crim explains how he wound up 'helping a beat up old city finding its way back' |url=https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/anchor-mort-crim-explains-how-he-wound-up-coming-to-detroit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522183727/https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/anchor-mort-crim-explains-how-he-wound-up-coming-to-detroit |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=www.audacy.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamph |first=Samantha |date=2019-01-09 |title=Sam Recommends: "Little Acorns" by The White Stripes |url=https://medium.com/memoir-mixtapes/sam-recommends-little-acorns-by-the-white-stripes-584a63c46987 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522183729/https://medium.com/memoir-mixtapes/sam-recommends-little-acorns-by-the-white-stripes-584a63c46987 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Memoir Mixtapes |language=en}}</ref> The tracks "You've Got Her in Your Pocket" and "Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine" were written in the band's earlier years, and rerecorded for the album.<ref name=":17" /> With ''Elephant'', Meg hoped to show that "it's O.K. not to care about anything. Everything can be judged, everything can be trashed."<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindgren |first=Hugo |date=March 9, 2003 |title=The Way We Live Now: Questions for the White Stripes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/magazine/the-way-we-live-now-3-9-03-questions-for-the-white-stripes-rock-n-rules.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911161943/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/magazine/the-way-we-live-now-3-9-03-questions-for-the-white-stripes-rock-n-rules.html |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> 

''Elephant'' marks some firsts for the band. The album features White Stripes drummer [[Meg White]] performing leading vocals for the first time ("In the Cold, Cold Night"), having only performed [[Backing vocalist|background vocals]] for [[De Stijl (album)|''De Stijl'']] and ''[[White Blood Cells]]'' previously.<ref name=":133" /> Prior to its recording, she built her confidence by singing solo live.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2003-03-24 |title=White Stripes Stay Pure On 'Elephant' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/white-stripes-stay-pure-on-elephant-71861/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403233533/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/white-stripes-stay-pure-on-elephant-71861/ |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-03 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> It also features [[Mort Crim]] as the speaking voice on "Little Acorns" and [[Holly Golightly (singer)|Holly Golightly]] as a guest vocalist in "It's True That We Love One Another";<ref name="linernote">{{cite AV media notes |title=Elephant UHQR |last=Blackwell |first=Ben |year=2023 |type=booklet |publisher=Third Man Records}}</ref> it is the only [[The White Stripes discography#Albums|album of their discography]] to feature singers other than Jack and Meg.

==Artwork==
[[File:Elephant, The White Stripes.png|thumb|Reissues of ''Elephant'' often change the color of Meg's dress or Jack's outfit.|left]]
Similar to the band's [[The White Stripes discography|other albums]], ''Elephant''<nowiki/>'s cover art and liner notes are exclusively in red, white, and black.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |author1=Stephen Hill |date=2023-04-01 |title=Trunk Rock: The White Stripes, Elephant, and the seven note riff that shook the world |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-white-stripes-elephant-at-20-seven-nation-army-riff |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=louder |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050157/https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-white-stripes-elephant-at-20-seven-nation-army-riff |url-status=live }}</ref> On the reverse side of the US edition, all of the number "3"s are in red (disregarding the authorization notes at the bottom).<ref name=":8" /> The cryptic symbolism of the album art includes a skull sitting on the floor in the background, as well as peanuts and peanut shells in the foreground, and on the circus travel trunk appears the mark "III", Jack's signature.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=SB |date=2018-06-21 |title=CLASSIC ALBUM COVERS: "Elephant" by The White Stripes |url=https://norselandsrock.com/elephant-the-white-stripes/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Rocking In the Norselands |language=en-GB |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050159/https://norselandsrock.com/elephant-the-white-stripes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jack is displaying a [[mano cornuta]] and looking at a light bulb intensely, while Meg is barefoot and appears to be crying, with a rope tied around her ankle and leading out of frame. Both have small white ribbons tied to their fingers. In an interview with ''[[Q Magazine]]'' in 2007, Jack said, "If you study the picture carefully, Meg and I are elephant ears in a head-on elephant. But it's a side view of an elephant, too, with the tusks leading off either side." He went on to say, "I wanted people to be staring at this album cover and then maybe two years later, having stared at it for the 500th time, to say, 'Hey, it's an elephant!'"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juxtapoz Magazine - Sound and Vision: The White Stripes "Elephant" |url=https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/music/sound-and-vision-the-white-stripes-elephant/ |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www.juxtapoz.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312194537/https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/music/sound-and-vision-the-white-stripes-elephant/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Stafford |first=James |title=Cover Stories: The White Stripes, 'Elephant' |url=https://diffuser.fm/cover-stories-the-white-stripes-elephant/ |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=Diffuser.fm |date=October 8, 2015 |language=en |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312194542/https://diffuser.fm/cover-stories-the-white-stripes-elephant/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The album has been released with at least six different versions of the front cover—different covers for the CD and LP editions in the US, the UK and elsewhere.<ref>[http://www.whitestripes.com/lo-fi/discs.html?type=albums&release=3 The White Stripes official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231645/http://www.whitestripes.com/lo-fi/discs.html?type=albums&release=3 |date=September 26, 2007 }}, index to album artwork including covers, page 1 of 3. Page retrieved June 21, 2007.</ref> On the US CD edition, Meg is sitting on the left of a circus travel trunk and Jack is sitting on the right holding a [[cricket bat]] over the ground,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The most-famous - but unrecognised - cricket bat in pop culture |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/how-black-caps-kane-williamsons-cricket-bat-ended-up-on-white-stripes-elephant-album/X7XUCD3H6NAL7FEVFRU7S4ZQAU/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331060101/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/how-black-caps-kane-williamsons-cricket-bat-ended-up-on-white-stripes-elephant-album/X7XUCD3H6NAL7FEVFRU7S4ZQAU/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while on the UK CD edition, the cricket bat touches the ground and the image is mirrored so that their positions on the trunk are reversed. The UK vinyl album cover is the same as the US CD, but differs in that the color hues are much darker. The [[Record Store Day|Record Store Day 2013]] vinyl and August 2013 180-gram black vinyl reissues have Meg wearing a black dress instead of the usual white dress; the only other release with Meg wearing the black dress was on the V2 advanced copy back in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=2013-03-01 |title=Jack White to reissue The White Stripes' Elephant for Record Store Day |url=https://consequence.net/2013/03/jack-white-to-reissue-the-white-stripes-elephant-for-record-store-day/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050157/https://consequence.net/2013/03/jack-white-to-reissue-the-white-stripes-elephant-for-record-store-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2013-03-02 |title=The White Stripes to release special 10th anniversary reissue of 'Elephant' for Record Store Day |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-white-stripes-16-1266390 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> The advanced copy was on red and white vinyl, while the RSD copy has red, black and white colored vinyl in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Jessica Rawden |date=2013-03-03 |title=The White Stripes Releasing 10th Anniversary Elephant LP On Record Store Day |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/pop/White-Stripes-Releasing-10th-Anniversary-Elephant-LP-Record-Store-Day-53230.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=CINEMABLEND |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404050158/https://www.cinemablend.com/pop/White-Stripes-Releasing-10th-Anniversary-Elephant-LP-Record-Store-Day-53230.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A 20th anniversary limited edition has Jack wearing all white similar to the limited 2003 Australian pressing.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE WHITE STRIPES CONTINUE ELEPHANT 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WITH LIMITED EDITION 2XLP COLORED VINYL RELEASE |url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/the-white-stripes-continue-elephant-20th-anniversary-celebration-with-limited-edition-2xlp-colored-vinyl-release |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=thirdmanrecords.com |date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=Third Man Records |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619051300/https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/the-white-stripes-continue-elephant-20th-anniversary-celebration-with-limited-edition-2xlp-colored-vinyl-release |url-status=live }}</ref>

