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Before The Rolling Stones became a global force, they were young blues devotees desperate to get a song—any song—on vinyl. Stoned, released in late 1963 as the B-side to their cover of I Wanna Be Your Man, was the result. Credited to the band pseudonym “Nanker-Phelge” the track was less a polished composition than a loose studio jam. Built on a slow 12-bar blues groove, it features Mick Jagger muttering surreal fragments like “Where am I at?”and the occasional drifting “stoned,” all drenched in heavy echo. Rough guitars, a lazy shuffle, and hazy atmosphere give it a charm that’s more accidental than deliberate. Though often compared to Booker T.’s Green Onions, the Stones’ version moves slower and feels more like a late-night experiment than a direct imitation.
Want the full version with recording details, song background, history, trivia, and more? Unlock the full wild story behind Stoned—full details inside. The Rolling Stones Get ‘Stoned’ in 1963
The Nanker-Phelge Origin Story
The pseudonym “Nanker-Phelge” came from the band’s in-jokes: “nanker” referred to the goofy faces they made, while “Phelge” honored their roommate Jimmy Phelge, notorious for wearing grimy underwear on his head. Seeing his name printed on the B-side label reportedly amused him as much as the band.
Why Stoned Stayed in the Shadows
Although briefly considered for their U.S. debut, Stonedwas swapped out for Not Fade Away—likely because releasing a track called Stoned with vocals that sound suspiciously stoned wasn’t the ideal first impression. Still, the song remains a strange early gem, a collectible oddity, and a glimpse of the band before their swagger solidified.
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