Rolling Stones on Decca | 3 |

The way it should be (but you can’t always get what you want, obviously) | PREVIOUS

1. The Last Time (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, January 17, 1965)
Single A-side • February 1965
2. Play With Fire (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, January 17, 1965)
Single B-side • February 1965
3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
Single A-side • June 1965 (US) • August 1965 (UK)
4. The Spider And The Fly (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
Single B-side • June 1965 • US

5. One More Try (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
released on US-album »Out Of Our Heads« • July 1965

Album »Out Of Our Heads« • September 1965 • UK
6. She Said Yeah (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
7. Mercy Mercy (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, May 10, 1965)
8. Hitch Hike (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
9. That’s How Strong My Love Is (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, May 10, 1965)
10. Good Times (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
11. Gotta Get Away (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
12. Talkin’ ’bout You (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
13. Cry To Me (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
14. Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin’ (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
15. Heart Of Stone (recorded RCA Studios,Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
16. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, May 10, 1965)
released on single »Satisfaction« (uncensored) and UK album »Out Of Our Heads« (edited)
17. I’m Free (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)

18. Get Off Of My Cloud (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
Single A-side • September 1965 (UK) • October 1965 (US)
19. The Singer Not The Song (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
Single B-side • October 1965 • US

20. Look What You’ve Done (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10/11, 1964)
Released on US-album »December’s Children« • December 1965
21. Blue Turns To Grey (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
Released on US-album »December’s Children« • December 1965
22. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
Released on album »Got Live If You Want It!« with overdubbed applause • Undubbed version on 4-LP Box »The Best Of The Rest« • 1983 • Germany
23. My Girl (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965, strings overdubbed October 26, 1965)
released on US-album »Flowers« • July 1967

What makes a Rolling Stones album a real classic Stones album? Certainly not a poorly-recorded live track, added at the end of side one. So the US version of »Out Of Our Heads« (and its companion, »December’s Children«) doesn’t count – although they’re more representative of the band at this point in time than the official British version of their third album.

By 1965 the Rolling Stones were recording whenever there was time and a studio available, and their management put out these tracks – apparently at random – on numerous singles, EPs, albums, compilations and foreign versions: a discography so confusing that there are still tracks that haven’t been compiled on reissues to this day. And who decided to release »Satisfaction« on a single in America (in May 1965, the same month it was recorded!), and wait till August before it finally appeared on a 45 in the UK and Europe?

So, let’s start with two singles: 
1. The Last Time
A few weeks after the second album (mainly comprised of cover versions) comes a single written by Jagger & Richards. Jangling guitars and that sloppy Stones beat enhance a song that’s clearly worlds away from the pop tunes of the day. Keith plays a prototype of THE Rock Guitar Riff throughout while Brian Jones adds lead guitar, and this song is the first in a string of classic Stones singles.

2. Play With Fire
An acoustic ballad for the B-side. Shades of Baroque Pop from Jack Nitzsche on harpsichord (and Phil Spector on acoustic guitar!), and the lyrics point to the regal poetry of »Aftermath«.

3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Sounds more like a 1966 Dylan track than 1965 beat music. Fuzz guitar lick, and Charlie supplies a stomping rhythm, accented by Bill’s pumping bass. The »wide stereo« mix on some continental compilations clearly shows what a fabulous arrangement this is – listen to the acoustic guitar fills, and a piano comes in during the second half. Most of all, Mick shouts and half-sings the lyrics in an early demonstration of rock vocal mannerisms to come.

4. The Spider And The Fly
A relaxed Nanker/Phelge song on the US flip side. Starts like a studio jam, and ends with energetic harmonica.

5. One More Try
Exclusive to the US Version of the album, here the band hurries through another Chess-style original, prominent harp ‘n’ all..

»Out Of Our Heads« was the first Stones LP recorded entirely in America, and it clearly shows how they have progressed from the previous albums. But as they didn’t include singles on their long players in the UK it results in the weird impression that the band was still very much a covers band: the three accompanying singles, entirely self-written and with carefully constructed arrangements, tell a completely different story.