The artwork of ''Elephant'' has become iconic.<ref name=":14" /> It appeared on [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']]'s list of "The 100 Best Album Covers of All Time".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lynch |first=Joe |date=2023-08-07 |title=The 100 Best Album Covers of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/best-album-covers-of-all-time-6715351/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218161702/https://www.billboard.com/photos/best-album-covers-of-all-time-6715351/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

== Promotion and release ==
[[File:The White Stripes (cropped).jpg|thumb|The White Stripes performing in 2005]]
The track list for ''Elephant'' was announced in January 2003 to ''[[NME]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2003-01-28 |title=WHITE 'ELEPHANT'! |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-white-stripes-393-1379182 |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> and four singles were announced to promote the album.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2015 |title=White Stripes Elephant-Era Singles |url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/white-stripes-elephant-era-singles |access-date=October 3, 2025 |website=[[Third Man Records]] |language=en |archive-date=September 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907120254/https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/white-stripes-elephant-era-singles |url-status=live }}</ref> After a debate with [[XL Recordings]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Adshead |first=Adam |date=April 1, 2010 |title=Jack White: 'White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' nearly wasn't released' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-white-stripes-61-1291731 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917035510/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-white-stripes-61-1291731 |archive-date=September 17, 2025 |access-date=October 9, 2025 |work=[[NME]]}}</ref> "[[Seven Nation Army]]" was released as the lead single on February 17.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 14, 2003 |title=Going for Adds |magazine=[[Radio & Records]] |page=28 |issue=1491}}</ref> The song peaked at number 76 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], the band's first entry on the chart,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The White Stripes – Chart History: Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-white-stripes/ |access-date=October 9, 2025 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007183155/https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-white-stripes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while reaching the top 10 in the United Kingdom and entering multiple international territories.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |date= |title=White Stripes: Full Official Chart History |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/10968/white-stripes/ |access-date=October 9, 2025 |website=[[Official Charts Company]] |language=en |archive-date=August 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815133054/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/10968/white-stripes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The success of "Seven Nation Army" boosted the album's reach and sales.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Caz |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Reflecting on Elephant, the 2003 masterpiece that took The White Stripes to the next level |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/the-white-stripes-elephant-classic-album/101907082 |access-date=October 9, 2025 |website=[[Double J (radio station)|Double J]] |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |language=en-AU |archive-date=September 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915031648/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/the-white-stripes-elephant-classic-album/101907082 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March, it was given to ''[[NME]]'' for an early review.<ref name=":18" /> The White Stripes were set to tour that same month, but postponed after Meg broke her wrist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=March 10, 2003 |title=White Stripes get a break! |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-white-stripes-359-1373991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723223026/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-white-stripes-359-1373991 |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |access-date=July 23, 2025 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

