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honky tonk women
About Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones
She blew my nose and then she blew my mind…
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, May 12-June 8 1969 Guest musicians: Jimmy Miller (cowbell), Nanette Newman (backing vocals), Steve Gregory and Bud Beadle (horns)/Johnny Almond (horns-arranger), Reparata & The Delrons (backing vocals, unconfirmed) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
With Brian Jones’ contributions diminishing and a tour looming, the Stones faced a tough decision about his future involvement. Brian expressed his dislike for touring to Mick Jagger, and the band even contemplated replacing him with Eric Clapton for the Memphis Blues Festival in March 1969. Brian had previously hinted at wanting to leave due to his dissatisfaction with the band’s heavier sound. Seeking a replacement, Ian Stewart recommended Mick Taylor from John Mayall’s band. A brief session in May 1969 convinced the Stones of Mick Taylor’s talent, solidifying his role as a new guitarist. One of the first songs he played on was Honky Tonk Women.
The intro to the song starts with Jimmy Miller on the cowbell, followed by Charlie Watts on drums and Keith Richards with the iconic guitar riff. This song showcases the band’s exceptional rhythmic skills and remains unmatched as a single. The released version features piano by Ian Stewart and background brass, but the identity of the brass players remains a mystery. Some speculate it could be Jim Horn (collaborating with Leon Russell) or Bobby Keys and Jim Price (known for playing with Delaney & Bonnie) Interestingly, Jimmy Miller produced Delaney & Bonnie’s live album with Eric Clapton (recorded in December 1969), engineered by Glyn Johns and Andy Johns. Honky Tonk Women itself was written after Jagger and Richards came up with “Country Honk” (actually a electric, blues-rock version of the song, all inspired by Hank Williams’ Honky Tonk Blues) during their time in Matao, a city in the countryside of the Sao Paulo state, Brazil, in December 1968-January 1969.
Although never confirmed, some early versions of the song might have featured Brian Jones, but Mick Taylor took over on guitar for the final recording. A discarded verse focused on Paris instead of the released New York-based story. The song leaned heavily on Southern blues with Mick Jagger’s drawl singing style. Interestingly, Ry Cooder, present during early sessions, claimed to have written the opening chords, creating tension with Keith Richards (credited writer). While Richards denies direct copying, Cooder’s open guitar tuning book likely served as inspiration.
In contrast, Charlie Watts’ drumming, combined with the masterful production of Jimmy Miller and Glyn Johns, is lauded for its originality and impact. It provided the perfect groove for the band to unleash their energy, resulting in a phenomenal dance track. This sentiment resonated with audiences, propelling the song to worldwide #1 status. It was after this success, with the confidence of a classic single under their belt, that Mick, Keith, and Charlie met Brian at his house to address his future with the band.
Honky Tonk Women, like many Rolling Stones songs, flirts with suggestive themes without crossing the line for radio censorship. British rock bands often mastered the art of ambiguity, crafting lyrics that pushed boundaries but stayed within BBC airplay guidelines. Take the line, “She blew my nose and then she blew my mind.” This suggestive phrase hints at both drug use and sex, yet avoids explicit language that would warrant a ban. The song itself follows Jagger’s encounters with two different women: “a gin-soaked, bar-room queen in Memphis” (implying a possible sex worker) and a “divorcée in New York City.” In true rockstar fashion, Jagger even used to introduce the song as a shoutout to “all the whores in the audience.”
The Rolling Stones released their single Honky Tonk Women (backed with “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”) in the UK on July 4, 1969. This date came just a day before their Hyde Park concert, a tribute performance held in memory of their former bandmate Brian Jones where they played the song before an audience for the first time ever.
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