6. She Said Yeah
Is this the beginning of Garage Rock? Scorching guitars, shouty backing vocals, all recorded like a demo. Certainly not the known way to start an album after several number 1 hits.

7. Mercy Mercy
The vastly improved Stones machine tackles a Don Covay song. Again, it all sounds rather loose and rocking’.

8. Hitch Hike
A return to the sound of the first two albums – a fitting environment for this Marvin Gaye song. Irritating little guitar solo in the middle.

9. That’s How Strong My Love Is
Mick in full soul man mode – and surprisingly low in the mix. Again, the chaotic recording gives it an unexpected authenticity.

10. Good Times
This is more poppy, with Bill in inspiring mood.

11. Gotta Get Away
The Stones kinda playing it safe, doing one of their bad boys/anti-love songs.

12. Talkin’ ’bout You
A bluesy Chuck Berry song, totally re-arranged, with a piercing guitar solo over Bill’s fat bass line.

13. Cry To Me
Mick tries a real, soulful vocal, and yet again, the somewhat shambling arrangement and sloppy recording gives it a certain charm.

14. Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin’)
Stones-by-numbers. By now they can’t put a foot wrong – they’re a really competent R&B dance band. No backing vocals this time, thank God.

15. Heart Of Stone
From the first few bars on this clearly is in a different league. Beautifully played and recorded, and a fabulous anti-pop song it is, too.

16. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man
The Nanker/Phelge boys try their hand at a kind of mid-Atlantic, Kinksian walking blues. About the rock business, no less. British flip to »Satisfaction«, and quite rightly so..

17. I’m Free
The tambourine is back! The song mixes Dylan attitude with a semi-Townshend message – and shows the Stones sound of 1965 at its best (Recorded two weeks before the album was released!).

And finally – another single:

18. Get Off Of My Cloud
Listen to Charlie’s hard-as-nails drumming, from the intro all the way through this fantastic song. The guitar rifferama is toned down a bit, with all the action in the vocals and the incessant drum shots. Another of these curious »wide stereo« mixes on a French EP sounds completely different with the main guitar riff pushed way up high into the foreground, building up an unnerving and monotonous atmosphere.

19. The Singer Not The Song
Another pop B-side, heavy on acoustic guitars – Brian gets to shine in the middle. Mick and Keith sing in close harmony!

20. Look What You’ve Done
With all their different compilations and albums the Stones still had a backlog of unused tracks. This is an outtake from the Chess studio sessions for the »Five By Five« EP the previous year.

21. Blue Turns To Grey
One from the Immediate Pop songbook. The Stones could do a decent impression of a Kinks track if they wanted.

22. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
Another cover version from the 1965 Hollywood sessions. Somewhat uneventful – maybe this is why some bright spark put crowd noise over the recording and buried the track in the »Got Live If You Want It!« album.

23. My Girl
Some effort was put into this well-arranged performance. They even overdubbed a string arrangement in October 1965. But maybe the time for cover versions had ended by now as it remained unreleased for a while.

24. Off The Hook
The B-side of the »Little Red Rooster« single, and a clear counterpart: The Nanker/Phelge boys try their hand at Merseybeat. Hmm, but why?

25. Suzie Q
Oh dear, those nagging handclaps from the first album make a return on a track that sounds like two bands playing at the same time. Everything is just busy and competitive, and they all get into each other’s way.

plus:
26. As Time Goes By
A demo recording, just Big Jim Sullivan and Mick, from one of those Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra recording sessions. Mick sings the first draft of what would soon become »As Tears Go By«, and it’s fascinating to hear how a few small changes can make all the difference.