''Elephant'' was officially released on April 1 by [[V2 Records]] in the United States and XL in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |title=The White Stripes - Discography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-white-stripes-mn0000921710/discography |work=AllMusic |access-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209213219/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-white-stripes-mn0000921710/discography |url-status=live }}</ref> The band began their promotional tour on June 13, and performed for six weeks across [[North America]] until July 23.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Billboard Staff |first= |date=May 20, 2003 |title=White Stripes Take 'Elephant' On Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/white-stripes-take-elephant-on-tour-70996/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref> "[[I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself#The White Stripes version|I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself]]" was released as the second single on September 1,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=August 30, 2003 |title=New Releases: Singles |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=23}}</ref> which became their first work to chart in the Netherlands and New Zealand.<ref name="NOR3">{{cite web |title=Discography The White Stripes |url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+White+Stripes |access-date=July 25, 2008 |work=norwegiancharts.com |publisher=Hung Medien |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016225718/http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+White+Stripes |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NZ3">{{cite web |title=Discography The White Stripes |url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+White+Stripes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022233902/https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+White+Stripes |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |work=charts.nz |publisher=Hung Medien}}</ref> "[[The Hardest Button to Button]]" was released as the third single on November 17,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 15, 2003 |title=New Releases: Singles |magazine=Music Week |page=29}}</ref>{{efn|First released to US alternative radio on August 11, 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1516|page=26|date=August 8, 2003}}</ref>}} which peaked in the top 10 of the US [[Alternative Airplay|Alternative Songs]] chart and drew attention for its music video.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ldetmer1271 |date=July 26, 2011 |title=The White Stripes, 'The Hardest Button to Button' (2005) |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/07/28/the-30-all-time-best-music-videos/slide/the-white-stripes-the-hardest-button-to-button-2005/ |access-date=April 3, 2023 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403233533/https://entertainment.time.com/2011/07/28/the-30-all-time-best-music-videos/slide/the-white-stripes-the-hardest-button-to-button-2005/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The fourth and final single, "[[There's No Home for You Here]]", was released on March 15, 2004 and failed to replicate the success of its predecessors.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 13, 2004 |title=New Releases: Singles |magazine=Music Week |page=27}}</ref> That same year, the band released their first [[concert film]], [[Under Blackpool Lights|''Under Blackpool Lights'']], which entered multiple charts.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Music Video – Issue Date: December 25, 2004 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/videos/3056564 |access-date=October 27, 2025 |magazine=Billboard }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

''Elephant'' has continued to be reissued by Jack's [[Third Man Records]], notably on anniversary dates. In 2013, Third Man Records released a limited edition vinyl reissue of ''Elephant'', in celebration of the album's 10-year anniversary, which were pressed at [[United Record Pressing]] in Nashville, TN.<ref>{{cite web |last=McGovern |first=Kyle |date=March 2, 2013 |title=Jack White Stomps All Other Record Store Day Exclusives With 'Elephant' Reissue |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/03/jack-white-record-store-day-exclusives-elephant-reissue/ |access-date=April 23, 2013 |work=Spin |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721015550/http://www.spin.com/2013/03/jack-white-record-store-day-exclusives-elephant-reissue/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2023, a mono remix of the album, titled ''Elephant XX'', was announced and later released exclusively through Third Man Records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=2023-01-09 |title=The White Stripes' Elephant gets new mono mix for 20th anniversary |url=https://consequence.net/2023/01/the-white-stripes-elephant-20th-anniversary-mono-release/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111195454/https://consequence.net/2023/01/the-white-stripes-elephant-20th-anniversary-mono-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=THIRD MAN RECORDS ANNOUNCES VAULT PACKAGE #55: THE WHITE STRIPES - ELEPHANT XX |url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/third-man-records-announces-vault-package-55-the-white-stripes-elephant-xx |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Third Man Records – Official Store |date=January 9, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814164533/https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/third-man-records-announces-vault-package-55-the-white-stripes-elephant-xx |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, a deluxe edition for the anniversary was released with live recordings from a performance in Chicago's [[Aragon Ballroom (Chicago)|Aragon Ballroom]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2023 |title=THE WHITE STRIPES CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ELEPHANT WITH LIMITED EDITION VINYL AND DIGITAL DELUXE RELEASES |url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/the-white-stripes-celebrate-20th-anniversary-of-elephant-with-limited-edition-vinyl-and-digital-deluxe-releases |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Third Man Records – Official Store |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001195213/https://thirdmanrecords.com/blogs/news/the-white-stripes-celebrate-20th-anniversary-of-elephant-with-limited-edition-vinyl-and-digital-deluxe-releases |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-09 |title=The White Stripes Announce 20th Anniversary Elephant Reissue, Share Live Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-white-stripes-announce-20th-anniversary-elephant-reissue-share-live-song-listen/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311040038/https://pitchfork.com/news/the-white-stripes-announce-20th-anniversary-elephant-reissue-share-live-song-listen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
| MC = 92/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/elephant/the-white-stripes |title=Reviews for ''Elephant'' by The White Stripes |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409191802/http://www.metacritic.com/music/elephant/the-white-stripes |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Allmusic" />
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2Score = B<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/31/elephant |title=''Elephant'' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=703 |issn=1049-0434 |date=March 31, 2003 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Brunner |first=Rob |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204456/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/31/elephant/ |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/mar/28/popandrock.artsfeatures |title=The White Stripes: ''Elephant'' |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |oclc=60623878 |date=March 28, 2003 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130054549/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/mar/28/popandrock.artsfeatures |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-ca-hilburn30-story.html |title=Sitting atop rock's new wave |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=March 30, 2003 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Hilburn |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623150710/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-ca-hilburn30-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev5Score = 9/10<ref name="nme">{{cite journal |url=http://www.nme.com:80/reviews/the-white-stripes/7000 |title=White Stripes: ''Elephant'' |journal=[[NME]] |date=March 7, 2003 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |last=Mulvey |first=John |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209111946/http://www.nme.com/reviews/the-white-stripes/7000 |archive-date=February 9, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev6Score = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8652-elephant/ |title=The White Stripes: ''Elephant'' |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=April 1, 2003 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=DiCrescenzo |first=Brent |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025062815/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8652-elephant/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=The White Stripes: ''Elephant'' |journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=201 |date=April 2003 |page=98}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/elephant-20030325 |title=''Elephant'' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |issn=0035-791X |date=March 25, 2003 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Fricke |first=David |author-link=David Fricke |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406071804/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/elephant-20030325 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev9Score = A<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CleCKauyN34C&pg=PA107 |title=White Hot |journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |volume=19 |issue=5 |issn=0886-3032 |date=May 2003 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |last=Klosterman |first=Chuck |author-link=Chuck Klosterman |pages=107–08}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev10Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=The White Stripes: ''Elephant'' |journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |issue=72 |date=May 2003 |page=94}}</ref>
}}

