"The World Is Rated X" is a socially conscious song recorded by Marvin Gaye culled from sessions of the shelved You're the Man project from 1972, later issued on the Motown compilation album, Motown Remembers Marvin Gaye: Never Before Released Masters and released as a promotional single in 1986.
The initial recording was later issued as a single to promote a compilation album in 1986, while an alternate vocal version would later be included in the Deluxe Edition reissue of Let's Get It On in 2001.
This song was included along with other songs, including Gaye's original recording of the Ashford & Simpson composition, "Dark Side of the World", later recorded by Diana Ross on her self titled debut solo album.
in which Gaye delivered in a gospel sermon-inspired vocal, with backup from strings, horns, a solo saxophone riff, and a rhythm section.
The alternate vocal version of the song was released on the Deluxe Edition reissue of Let's Get It On six years later.