Rolling Stones on Decca | 2 |

The way it should be (but you can’t always get what you want, obviously) | PREVIOUS | NEXT

1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (First Version) (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
Album »The Rolling Stones NOW!« • February 1965 • US
2. Tell Me Baby (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10/11, 1964)
4-LP box-set »The Best Of The Rest« • 1983 • Germany
3. It’s All Over Now (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10, 1964)
Single A-side • June 1964 • UK
4. Good Times Bad Times (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, February 2, 1964)
Single B-side • June 1964 • UK

5. Surprise Surprise (recorded Greenford Studios, London, July 21-23, 1964)
released on compilation »Fourteen« • May 1965 • UK

EP »Five By Five« • November 1964 • UK
6. If You Need Me (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964)
7. Empty Heart (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, Juner 11, 1964)
8. 2120 South Michigan Avenue (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964).
9. Confessin’ The Blues (recorded Chess Studios,Chicago, June 11, 1964)
10. Around And Around (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964)

11. Time Is On My Side (Single Version) (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964)
Single A-side • September 1964 • US
12. Congratulations (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 2, 1964)
Single B-side • September 1964 • UK

13. Little Red Rooster (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 1964)
Single A-side • November 1964 • UK

Album »The Rolling Stones No. 2« • January 1965 • UK
14. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (Album Version) (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
15. Down Home Girl (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
16. You Can’t Catch Me (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 28/29 1964)
17. Time Is On My Side (Album Version) (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, November 8, 1964)
18. What A Shame) (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, November 8, 1964)
19. Grown Up Wrong (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 28/29, 1964)
Album »12×5« • October 1964 • US
20. Down The Road Apiece (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10/11, 1964)
21. Under The Boardwalk (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 2, 1964)
Album »12×5« • October 1964 • US
22. I Can’t Be Satisfied (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10, 1964)
23. Pain In My Heart (recorded RCA Studios,Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
24. Off The Hook (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 2, 1964)
Single B-side »Little Red Rooster« • November 1964 • UK
25. Suzie Q (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 28/29, 1964)

26. As Time Goes By (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, February 25, 1964)
unreleased

When The Rolling Stones’ second album was released in the UK in January 1965, their image as the bad boys of Beat Music was well and truly established. Manager Andrew Loog Oldham’s liner notes played on this with Clockwork Orange-style menace: »See that blind man, knock him on the head, steal his wallet… if you put in the boot, good.« In David Bailey’s cover photo they look stylish and a bit threatening at the same time. But those Ivy League suits also hint at the fact that they weren’t yet the guitar band of later years – the Stones at this point in time are a pretty competent blues and soul band. (Yes, they could have been The Style Council…)

And again with a wealth of material, we start with the bonus tracks. 
1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
The shorter alternate take that was used on the »Rolling Stones Now!« album in the States. Great rhythm with lots of tambourine, and some surprisingly modern-sounding guitar fills. Drags on a bit of course, even at three minutes length.

2. Tell Me Baby
Outtake from the June 1964 Chess Studio session. Harmonica solo from Mick over a steady walking beat. Released by mistake on a German box set.

3. It’s All Over Now
With this single The Stones and their sound truly arrive. Snarling vocals, a guitar solo that tries a bit too hard, and THAT rhythm section: Keef, Bill and Charlie.

4. Good Times, Bad Times
Back to Regent Sound in London, and another Mick & Keith ballad, featuring acoustic guitars (Brian on 12-string!) and harmonica. At this point most of the official »Jagger/Richards« compositions were mid-tempo pop tunes.

5. Surprise Surprise
This stomps along nicely. Already released in the US on »The Rolling Stones Now!« album, it was virtually thrown away in Britain on a Decca beat music compilation in mid-1965.

Another nice EP, all tracks recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago, with Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry watching the recording session.

6. If You Need Me
The Stones in a soulful mood, swelling organ and a spoken middle section proving they were a convincing Mod-Soul combo.

7. Empty Heart
Charlie and Bill in full flight on another Nanker/Phelge jam. Sounds as if they’re making it up as they go along, tentative and sloppy backing vocals and all…

8. 2120 South Michigan Avenue
Another studio jam – but this here is really great: everyone knows what they’re doing, and they all seem to be having a lot of fun. Watch out for the complete take on the West-German »Around And Around« compilation which has a guitar solo from Muddy Waters himself (that was cut from all other released versions).

