The Rolling Stones were about to head out on a world tour that would last for a year. They wanted a release they could tour behind and so Tattoo You was born. Rather than creating a totally brand new album the Stones searched their archives for out takes, abandoned songs and unreleased material. The tracks selected would cover the years 1972-1981 and feature such former contributors as Mick Taylor, Bobby Keys, Billy Preston, Wayne Perkins, and a host of others. Mick Jagger would oversee the re-working and updating of these tracks plus the Stones would cut two new ones for this release. This would not seem to be the best way to create an album but in the case of Tattoo You the results were excellent.
Tattoo You, released August 24, 1981, would become the Stones eighth consecutive, and last, number one album in the United States. It would also sell more copies than any other Stones studio album with the exception of Some Girls.
The opening guitar chords of “Start Me Up,” which lead off the album, immediately show that the rock ‘n’ roll Stones are back and all is well with the universe. This all time modern Rolling Stones classic song had been re-worked from its reggae roots in the Miss You sessions. If ever a song deserved to be a number one hit this was it. Unfortunately, it stalled at number two for three weeks behind “Private Eyes” by Hall & Oates. “Start Me Up” has probably been the opening song for more live Rolling Stones concerts over the last twenty-five years than any other. If you want to hear this song in all its glory just check out the live Flashpoint album.
There were a number of other good to very good songs on the album. “Hang Fire” featured some nice piano from Stu and falsetto vocals from Mick Jagger. “Slave” is a mid-paced song from the Black and Blue sessions and features nice guitar work by Keith Richards and brilliant sax lines from Sonny Rollins. I happen to like “Little T&A.” This is a Keith Richards sung ode to his girlfriend Patti Hanson and basically the title says it all. “Waiting For A Friend” would bring the album to a soulful and peaceful conclusion. This easy flowing track from 1972 would be released as a single and reach number 13.
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
Despite its patched together genesis, this is in some ways the last time the Stones tried to make an album that functioned as an album as opposed to just a collection of few good songs surrounded by filler.
2 - Douglas Mays
Yes, I agree with JC on that one. Overall, Tattoo You is a surprisingly good album. An album functioning as an album....
best,
DM
3 - Rob
A collegiate effort from our heroes. Notables include: No Use in Crying; Worried About You; and Waiting on a Friend.
As with much of the boys catalog, this one gets better with age.
4 - Steve
I'm amazed at how 'Tattoo You' was a reworked, warmed-over outtakes collection - it seemed perfectly conceived as a legitimate album on its own. It works, in spite (because?) of its eclectic nature.