1001 Songs Challenge #990: Lazaretto (2014)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

 

Jack White – Lazaretto (2014)

 

 

We say farewell to 2014. We’re continuing in the US, dear reader, but leaving Philadelphia and heading over to Detroit in Michigan. Jack White has previously appeared on our list as a member of White Stripes and for his solo collaboration with Loretta Lynn. When we join him in 2014 White has released his second album – Lazaretto – and from there 1001 Songs have gone with the title track for our listening pleasure. 

White’s album took some inspiration from short stories he wrote as a nineteen year old and were found stashed away in a box. White reflected that it was a connection with his younger self and he was able to yield some ideas from years before. Lazaretto also draws inspiration from hip hop with the narrator here boasting of his achievements as many hip hop singers do. The difference here is that White’s narrator is completely sincere in all he claims. He interacts with God, here referred to as Her, and praises himself to such an extent that he insists he has the power to restore Detroit from the ashes of its obsolescence to glory once more. 

Yet another appearance for Jack White on our list which not only demonstrates his talent but also his versatility as a performer. Lazaretto is another well-written rock number from White who has well and truly left White Stripes behind at this stage. White continues to perform and has three solo albums under his belt as well as being a member of both The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)

Snow Patrol – Run