''Elephant'' received widespread acclaim from music critics; review aggregating website [[Metacritic]] reports a normalized score of 92 out of 100 based on 28 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{Citation |title=Elephant by The White Stripes |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/elephant/the-white-stripes |access-date=2023-04-04 |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322220953/https://www.metacritic.com/music/elephant/the-white-stripes |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p371524|tab=biography|label=The White Stripes – Biography|first=Andrew|last=Leahey|access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref> In a perfect 5 star review, ''[[AllMusic]]'' critic Heather Phares said ''Elephant'' "overflows with quality".<ref name="Allmusic" /> [[David Fricke]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called ''Elephant'' "a work of pulverizing perfection," and believed it exceeded "the plantation holler of 2000's [[De Stijl (album)|''De Stijl'']] and 2001's ''White Blood Cells'' with blues that both pop and bleed".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fricke |first=David |date=April 1, 2003 |title=Elephant |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/elephant-2-117445/ |access-date=October 2, 2025 |website=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |archive-date=September 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905134206/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/elephant-2-117445/ |url-status=live }}</ref> John Mulvey of ''[[NME]]'' rated the album 9/10 and stated that "The eloquence, barbarism, tenderness and sweat-drenched vitality of ''Elephant'' make it the most {{Sic|hide=y|fully|-}}realised White Stripes album yet."<ref name="nme" /> The [[Los Angeles Times|''Los Angeles Times'']]'s [[Robert Hilburn]] claimed that the band earned more respect "than any other U.S. band since [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and [[Nine Inch Nails]]" and compared the listening experience of ''Elephant'' to "playing chess with a tournament pro -- an experience so full of unexpected twists and turns that you find yourself trying to guess where he's (Jack) going, only to marvel at his choices."<ref>{{cite news |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Hilburn |date=March 30, 2003 |title=Sitting atop rock's new wave |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-ca-hilburn30-story.html |access-date=November 26, 2015 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623150710/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-ca-hilburn30-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 

[[Alexis Petridis]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' called ''Elephant'' their "apotheosis" and wrote that "the White Stripes' music seems almost elemental, their power undeniable: it is clear why they are the only band to have transcended the indie ghetto."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=2003-03-28 |title=The White Stripes: Elephant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/mar/28/popandrock.artsfeatures |access-date=2024-08-12 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130054549/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/mar/28/popandrock.artsfeatures |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Uncut (magazine)|''Uncut'']] magazine remarked that "''Elephant'' is where the tabloid phenomenon of summer 2001 prove they are no flash in the pan by making a truly phenomenal record."<ref>Byline unknown (May 2003), "Elephant". ''Uncut''. '''volume unknown:''' 94</ref> In contrast, [[Jon Pareles]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'', while praising the continuation of their "back to basics" template, felt that "the quest—for something that might as well be called heart—is still ahead of them."<ref name="Pareles" /> Rob Brunner of [[Entertainment Weekly|''Entertainment Weekly'']] deemed ''Elephant'' a "front-loaded Jack White powerhouse" and called the band half-talented, criticizing Meg's drumming.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brunner |first=Rob |date=March 31, 2003 |title=''Elephant'' |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/31/elephant |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204456/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/31/elephant/ |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=703 |issn=1049-0434}}</ref> Brent DiCrescenzo of [[Pitchfork (website)|''Pitchfork'']] was similarly negative in his review, believing Jack's blending of elements seemed superficial and Meg's drumming was "pancake-handed".<ref>{{cite web |last=DiCrescenzo |first=Brent |date=April 1, 2003 |title=The White Stripes: ''Elephant'' |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8652-elephant/ |access-date=September 24, 2011 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025062815/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8652-elephant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Lorraine Ali]] of ''[[Newsweek]]'' criticized the band's gimmicks but concluded that the album "still sounds great."<ref>Ali, Lorraine (April 14, 2003), [http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=9461056&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live "The Second Coming"]. ''Newsweek''. '''141''' (15):57</ref> 

