Lazaretto (song)

"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]

"Lazaretto"
Single by Jack White
from the album Lazaretto
B-side	"Power of My Love"
Released	April 19, 2014 (2014-04-19)
Recorded	2012–14 (studio version) April 19, 2014 (2014-04-19) (live version)
Genre	Garage rock alternative rock
Length	3:39
Label	Third Man
Songwriter(s)	Jack White
Producer(s)	Jack White
Jack White singles chronology
"I'm Shakin" (2012) "Lazaretto" (2014) "Would You Fight for My Love?" (2014)

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

• 7" vinyl

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

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2014) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[10] 18 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 98 Canada Rock (Billboard)[12] 2 France (SNEP)[13] 173 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[14] 8 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] 15 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[16] 9

Year-end charts Chart (2014) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[17] 52 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[18] 35

Personnel

• Jack White – vocals, electric guitar
• Daru Jones – drums
• Dominic Davis – bass
• Fats Kaplin – fiddle
• Isaiah "Ikey" Owens – Moog synth
• Cory Younts – Korg synth

References

1. Coleman, Miriam (19 April 2014). "Jack White Releases World's Fastest Record". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
2. Paulson, Dave (19 April 2014). "Jack White makes history, releases 'fastest' single". Tennessean. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
3. Stevenson, Jane (19 April 2014). "Jack White's quest to record and release a record in one day". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
4. "Lazaretto Single on Third Man Records". Third Man Records. 21 April 2014. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
5. Manning, Sean. "Meet Daru Jones, Jack White's Secret Weapon". esquire.com. Esquire Magazine. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
6. "Jack White Talks MC Lyte's Influence, "Seven Nation Army"'s Soccer Anthem Status For KROQ". radio.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
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. "[US&titel=Lazaretto&cat=s Jack White [US] – Lazaretto"] (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
11. "Jack White Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
12. "Jack White Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
13. "[US&titel=Lazaretto&cat=s Jack White [US] – Lazaretto"] (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
14. "Jack White Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
15. "Jack White Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
16. "Jack White Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
17. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
18. "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.