9. Confessin’ The Blues
Bill’s the driving force this time on another cover version. They’re getting really good on this kind of thing.

10. Around And Around
Previous Chuck Berry covers from the Stones often sounded a bit lame, but this really rocks. Featuring Keith doing his Chuck thing better than the man himself.

Time indeed for another single:

11. Time Is On My Side
The first version with Ian Stewart’s organ intro. They still relayed on other people’s songs for A-sides, and obviously loved this song, but this version sounds a little bit rushed; plenty of tambourine recalls the sound of the first album, curiously.

12. Congratulations
Mid-tempo Jagger/Richards song, again mainly acoustic. They are turning into pretty accomplished pop tunesmiths by now, and Chris Farlowe and Cliff Richard would soon take care of this aspect of their work.

The next single – a »real« blues toon!

13. Little Red Rooster
A return to the Blues – and a great showcase for Brian and his slide guitar. A winner, of course.

And then we have the album: »The Rolling Stones No. 2«

14. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
The album version, all five minutes of it. This sounds very dry, and all the better for it (mainly because they got rid of the rattling tambourine…). Drags on a bit (even more…) but Mick comes up with a new vocal idea every few bars and they all chug along merrily.

15. Down Home Girl
The Stones are now confident enough to even use their »bad boys« shtick on cover versions – and here it works. Great lead bass from Bill, and Mick’s on good form, too!

16. You Can’t Catch Me
Chuck Berry again: while the band is rocking relentlessly, Mick seems to be struggling with the lyrics – it all sounds as if he’s reading from a script.

17. Time Is On My Side
Recorded five months after the single version, they’ve worked on the arrangement, and all the better for it. Added solo guitar and proper backing vocals really improve the song, and the wide stereo mix features Charlie’s drums! Has a proper ending, and that’s always a good sign.

18. What A Shame
Mick and Keith finally write »a Stones song«. This rocks and rolls in a soon-to-be-familiar way. The secret highlight of the album. (Very unnecessary piano tinkling in the background, unfortunately – which would be a recurring nuisance in the Stones’ recording history for the next 60 years.)

19. Grown Up Wrong
…whereas they’re again paying tribute to the American R&B songbook here. Though it outstays its welcome after the first verse, I’m afraid.

20. Down The Road Apiece
Here they are in bar band-mode with a rather pedestrian cover version of yet another »road« song. Gets more energetic and rocking towards the end with powerful guitar playing.

21. Under The Boardwalk
A nice arrangement, and proper singing from Mick. But those backing vocals: the Rolling Stones are certainly not The Four Seasons in the vocal harmony department!. Brian’s fine 12-string solo restores some dignity.

22. I Can’t Be Satisfied
Again, a very fine arrangement, fabulously recorded (listen to Charlie, and Bill’s inventive bass!), resulting in probably their best Chess cover.

23. Pain In My Heart
A soulful cover – nothing special, but Mick really shines on this one.

24. Off The Hook
The B-side of the »Little Red Rooster« single, and a clear counterpart: The Nanker/Phelge boys try their hand at Merseybeat. Hmm, but why?

25. Suzie Q
Oh dear, those nagging handclaps from the first album make a return on a track that sounds like two bands playing at the same time. Everything is just busy and competitive, and they all get into each other’s way.

plus:
26. As Time Goes By
A demo recording, just Big Jim Sullivan and Mick, from one of those Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra recording sessions. Mick sings the first draft of what would soon become »As Tears Go By«, and it’s fascinating to hear how a few small changes can make all the difference.