''Elephant'' was named the best album of 2003 by ''[[Loudwire]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |date=August 19, 2025 |title=The Best Alt-Rock Album of Each Year of the 2000s |url=https://loudwire.com/best-alternative-rock-album-by-year-2000s/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=<nowiki>[[Loudwire]]</nowiki> |language=en |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819231439/https://loudwire.com/best-alternative-rock-album-by-year-2000s/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''NME'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=October 10, 2016 |title=NME's best albums and tracks of 2003 |url=https://www.nme.com/features/2003-2-1045351 |access-date=October 10, 2025 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426145812/https://www.nme.com/features/2003-2-1045351 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Spin''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spin Staff |first= |date=December 31, 2003 |title=The 40 Best Albums of 2003 |url=https://www.spin.com/2003/12/40-best-albums-2003/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |language=en-US |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204080012/https://www.spin.com/2003/12/40-best-albums-2003/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also placed highly in other end-of-year lists, including [[The Village Voice|''The Village Voice'']]'s "[[Pazz & Jop]]" poll and ''The Guardian''<nowiki/>'s roundup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 2003: Critics Poll |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres03.php |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=www.robertchristgau.com |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403233534/https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres03.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 14, 2003 |title=Albums of 2003 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/dec/14/shopping5 |access-date=October 10, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129065018/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/dec/14/shopping5 |url-status=live }}</ref> The record netted the band their first [[Grammy Awards]] at the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|2004 ceremony]], winning the [[Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album|Best Alternative Music Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]] ("Seven Nation Army") awards, in addition to the band's only nomination for the [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] award.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Performance |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/altperf.htm |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.rockonthenet.com |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125080745/http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/altperf.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Rock On The Net: 46th Annual Grammy Awards - 2004 |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2004/grammys.htm |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.rockonthenet.com |archive-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218081526/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2004/grammys.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It also won Best International Album at the [[2004 Meteor Awards|2004 Meteor Music Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-02-01 |title=Meteor - Meteor Ireland Music Awards Past Winners |url=http://www.meteor.ie/about/music_awards/mima_winners/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201113547/http://www.meteor.ie/about/music_awards/mima_winners/ |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |access-date=2023-03-11}}</ref> and was nominated for [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Album|Best Album]] at the [[2003 MTV Europe Music Awards]],<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2012-07-29 |title=MTV European Award Nominees: Timberlake, White Stripes Lead The Pack |url=http://www.tourdates.co.uk/news/2984-mtv-european-award-nominees-timberlake-white-stripes-lead-the-pack |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729125549/http://www.tourdates.co.uk/news/2984-mtv-european-award-nominees-timberlake-white-stripes-lead-the-pack |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |access-date=2023-03-11}}</ref> [[Brit Award for International Album|International Album]] at the [[Brit Awards 2004|2004 Brit Awards]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-01-12 |title=Full list of Brit Awards 2004 nominations |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_3391000/3391121.stm |access-date=2023-03-11 |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703232715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_3391000/3391121.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and Best Album at the 2004 [[NME Awards|Shockwaves NME Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=2004-02-13 |title=Radiohead hailed at NME awards |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/feb/13/radiohead.popandrock |access-date=2023-03-11 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201182049/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/feb/13/radiohead.popandrock |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Commercial performance ==
''Elephant'' entered the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] at number six after first week sales of 126,000 units and spent 58 weeks on the chart, the longest of any White Stripes album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Susman |first=Gary |date=April 9, 2003 |title=White Stripes debut at No. 6 on the album chart |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/04/09/white-stripes-debut-no-6-album-chart/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The White Stripes {{!}} Biography, Music & News |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-white-stripes/ |access-date=July 18, 2025 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US |archive-date=August 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250804174949/https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-white-stripes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was certified [[RIAA certification|platinum]] in the United States in September 2003, and ended the year at number 57 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-billboard-200-albums |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429053521/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-billboard-200-albums/ |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=September 30, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> That same month, it received a platinum certification in Canada.<ref name="MC">{{cite certification|region=Canada|title=|artist=The White Stripes|type=|access-date=November 12, 2025}}</ref> In the UK, the album topped the [[UK Albums Chart]] and spent 55 weeks on the chart.<ref name=":22" /> It was certified double platinum in October 2003 and finished the year at number 22 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web |title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2003 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20030105/37502/ |access-date=August 24, 2020 |publisher=Official Charts Company |archive-date=January 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104231348/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20030105/37502/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In October 2009, ''Elephant'' was certified double platinum in Australia.<ref name="ARIA-2009-albums">{{cite web |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums |url=https://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2009Albums.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201022827/http://aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2009Albums.htm |archive-date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=November 12, 2025 |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]}}</ref> In March 2023, ahead of the album's 20th anniversary, it received a double platinum certification in the United States.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite certification|region=United States|title=|artist=The White Stripes|type=|access-date=November 12, 2025}}</ref> By December 2003, the album was certified triple platinum in Canada and the United Kingdom.<ref name=":22" /> As of 2025, ''Elephant'' has earned the most certifications of any White Stripes album.<ref>{{cite web |last=Haramis |first=Nick |date=9 March 2013 |title=On With The Show |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2013/BB-2013-03-09.pdf |access-date=10 October 2025 |publisher=American Radio History (Billboard Archive) |page=24}}</ref> 

