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In 1977 during sessions in a French studioStart Me Upemerged not as the explosive rock powerhouse fans know today, but as a relaxed reggae experiment. Producer Chris Kimsey recalled the groove feeling cool yet strangely incomplete, leading the band to shelve it and move on. Years later, while shaping Tattoo You in 1981, the Stones revisited their vault of unused recordings. Hidden among dozens of reggae takes was a discarded version stripped of its island rhythm, revealing a raw, electrifying spark. Once reimagined with Keith Richards’ sharp guitar riff, Charlie Watts’ driving beat, and Mick Jagger’s swaggering delivery, the track transformed into a stadium-ready anthem.
According to Keith Richards, the rock version surfaced almost by accident during a break between reggae takes, then vanished into the archives until rediscovered years later. A few overdubs turned it into one of the band’s most iconic openers, showcasing the Stones’ improvisational magic and deep well of unreleased material.
A Collaborative Creation
Ronnie Wood later suggested Mick Jagger may have brought the original riff, highlighting the song as a true Jagger–Richards collaboration, blending both their strengths in a rare instant of creative alignment.
Lyrics and MTV Impact
With bold sexual metaphors and roaring delivery, the song marked a powerful comeback in 1981, boosted further by a simple yet perfectly timed MTV video that introduced the band to a new generation.
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