Rolling Stones on Decca

The way it should be (but you can’t always get what you want, obviously) | NEXT

1. Come On (recorded Olympic Studios, London, May 10, 1963)
Single A-side • June 1963 • UK
2. I Want To Be Loved (recorded Olympic Studios, London, May 10, 1963)
Single B-side • June 1963 • UK
3. Poison Ivy (recorded Decca Studios, London, August 16-17, 1963)
Single A-side • CANCELLED
released on compilation »Saturday Club« • January 1964 • UK
4. Fortune Teller (recorded Decca Studios, London, August 16-17, 1963)
Single B-side • CANCELLED
released on compilation »Saturday Club« • January 1964 • UK
5. I Wanna Be Your Man (recorded DeLane Lea Studios, London, October 7, 1963)
Single A-side • November 1963 • UK
6. Stoned (recorded DeLane Lea Studios, London, October 7, 1963)
Single B-side • November 1963 • UK

EP »The Rolling Stones« • January 1964 • UK
7. Bye Bye Johnny (recorded DeLane Lea Studios, London, November 14, 1963).
8. Money (recorded DeLane Lea Studios, London, November 14, 1963)
9. You Better Move On (recorded DeLane Lea Studios, London, November 14, 1963)
10. Poison Ivy (new version recorded DeLane Lea Studios, London, November 14, 1963)

11. Not Fade Away (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 10, 1964)
Single A-side • February 1964 • UK

Album »The Rolling Stones« • April 1964 • UK
12. (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 3, 1964)
13. I Just Want To Make Love To You (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 1964)
14. Honest I Do (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 1964)
15. I Need You Baby (Mona) (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 3, 1964)
16. Now I’ve Got A Witness (Like Uncle Phil & Uncle Gene) (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 4, 1964)
17. Little By Little (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, February 2, 1964)
Single B-side (»Not Fade Away«) • February 1964 • UK
18. I’m A King Bee (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 1964)
19. Carol (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 3, 1964)
20. Tell Me (You’re Coming Back Again) (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 1964)
21. Can I Get A Witness (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, February 4, 1964)
22. You Can Make It If You Try (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 1964)
23. Walking The Dog (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, January 1964)

24. Kellog’s Rice Crispies (recorded TV Star Sound Studios, London, April/May 1964)
Advertisement jingle • UK

On June 7, 1963, the NME reviewed the first single from a new band: »A song and a performance aimed straight at the current market for groups. Good chance of selling well.« It was »Come On« from The Rolling Stones. Melody Maker wasn’t quite convinced – at the time of the first album they wrote: »The singer favours the hit-and-miss method when aiming for a note. And the drumming is the antithesis of swing. The Stones can keep on rolling – straight past my grammophone!«

Well well well – let’s see what we’ve got here actually.
And to keep some sense of order we start with the bonus tracks. 

That debut single was released in June 1963.
1. Come On
With its bumbling bass and choppy rhythm, this has an almost Bluebeat feel and it skanks along nicely. Wayling harmonica, but there’s not a lot to remind one of those »dangerous« Stones.
2. I Want To Be Loved
This has more of the Chicago sound that these young guys talked about in interviews a lot. Great drum sound, and a real harmonica solo over chugging beats.

A second single was scheduled, and eventually cancelled at the last minute. Whoever thought of playing it safe with a few pop tunes must have realised that these Londoners weren’t the new Gerry & The Pacemakers. Both tracks ended up on a Decca »Saturday Club« compilation. Where they belonged.
3. Poison Ivy
Clearly a stab at a pop hit – backing vocals and a murky sound probably was the producers’ idea of a chart record (my, they even do some »la-la-la« over the fade out!).
4. Fortune Teller
Introducing the tambourine. Brian and Bill again do their best on vocal harmonies. Again, it’s all a bit polite and calculated. And they repeat the last verse (the one with the punch line) – they obviously didn’t care much about songwriting at this point.

November 1963, second single, and the Stones finally arrive.
5. I Wanna Be Your Man
This is more like it. Apparently Brian Jones had the idea to »try some slide guitar« when Lennon and McCartney had barely showed them how the tune went. This rocks, and the slide transforms this throwaway pop ditty into a proper Stones rocker. Great bass line from Bill, too.
6. Stoned
Rosy-faced London boys do their best impression of a jam at Chess Studios. Introducing the first guitar solo on a Stones track, and some tinkling piano from Stu.

