Robert Irwin will take to the Dancing with the Stars ballroom to celebrate Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night with a song that has a surprising hidden meaning.

Irwin will dance a Paso Doble alongside his pro partner, Witney Carson, to “Icky Thump.” The 2007 song was written and performed by The White Stripes.

“Icky Thump” is an English phrase. The band’s singer and songwriter, Jack White, told Rolling Stone, “It’s actually ‘ecky thump,’ a Northern English phrase meaning, ‘What the heck?’” White reportedly learned it from his ex-wife, Karen Elson.

The song is significant to The White Stripes‘ legacy for two reasons. One, it was the last time a song by Meg White and her brother Jack, as The White Stripes, hit the charts. Second, it was the band’s first openly political song. According to Genius lyrics, “Icky Thump” is a commentary on immigration.

Music Radar reprinted commentary from White’s 2007 Total Guitar interview, where he discussed the song. “There’s this quote from Bob Dylan where he pointed out that you can be heavily involved or interested in a topic without necessarily being political. ‘Icky Thump’ is a song about a set of characters and the question of who is using whom in a particular situation.”

The White Stripes: Icky Thump was the band’s final studio LP. It won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2008, according to NME.

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson fans can’t wait for week eight of ‘DWTS’

In an Instagram post dated November 2, 2025, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson were featured in the Dancing with the Stars rehearsal rooms, as they prepared for what is set to be an exciting dance.The caption to the series of two photos read, “Robert & Witney + The White Stripes = one thumpin’ Paso Doble. Watch Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on DWTS this Tuesday!”

Fans couldn’t contain their excitement for this week of dances celebrating those artists who have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They continue to cheer for Team Irwinit as they move forward in the competition.

“The White Stripes with Robert. Most perfect combination,” wrote one follower. A second person penned, “They’re gonna set the ballroom on fire with how amazing their dances always are, each week they keep rocking it.” A third viewer exclaimed they are rooting for “Team croc and roll.”

According to a Dancing with the Stars press release, the series will feature performances to songs by artists such as The White Stripes, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John, The Beach Boys, Dionne Warwick, Aerosmith, and Ike & Tina Turner.

Additionally, the remaining contestants will break into two teams, Team Kool and Team Chicago. DWTS hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will each join one team for the annual fan-favorite team dance competition.