The Rolling Stones and the Journey of ‘If You Need Me’

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on November 23, 2025

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rolling stones songs if you need me 1964

A Song With Many Lives

The story behind If You Need Me stretches across writers, labels, chart rivalries, and a pivotal Rolling Stones recording. Written in 1963 by Wilson Pickett, Robert Bateman, and Sonny Sanders, the song first found its way to Atlantic through Pickett’s demo. Jerry Wexler loved the melody but handed it to Solomon Burke, who transformed it into a major R&B hit. Pickett released his own version soon after, though it stalled on the charts, overshadowed by Burke’s powerful rendition. Behind the scenes, disagreements grew over who truly brought the song forward—yet both artists championed each other, even competing in Billboard reviews and radio airplay.

Want the full version with recording details, song background, history, trivia, and more? Dive deeper into studio dynamics, rivalries, and rare session stories inside.
The Rolling Stones’ Soulful Take of ‘If You Need Me’ (1964)

Behind the Song’s Origins

Before his Columbia and Atlantic triumphs, Pickett was already shaping soul history with the Falcons and his early Double L releases. His collaboration with Bateman and Sanders fused Detroit craft with gospel emotion, laying the foundation for the song’s lasting impact.

A Chart Rivalry Told Twice

As radio figures pushed Pickett’s version, Wexler rushed Burke’s to market. The result? A rare moment when both recordings appeared simultaneously in Billboard features—cementing the song as a defining crossroads in early ’60s soul.

The Stones Step Into Chicago

In 1964 the Rolling Stones entered Chess Studios and reimagined If You Need Me. With Ian Stewart’s Hammond B-3, Keith Richards’ and Brian Jones’ layered guitars, Mick Jagger’s sermon-like delivery, and Charlie Watts’ tight groove, their cover injected vibrant R&B energy while honoring the song’s gospel roots.

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