The Rolling Stones Tackle ‘Honey What’s Wrong’ (1963)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on July 28, 2025

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Rolling Stones songs: Honey What’s Wrong?

Also known as: Baby What’s Wrong?
Written by: Jimmy Reed/Mary Lee Reed
Recorded: IBC Studios, London, England, March 11 1963

From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012:
This track wraps up the Stones’ first recording session. The IBC sessions, although now famous and much sought after, were considered as a whole far too rough for a commercial release, much to the band’s disappointment. Honey What’s Wrong is a mendearing-type song and harmonies inspired by Keith Richards leave a lot to be desired. The mix of pop vocals with R&B lead guitar and harmonica did not quite mix. The band were particularly critical of the lack of bass in the mix and wanted the tracks re-cut. This did not happen. a 10-inch acetate of the five tracks was sold by a friend of Brian Jones at an auction in April 1993.

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More about The Rolling Stones’ version of Honey What’s Wrong?

*By Marcelo Sonaglioni

rolling stones songs honey what's wrong 1963

The Rolling Stones and the Raw Blues of Honey What’s Wrong?

Before fame, big tours, and global recognition, The Rolling Stones were just a hungry young band trying to lay down their sound. One of their earliest attempts to bottle that bluesy energy came on March 11, 1963, at IBC Studios in London. Among the handful of tracks cut that day was a gritty little number called Honey What’s Wrong? (also known as Baby, What’s Wrong?), originally written by Jimmy Reed and his wife Mary Lee.

The session itself was rough, raw, and full of the kind of growing pains you’d expect from a new band still finding its groove. The Stones, already serious about their craft, weren’t thrilled with the outcome. The mix lacked bass, the harmonies were shaky—especially Keith Richards’ contributions—and the attempt to blend pop-style vocals with R&B guitar and harmonica felt forced. Still, this was their first real step into a studio, and that means something. Despite their dissatisfaction, the band didn’t get a do-over. Those takes, flaws and all, became a part of their early history. And while the session was initially shelved, a 10-inch acetate survived and later resurfaced in 1993 through a friend of Brian Jones, selling at auction.

From Dusty Tape to Deluxe Release

It took nearly 50 years, but Honey What’s Wrong? finally got its due. In 2012, it was officially released in the deluxe edition of Grrr, giving fans a chance to hear the Stones’ earliest struggles and sparks of promise. It’s far from perfect, but that’s part of its charm. It captures the raw ambition of a band on the edge of something big—flawed, loud, and full of fight.

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