Everything Flows: We're Going to be Friends

Tuesday 20 September 2022

We're Going to be Friends

Trust Me #42

We're Going to be Friends by White Stripes

I watched a beautiful film called Wonder at the weekend with my wife and kids. It's full of emotion as a young boy called Auggie, born with a rare medical deformity called mandibulofacial dysostosis, begins school at the age of 10 and following 27 different surgeries to help him see, smell, speak and hear.

Auggie has been home schooled and is so worried about his appearance that he wears a space helmet. The film captures the daily challenges Auggie faces, how he battles bullying, makes friends, displays immense courage and bravery and ultimately wins hearts.

I'd highly, highly recommend it.

There is point in the film where Auggie develops a friendship with a young boy called Jack. We see them playing light saber fights, computer games, walking in the sunshine and just hanging out and doing what friends do. This section is soundtracked perfectly by White Stripes We're Going to be Friends from their 2001 breakthough album, White Cells.

In the song Jack White sings about starting school and making a new friend. White sings softly and tenderly over a simple acoustic riff, his vocal melody is loving and soothing.

The song is a mere 140 seconds long and White briefly pauses as he tells his tale of friendship and learning. It's beautiful writing and it is beautifully performed. Trust me, this is a real heartwarmer.

Numbers, letters, learn to spell

Nouns and books and show and tell

Playtime we will throw the ball

Back to class, through the hall

Teacher marks our height against the wall

We don't notice any time pass, we don't notice anything

We sit side by side in every class

Teacher thinks that I sound funny, but she likes the way you sing

Tonight I'll dream when I'm in bed

When silly thoughts go through my head

About the bugs and alphabet

And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet