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Rolling Stones songs: Back to Zero
It’s a monkey living on my back/ I can feel my spine begin to crack…
Written by: Jagger/Richards/Leavell Recorded: RPM Studios, NYC, USA, July 16-Aug. 17 – Sept. 10-Oct. 15; Right Track Studios, NYC, USA, Nov. 5-Dec. 15 1985 Guest musicians: Bobby Womack (guitar), Dan Collette (trumpet), Chuck Leavell (synthesizer), Anton Fig (shakers) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
Even with Mikhail Gorbachev’s rise to power in the Soviet Union in the mid-eighties, marked by his announcements of troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and the introduction of policies like perestroika and glasnost, the global landscape remained firmly divided into two opposing blocs. The Cold War persisted as a tangible reality. The song Back to Zero can thus be viewed as a cautionary message regarding the looming threat of nuclear conflict and its catastrophic potential for the planet. Over twenty years after Bob Dylan’s A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall Mick Jagger now expresses concerns about the world that future generations fearing a nuclear war, particularly his grandchildren, will inherit. Alternatively, the lyrics may symbolize his desire for a shift in his artistic approach. Regardless of the interpretation, Back to Zero has never been performed live by the Rolling Stones.
Change is a constant, even for the Rolling Stones. Notably, Chuck Leavell was recognized as a co-writer of Back to Zero sharing this credit with the Glimmer Twins. This marked a significant milestone, as no one outside their core group had ever been given such recognition before, not even Bill Wyman, who, interestingly, does not contribute bass to this track. Instead, the bass line is crafted using a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, which also provides the timbale part, and is complemented by a live bass guitar. This time, the bass is likely played by the talented John Regan, who also performed on Mick Jagger and David Bowie’s cover of Dancing in the Street recorded in June. This collaboration showcases the evolving dynamics within the band and highlights the contributions of new talent.
While it attempts to capture a funk vibe, it falls short compared to the genre’s finest examples, primarily due to its synth-heavy sound—which comes off as metallic, cold, and lacking in warmth, characteristics that Keith Richards particularly detests. The contributions of Philippe Saisse on synthesizer, Dan Collette on trumpet during the coda, and Anton Fig, who likely handles the percussion (including tambourine, congas, and maracas), are undeniably skilled, but they don’t align with the essence of the Rolling Stones’ music; their style diverges significantly. Fortunately, the track features plenty of guitar work, delivering a much-needed funky flair, with contributions from Keith Richards, Ron Wood, and Bobby Womack. However, Mick Jagger’s vocals remain in the same strained register as before, reflecting the challenges he faces in delivering this material.
Alongside Winning Ugly, Back to Zero was one of the two tracks that Mick Jagger penned for the album Dirty Work. This marked a significant shift in Jagger’s career, as it was the first instance where the Rolling Stones were not his primary focus. Frustrated with the band dynamics, he directed his energy toward promoting his 1985 solo album, She’s The Boss. This change reflected a growing tension within the group and highlighted Jagger’s desire to carve out his own artistic path during that period.
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