Lazaretto (song) explained

Lazaretto
Cover:Jack_White_-_Lazaretto_official_single_cover_art.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Jack White
Album:Lazaretto
B-Side:Power of My Love
Length:3:39
Label:Third Man
Producer:Jack White
Prev Title:I'm Shakin
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Would You Fight for My Love?
Next Year:2014

"Lazaretto" is the first single from Jack White's second solo album of the same name. The live version of the song was recorded, pressed and released on the same day (19 April 2014).[1] On the B-side was a cover of Elvis Presley's song "Power of My Love".[2] [3]

By recording, pressing and releasing the live version of "Lazaretto" in less than four hours, Jack White broke the previous Guinness World Record set by Swiss polka trio Vollgas Kompanie, who issued their album Live on August 16, 2008, a day after they recorded it. There is a hidden message alongside matrix numbers in the runout areas on both sides of the "Lazaretto" "world's fastest record" vinyl: side A "Guinness", side B "Can Kiss My..."

The studio version of the song was released on April 21 on YouTube, and on April 22 the single was available for purchase digitally and as an instant download with all iTunes Lazaretto album pre-orders.[4]

A music video for "Lazaretto" was created by Jonas & François.

The song is a playable track in Guitar Hero Live and Rock Band 4. The song could also be heard in the TV Show Black Lighting.

Background

According to White, the musical arrangement to "Lazaretto" was inspired by MC Lyte's 1989 hit single "Cha Cha Cha".[5] [6]

Critical reception

In one positive review that emphasized White's guitar prowess, Billboard wrote that the single "is in-and-out, leaving the listener panting and ready to hear more from White's new album."[7] Giving the single four stars, Chuck Arnold of People said that on the track, White "unleashes one of his funkiest grooves since 'Seven Nation Army'."[8] Madison Vain, with Entertainment Weekly called the song a "dense, manic, and fantastically indulgent display of musicality," and said it "further cement[s] his position as rock & roll's primal keeper of the flame."[9]

The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards—Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance—winning the latter.

Track listing

  1. "Lazaretto" – 3:57
  2. "Power of My Love" – 5:00

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[10] 52
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11] 35

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jack White Releases World's Fastest Record . Coleman . Miriam . 19 April 2014 . . 20 April 2014.
  2. Web site: Jack White makes history, releases 'fastest' single . Paulson . Dave . 19 April 2014 . Tennessean . 20 April 2014.
  3. News: Jack White's quest to record and release a record in one day . Stevenson . Jane . . 19 April 2014 . 20 April 2014.
  4. Web site: Lazaretto Single on Third Man Records . 21 April 2014 . . 22 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140527214105/http://www.thirdmanrecords.com/news/view/lazaretto-single-album-track-listing-revealed-record-store-day-recap . 27 May 2014 . dead .
  5. Web site: Manning. Sean. Meet Daru Jones, Jack White's Secret Weapon. esquire.com. Esquire Magazine. 2015-11-28.
  6. Web site: Jack White Talks MC Lyte's Influence, "Seven Nation Army"'s Soccer Anthem Status For KROQ. radio.com. CBS Interactive. 2015-11-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208093926/http://radio.com/2014/06/12/jack-white-talks-mc-lytes-influence-seven-nation-armys-soccer-anthem-status-for-kroq/. 2015-12-08. dead.
  7. Graff, Gary (May 10, 2014). "JACK WHITE, 'LAZARETTO'". Billboard. 126 (15):43
  8. ARNOLD, CHUCK (May 12, 2014). People. 81 (19):57-58
  9. (December 12, 2014), "THE BEST SINGLES." Vain, Madison. "Entertainment Weekly" (1341):66-67
  10. Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014 . . December 21, 2014.
  11. Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014 . . December 21, 2014.