Released in January 1964, a four-track EP is next – a dry run for an album.
7. Bye Bye Johnny
Another Chuck Berry cover. This could have come from virtually any of the beat groups around at the time. Nothing special, but a fine driving opener nonetheless.
8. Money
This is not very good. Doing a Motown cover in Chicago style may have been a clever idea, but the woozy production doesn’t help, and the backing vocals sound like they came from the room upstairs…
9. You Better Move On
They give up trying, and finally do a straight pop record – and a very good one. Everything works just fine. and Mick is finally singing a melody instead of trying to sound like a 40-year old blues man.
10. Poison Ivy (new version)
Second try – and this is more like it. Rocks a lot, with snappy little licks from the guitars, and a fab ending from Charlie.

Two songs from the album sessions are issued as the third single in February – with Phil Spector credited as co-composed on »Little By Little« on the flip.
11. Not Fade Away
Straight Buddy Holly cover, enhanced by handclaps and harmonica, and everyone seems to enjoy that Bo Diddley beat.

And finally: the album, released in April 1964 with a fabulous cover – just the five young men in dramatic shadows, and no name or album title whatsoever.
12. (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66
Chugging opener that rocks along nicely over Bill’s great bass line. Mick sounds like he’s singing a dictionary, though (maybe he’s concentrating too much on his insistent handclapping…).
13. I Just Want To Make Love To You
More of the same. And more of those (uncalled for) handclaps! But the Stones seem to have found their sound now – Chess Studios via Denmark Street, probably. (Comes with another lazy fade-out.)
14. Honest I Do
A ballad. Great production and sound accidentally: you can hear every note from the guitars, the bass and Charlie’s mighty toms. Chilly harmonica with slight echo effect this time.
15. I Need You Baby (Mona)
Proper note-for-note Bo Diddley cover. Mick tries to sound sinister, but fails. The guitar solo tries to copy Bo – and fails, too. No maracas (where’s Jerome?), but those bloody handclaps again!
16. Now I’ve Got A Witness (Like Uncle Phil & Uncle Gene)
Stu on electric organ! This is most likely just a studio jam – but a nice one. Everyone knows what they’re doing, especially Bill!
17. Little By Little
Gene Pitney on piano in the background. Keith does his best to come up with a guitar solo, and everything trucks on quite well. And Mick’s snarl actually sounds appropriate for a change.
18. I’m A King Bee
Back to Chicago – stinging guitar licks over a big rumbling bass line.
19. Carol
Finally, a successful Chuck Berry cover. Sharp guitar. like it should be. Those handclaps are a bit difficult to follow – they can’t decide if they’re on the beat or slightly behind. Idiotic fade-out (I’m pretty sure Charlie had a proper drum roll ready…)
20. Tell Me (You’re Coming Back Again)
The first proper Keith & Mick composition – and it’s a bloody pop ballad, surprisingly. Keith wails a bit in the background (instead of the established Bill & Brian vocal team). Jangling guitar solo; and then they spoil everything with an overlong ending that drags on and on.
21. Can I Get A Witness
Stu leads the band on piano. They all know their Chicago licks by now, and although it’s nothing special, they all seem to have a lot of fun.
22. You Can Make It If You Try
Another stab at a pop ballad, including swelling organ, harmony vocals, the lot. And are The Stones really singing »sha-la-la« here??
23. Walking The Dog
The annoying handclaps are back in another nice cover version. But – I know it’s a silly Rufus Thomas song, but aren’t they overplaying the bit with the dog whistles? Great guitar, fortunately.

Album liner notes by Andrew Loog Oldham: »The Stones have their fingers on the pulse of pop music success – that its public buys SOUND, and the sound is what they give you.« Interesting idea, and it’s probably the sound of the album that impresses the most – here are five young guys playing the music they like, and they’re enjoying it. Unlike with debut LPs from The Kinks, The Who or The Beatles, there’s no songwriter genius among the cover versions, but it doesn’t matter – they obviously know by now that they’re good at what they’re doing.

P.S.
24. Kellog’s Rice Crispies
The band also composed and recorded a commercial for Kellog’s Rice Crispies that’s better than some of the album tracks…