The meaning of the lyrics of the song "One More Cup of Coffee" by the artist "White Stripes, The"

In The White Stripes' "One More Cup of Coffee," the narrator is captivated by a woman's beauty and mystique but senses a distance and the impossibility of true connection.

The first verse portrays her physical allure: "breath so sweet," "eyes like two jewels," "back so straight," "hair like silk." Despite this, the narrator feels an emotional disconnect: "I don't feel love or affection... gratitude or love." Her "devotion" lies not with him but something higher, perhaps destiny or spiritual pursuits, symbolized by the "stars above."

Subsequent verses reveal details of her unconventional family and lifestyle. The father, a "renegade" and "traveling salesman," embodies a life of freedom and danger. He teaches his children survival in a harsh world ("how to choose and how to throw a knife"), fiercely protects his family ("watches over his kingdom"), and might even resort to violence ("his voice it trembles as he calls for another plate"). The sister and mother, both possessing the gift of foresight, add to the mystique surrounding the woman.

The woman herself emerges as enigmatic and contradictory. She is uneducated in the traditional sense ("never learned to read or write") yet possesses a captivating natural sensuality and beauty ("pleasure knows no bounds," "voice is like a meadowlark"). However, the narrator senses the inaccessibility of her inner world: "your heart is like an ocean, mysterious and dark."

The recurring line "One more cup of coffee for the road" emphasizes the fleeting nature of their encounter. The narrator knows he is destined to leave ("for the valley below") but asks for a little more time with this alluring and ultimately unknowable woman.