== Legacy ==
[[File:Meg & Jack, The White Stripes.jpg|thumb|''Elephant'' and its singles played a significant role in the popularity of the White Stripes. Pictured are band members [[Meg White|Meg]] (left) and [[Jack White]] (right) in 2007.]]
Since its release, ''Elephant'' has been cited by critics as a landmark album of the 2000s garage rock revival and the White Stripes's best work.<ref name="Fridge" /><ref name="SWEET" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=April 2023 |title=20 Years Ago: White Stripes Spark a Rock Revolution on 'Elephant' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/white-stripes-elephant/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207030817/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/white-stripes-elephant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sarah Boden of ''The Guardian'' observed that, by the end of the 2000s, "nobody matched Jack and Meg when it came to creating a colossal sound out of such basic ingredients. ''Elephant'', after all, was the release that banished preconceptions about the White Stripes' self-consciously limiting format and affirmed that they were consistently and swaggeringly magnificent."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boden |first=Sarah |date=November 24, 2009 |title=Albums of the decade No 7: The White Stripes – Elephant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/24/albums-decade-white-stripes-elephant |access-date=October 3, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=October 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031031127/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/24/albums-decade-white-stripes-elephant |url-status=live }}</ref> Tom Breihan of ''[[Stereogum]]'' deemed the album as the band's "show-and-prove moment. They showed, and they proved." Breihan further wrote that "the vast majority of ''Elephant'' holds together as a mean, surly, pretty statement of rock dominance. The pressure was on, but they weren't gonna crack."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=March 30, 2023 |title=The White Stripes' 'Elephant' Turns 20 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2217939/white-stripes-elephant-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/ |access-date=October 3, 2025 |website=[[Stereogum]] |language=en |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223210922/https://www.stereogum.com/2217939/white-stripes-elephant-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]''{{'s}} Michael Gallucci declared that ''Elephant'' sparked a "rock revolution" and made guitar-based music prominent again, calling it a "masterpiece".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=April 1, 2023 |title=20 Years Ago: White Stripes Spark a Rock Revolution on 'Elephant' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/white-stripes-elephant/ |access-date=October 3, 2025 |website=[[Townsquare Media|Ultimate Classic Rock]] |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207030817/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/white-stripes-elephant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In March 2003, a month before its release, ''NME'' ranked ''Elephant'' at 74 on their list of the "100 Best Albums of All Time" list.<ref name=":16">{{cite journal |date=8 March 2003 |title=NME's 100 Best Albums of All Time! |journal=NME |page=30}}</ref> Halfway through the 2000s, it appeared in the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''.<ref name=":5">{{cite book |last1=Dimery |first1=Robert |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition |last2=Lydon |first2=Michael |date=March 23, 2010 |publisher=Universe |isbn=978-0-7893-2074-2}}</ref> In 2009, ''Billboard'' ranked it at number nine in its list of the Top 20 Albums of the Decade.<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2009-12-16 |title=Billboard Critics' Top 20 Albums of the Decade |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-critics-top-20-albums-of-the-decade-266375/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311040838/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-critics-top-20-albums-of-the-decade-266375/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it number five on their list of the 100 Best Albums of the 2000s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=2011-07-18 |title=100 Best Albums of the 2000s |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-albums-of-the-2000s-153375/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701005627/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-albums-of-the-2000s-153375/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other publications that included ''Elephant'' on their decade-best albums lists include [[Complex Networks|''Complex'']],<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s |url=https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-albums-of-the-2000s |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Complex |language=en |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311040038/https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-albums-of-the-2000s |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Consequence (publication)|''Consequence'']],<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=cosstaff |date=2009-11-17 |title=The Top 100 Albums of the 2000s |url=https://consequence.net/2009/11/cos-top-of-the-decade-the-albums/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413171555/https://consequence.net/2009/11/cos-top-of-the-decade-the-albums/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''NME'',<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2009-11-11 |title=The Top 100 Greatest Albums Of The Decade |url=https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade-1381 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711220245/http://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade-1381 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Paste (magazine)|''Paste'']],<ref name=":20">{{Cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums of the 2000s |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-best-albums-of-the-decade |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311040053/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-best-albums-of-the-decade |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Pitchfork'',<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2009 |title=The 200 Best Albums of the 2000s - Page 7 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7710-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-20-1/?page=7 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Pitchfork |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608083534/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7710-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-20-1/?page=7 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Spin (magazine)|''Spin'']],<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Eyeballs |first=Slicing Up |date=2010-04-28 |title=U2's 'Achtung Baby' tops Spin magazine's list of the 125 best albums of last 25 years |url=https://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2010/04/28/spin-magazine-125-best-albums-last-25-years/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Slicing Up Eyeballs |language=en-US |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311040040/https://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2010/04/28/spin-magazine-125-best-albums-last-25-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Slant Magazine|''Slant'']],<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |author=Slant Staff |date=2010-02-01 |title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/best-of-the-aughts-albums/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225154942/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/best-of-the-aughts-albums/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Uncut (magazine)|''Uncut'']]<ref name=":25">{{Cite web |title=Rocklist.net..Rocklist.net... Uncut Lists .. |url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/Uncut_P2.htm#150_Greatest_Albums_Of_The_21st_Century |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201021231/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/Uncut_P2.htm#150_Greatest_Albums_Of_The_21st_Century |archive-date=December 1, 2013 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.rocklistmusic.co.uk}}</ref> In 2012, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked ''Elephant'' at 390 on their list of the [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]], dropping it to 449 in the 2020 revision.<ref name="500-greatest">{{cite magazine |date=31 May 2012 |title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/zz-top-eliminator-67102/ |access-date=6 August 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |date=2020-09-22 |title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/ |access-date=2020-10-19 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200922150118/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/roberta-flack-first-take-1062782/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, ''NME'' ranked the album 114 on their list of [[NME's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Emily |date=2013-10-25 |title=The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time: 200-101 |url=https://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-200-101-1426258 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104003059/https://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-200-101-1426258 |url-status=live }}</ref>  Also in 2013, readers at [[Mojo (magazine)|''Mojo'']] voted ''Elephant'' as the most influential album of the last 20 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Lydia |date=October 29, 2013 |title=White Stripes' Elephant is the 'most influential album of the last 20 years' say Mojo readers |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/white-stripes-elephant-most-influential-2652133 |access-date=October 11, 2025 |website=[[Daily Mirror|The Mirror]] |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125122435/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/white-stripes-elephant-most-influential-2652133 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, ''[[The Guardian]]'' ranked it 48 on their The 100 Best Albums of the 21st Century list.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last1=Beaumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |last2=Snapes |first2=Laura |date=2019-09-13 |title=The 100 best albums of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/13/100-best-albums-of-the-21st-century |access-date=2023-03-11 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913091456/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/13/100-best-albums-of-the-21st-century |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, ''Newsweek'' ranked it 81 on their 100 Best Rock Albums of All Time;<ref name=":27">{{Cite web |last=Dewitt |first=Ellen |date=2020-12-05 |title=100 Best Rock Albums of All Time |url=https://www.newsweek.com/100-best-rock-albums-all-time-1532301 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210205808/https://www.newsweek.com/100-best-rock-albums-all-time-1532301 |url-status=live }}</ref> the same publication ranked it 13 on their 50 Best Rock Albums from the 21st Century in 2021.<ref name=":28">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Nicole |date=2021-08-11 |title=50 Best Rock Albums From the 21st Century |url=https://www.newsweek.com/50-best-rock-albums-21st-century-1618025 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210205810/https://www.newsweek.com/50-best-rock-albums-21st-century-1618025 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Olivia Rodrigo]] said ''Elephant'' is the album she listens to most.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Specter |first=Emma |date=July 7, 2023 |title=Olivia Rodrigo Answers Vogue's 73 Questions |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/73-questions-olivia-rodrigo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120041236/https://www.vogue.com/article/73-questions-olivia-rodrigo |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]}}</ref> In a ''Spin'' article, artists who cited the album as an inspiration include [[Ron Gallo]], [[Rob Miller (musician)|Rob Miller]], [[Brett Newski]], [[Mike Peters (musician)|Mike Peters]], [[Slug (rapper)|Slug]], [[The Linda Lindas|Bela Salazar]], [[Gina Schock]], [[Imaad Wasif]], [[Black Country, New Road|Charlie Wayne]], and [[Nancy Wilson (rock musician)|Nancy Wilson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Ron |date=April 1, 2023 |title=Elephant Turns 20: Artists Reflect on the White Stripes' Landmark Album |url=https://www.spin.com/2023/04/the-white-stripes-elephant-20th-anniversary/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218052053/https://www.spin.com/2023/04/the-white-stripes-elephant-20th-anniversary/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=qn_3BiTSlYcbVxJDuN.m4U0BxYUz4wvJ6Fa8Es1Toiw-1739856053-1.0.1.1-hXuFBiAfoYxoaTl0nfEPJXkhRNRK8WbIsvttY.QpjdA |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| all_lyrics    = [[Jack White]], except where noted
| all_music     = Jack and [[Meg White]], except where noted
| title1        = [[Seven Nation Army]]
| length1       = 3:52
| title2        = Black Math
| length2       = 3:04
| title3        = [[There's No Home for You Here]]
| length3       = 3:44
| title4        = [[I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself#The White Stripes version|I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself]]
| writer4       = [[Hal David]], [[Burt Bacharach]]
| length4       = 2:46
| title5        = [[In the Cold, Cold Night]]
| length5       = 2:58
| title6        = I Want to Be the Boy to Warm Your Mother's Heart
| length6       = 3:21
| title7        = You've Got Her in Your Pocket
| length7       = 3:40
| title8        = [[Ball and Biscuit]]
| length8       = 7:19
| title9        = [[The Hardest Button to Button]]
| length9       = 3:32
| title10       = Little Acorns
| length10      = 4:09
| writer10      = Jack White, [[Mort Crim]]
| title11       = Hypnotize
| length11      = 1:48
| title12       = The Air Near My Fingers
| length12      = 3:40
| title13       = Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine
| length13      = 3:18
| title14       = It's True That We Love One Another
| length14      = 2:43
| headline      = ''Elephant'' track listing
| total_length  = 49:56
}}
=== Notes ===

