That Black Bat Licorice

Album: Lazaretto (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Lazaretto album was named after a word for a quarantine hospital island.

    The title was inspired by this personal song, which finds White talking about being a confined prisoner in a hospital. "That really is me, personally," he told NPR. "My sort of fantasy that I have is, I wish that some other forces, some powers that be, would push me into this scenario for a month and lock me somewhere, instead of me doing it to myself all the time. I'm always imposing restrictions on myself. And so I guess my fantasy is, it would be so nice to be in a quarantine hospital, but not to die from it - just to know that I had to stay here for two months and I can't do anything else. That's why I named the album Lazaretto."
  • The song finds White virtually rapping the lyrics as he references a fast black hearse, Nietzche, Freud and Horace in the same couplet:

    She's built for speed like a black castrum doloris
    Good for the needy like Nietzche, Freud and Horace


    "That's basically a hip-hop song," White told Jam! Music. "I wasn't going for it but I just found myself in the middle of it. I think I've done that a lot in my career and people haven't noticed. 'Icky Thump' is a hip-hop track. 'Freedom at 21' on the last album was a hip-hop track but I don't think anyone really categorizes that."
  • The "three-in-one" interactive video features a live action clip directed by White himself, an animated version helmed by James Blagden, and a "headbang" edition shot by Brad Holland. Viewers can switch between the three visuals by holding down the '3' or 'B' keys on their keyboard.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.