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Rolling Stones songs: Brown Sugar (alternate version)
Now I bet your mama was a tent show queen/ And all her boyfriends were sweet sixteen…
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Mobile Recording Unit, Stargroves (Mick Jagger’s house), Newbury and Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, Oct. 17-Nov. 2 1970 Guest musicians: Bobby Keys (sax), Eric Clapton and Al Kooper (guitar) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton: A 1970 Take of Brown Sugar
In late 1970, during sessions that would shape their classic Sticky Fingers album, The Rolling Stones teamed up with Eric Clapton for an alternate version of Brown Sugar. This rare collaboration was recorded between October 17 and November 2, 1970, using the Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Unit at Stargroves, Mick Jagger’s country estate in Newbury, as well as at Olympic Sound Studios in London.
Clapton, already a guitar legend by that time, added his signature bluesy flair to the track, bringing a distinct vibe to the Stones’ already explosive sound. Though this version didn’t make the final album cut, it remains a fascinating piece of rock history, showcasing a unique musical crossover between two of the genre’s titans.
How Mick Jagger Created the Iconic ‘Brown Sugar’ Riff
While filming Ned Kelly in Australia under director Tony Richardson, Mick Jagger—despite a minor hand injury—came up with the opening lines and signature guitar riff for Brown Sugar. Keith Richards praised the riff, admitting, “That one’s Mick’s. I’ll tip my hat—he nailed it. I just cleaned it up a bit.”
Writing the Lyrics at Muscle Shoals
Jagger completed the lyrics at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama. Session pianist Jim Dickinson was stunned by the speed and ease with which Jagger wrote the verses—filling up three pages on a legal pad in under an hour before the band began recording. While the lyrics may seem to reflect America’s brutal history of slavery, Jagger layered the song with double meanings—like many blues artists before him. The song’s original title, Black Pussy, hinted directly at its controversial content.
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