* The Japanese release of ''Elephant'' includes "Who's to Say" ([[Dan Miller (guitarist)|Dan Miller]]) and "Good to Me" ([[Brendan Benson]], [[Jason Falkner]]) as [[bonus tracks]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Elephant |type=Liner notes, CD booklet |others=[[The White Stripes]] |id=V2CP 150 |year=2003}}</ref>
* On some releases of ''Elephant'', track 14 is mistitled as "Well It's True That We Love One Another".<ref name="linernote" />

==Personnel==
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Elephant |type=Liner notes, LP booklet |others=[[The White Stripes]] |id=XLLP 162 |year=2003}}</ref>
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''The White Stripes'''
* [[Jack White]]&nbsp;– vocals, guitar, piano, production, mixing
* [[Meg White]]&nbsp;– drums, vocals

'''Guest personnel'''
* [[Mort Crim]]&nbsp;– vocal
* [[Holly Golightly (singer)|Holly Golightly]]&nbsp;– vocal

'''Production'''
* [[Liam Watson (record producer)|Liam Watson]]&nbsp;– engineering, mixing
* Miti&nbsp;– engineering <small>(track 4)</small>
* Noel Summerville&nbsp;– mastering

'''Artwork'''
* Bruce Brand&nbsp;– layout
* "The Third Man"&nbsp;– artwork
* Patrick Pantano&nbsp;– photography{{col-end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2003 chart performance for ''Elephant''
! scope="col"| Chart (2003)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|4|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|39|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|11|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|11|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|5|artist=The White Stripes|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Denmark|35|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|24|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Finland|19|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|France|21|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|27|id=4449|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Ireland2|3|artist=The White Stripes|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|6|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|3|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20030406|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|7|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|29|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|1|date=20030406|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|6|artist=The White Stripes|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2020}}
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2023 chart performance for ''Elephant''
! scope="col"| Chart (2023)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Germany|19|id=4449|artist=The White Stripes|album=Elephant|rowheader=true|access-date=April 28, 2023|refname=ger-2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Spain|100|M|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2023/17|title=Top 100 Albums Weekly|publisher=[[Promusicae]]|work=El portal de Música|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2023}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2003 year-end chart performance for ''Elephant''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2003)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2003/albums-chart|title=ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2003|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028072803/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2003/albums-chart|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 45
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2003&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2003|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=January 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103181011/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2003&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 43
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2003&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2003|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105023153/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2003&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 58
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2003&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2003|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619035744/http://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2003&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 83
|-
! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2003|title=Top de l'année Top Albums 2003|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117181521/http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2003|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 137
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2004|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412061657/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2004/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 75
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/2003-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 2003|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=August 21, 2021|archive-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211000646/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=2084|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 16
|-
! scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2003&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album – År 2003|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613011241/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2003&dspp=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 74
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20030105/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2003|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104231348/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20030105/37502/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 22
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429053521/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-billboard-200-albums/ |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |url-status=dead | access-date=September 30, 2025}}</ref>
| 57
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2004 year-end chart performance for ''Elephant''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2004)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2004&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2004|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917112233/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2004&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 57
|-
! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2004|title=Top de l'année Top Albums 2004|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308012408/https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2004|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 128
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2004.pdf|title=UK Year-End Chart 2004|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=March 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331160914/http://ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2004.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 153
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2004/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123004415/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2004/top-billboard-200-albums/ |archive-date=November 23, 2024 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2025}}</ref>
| 173
|}
{{col-end}}

== Certifications ==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Elephant''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2009|relyear=2003|access-date=April 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Belgium|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|certyear=2007|certmonth=3|relyear=2003|access-date=April 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2023|relyear=2003|access-date=December 22, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=The White Stripes & Jack White|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2019|certyear=2025|id=15860|access-date=September 8, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Germany|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Gold|certyear=2018|relyear=2003|access-date=April 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Netherlands|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|certyear=2004|relyear=2003|access-date=April 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=New Zealand|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|id=2004-03-19|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|refname="nz"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Norway|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=April 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Poland|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Gold|certyear=2024|relyear=2003|access-date=June 13, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Sweden|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Gold|certyear=2004|relyear=2003|relmonth=04|access-date=April 22, 2019|source=artist}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2022|relyear=2003|id=2034-1985-2|access-date=May 20, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2023|relyear=2003|access-date=March 29, 2023|salesamount=2,100,000|salesref= <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2013/BB-2013-03-09.pdf|publisher=American Radio History (Billboard Archive)|title=On With The Show|first=Nick|last=Haramis|page=24|date=9 March 2013|access-date=June 5, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|type=album|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|certyear=2004|access-date=August 25, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|relyear=2003|type=album|artist=The White Stripes|title=Elephant|salesamount=4,000,000|salesref=<ref name="wwsales">{{cite web |last=Garrity |first=Brian |date=May 27, 2005 |title='Satan' is real for White Stripes |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/satan-real-white-stripes-wbna8009286 |accessdate=May 9, 2024 |magazine=[[USA Today]] |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509205242/https://www.today.com/popculture/satan-real-white-stripes-wbna8009286 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=A Brief History of Album Covers|first=Jason|last=Draper|publisher=Flame Tree Publishing|location=London|year=2008|pages=356–357|isbn=9781847862112|oclc=227198538}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* ''[http://www.discogs.com/White-Stripes-Elephant/master/10341 Elephant]'' at [[Discogs]]
* {{Metacritic album|title=Elephant}}

{{The White Stripes}}
{{Jack White}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elephant}}
[[Category:The White Stripes albums]]
[[Category:2003 albums]]
[[Category:V2 Records albums]]
[[Category:XL Recordings albums]]
[[Category:Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jack White]]
[[Category:Third Man Records albums]]