LISTEN: The White Stripes Release Previously Unreleased Song “Rated X”

The White Stripes are in the thick of releasing recordings that have been previously unreleased to the public. The latest unreleased tune to see the light of day is their trakc “Rated X,” a cover of Loretta Lynn’s 2004 single.

Loretta Lynn stands out not just as a great country performer or as a female performer, but as a truly gifted talent. Her ability to cross over into other genres other than country is an accomplishment that few in the music industry have ever been able to obtain. The only other example of an artist’s ability to inspire groups from outside their own particular genre would be Johnny Cash. In 2004, Loretta Lynn released an album called Van Lear Rose, a record that was produced by Jack White and is still widely considered as one of the best records of the early 2000’s. A deluxe version of the record will soon see release this year, and to accompany the record’s release, the deluxe edition will include a 7″ single by the White Stripes, the A-side of which will feature their rendition of Lynn’s song “Rated X.” The track will also be backed by another White Stripes country cover, “Jolene,” the B-side of the new single.

The White Stripes cover of “Rated X” was recorded in 2000 and was originally set to be featured as the B-side to the “Jolene” single, but the song was eventually scrapped in favor of another White Stripes classic, “Hello Operator.” Now, with the remastered deluxe edition of Loretta Lynn’s seminal 2004 record, the song finds new life. Although the preview of “Rated X” clocks in at just over twenty seconds long, it’s easy to see how well the White Stripes could pay tribute to one of country music’s biggest names of all time. The single will be pressed on a special edition white vinyl single disc and will be packaged in the classic Third Man sleeve. The unreleased White Stripes Track, and the Loretta Lynn record, will be released sometime this year, and will be available for pre-order until the end of the month.

This is just the latest unreleased track that the White Stripes have set free to their fans and other music enthusiasts. They recently released a new Vault Package which features a variety of unreleased tracks from a 2005 tour.