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Rolling Stones songs: Criss Cross
Also known as: Criss-Cross Man ; Save Me Written by: Jagger/Richard/Taylor Recorded: Dynamic Sound Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, Nov. 25-Dec. 21 1972; Island Recording Studios, London, June 1973, Mick Jagger’s home studio, Pocé-sur-Cisse, France, Apr. 2020
Mick Jagger: vocals Keith Richards: guitar Mick Taylor: bass Charlie Watts: drums Guest musicians: Billy Preston (keyboards), Bobby Keys (saxophone), Jim Keltner, Jimmy Miller, Rebop or Pascal (percussion; unconfirmed)
Long before its official release Criss Cross had the restless energy of a song that refused to stay buried. Fans who had followed the Rolling Stones for decades knew countless outtakes and fragments existed in the band’s archives, but few expected this particular track to rise from the shadows in 2020 and instantly ignite global excitement. When the band finally unveiled it on July 9 through YouTube—after a quiet tease on Twitter—the reaction was immediate: a worldwide jolt of dancing feet, clapping hands, and delighted disbelief.
What struck listeners most wasn’t simply that it was new; it was that it sounded unmistakably vintage. The riff carried Keith Richards’ swaggering stamp, and Mick Jagger’s vocals moved with a sly sensuality, weaving intimate lines like “Lip to lip, skin to skin”into the groove. It felt like a portal leading directly back to the Stones’ golden era, full of tension, pleasure, and pure rock ’n’ roll confidence.
A sensual journey on film
Before diving into how the song was crafted, the striking video that accompanied Criss Cross deserves equal attention. Directed by Diana Kunst—known for her visually daring work—this short film elevated the song into something dreamlike. Model Guindilla Ontanaya appears in shifting backdrops that sweep from glowing coastlines to the pulse of central London, all the way to the monumental landscapes of the American Southwest. The imagery leans heavily into heat, touch, and movement, reinforcing the track’s sensual heartbeat. Every shot glimmers with cinematic ambition, blending fashion, fantasy, and road-movie grit. The result is a miniature world tour stitched together by texture and emotion, adding a shimmering visual identity to a song that already oozes its own brand of allure.
Craftsmanship behind the groove
Strangely enough, the polished confidence of Criss Cross masks a messy and fascinating creative origin. Although the song bears the trademarks of the Jagger/Richards writing partnership, the track also represents a rare reunion: Mick Taylor returned to the fold for the first time since the Exile on Main St. sessions in 1972. His guitar work—fluid, expressive, and subtly fierce—interlocks seamlessly with Richards’ choppy rhythm lines. This interplay contradicts the long-held notion that Taylor was merely a soloist; here, he becomes a structural part of the groove, weaving his tone directly into the song’s backbone. Confusion about who played which instrument only adds to its lore. Jagger himself suggested in an interview that Taylor handled the bass part while he played one of the guitars, teasing fans with yet another unsolved piece of Stones mythology. But whether the precise credits are clear or not, the blend of their styles is undeniable.
The magic of its musical elements
Underneath the songwriting debate sits a thick layer of sonic detail that gives Criss Cross its infectious momentum. Billy Preston’s clavinet—amped up with a pronounced wah-wah effect—charges the track with a funky, almost mischievous pulse. His playing pushes the rhythm forward, adding tension and color that complement the guitars rather than competing with them. Then there’s the brass section: sharp, bright, and strategically placed in the refrains, injecting a sense of lift around the 2:55 mark. A saxophone snakes in shortly afterward, deepening the texture with a smoky late-night feel. As the piece barrels toward its close, Jimmy Miller steps in with a wild, tumbling coda on timbales. It’s an ending that feels simultaneously chaotic and precise, like the final flourish of a band locked into one another’s instincts.
Why it matters now
Interestingly, this vibrant track nearly slipped through the cracks. Although it was once under consideration for the Goats Head Soup album, it was ultimately set aside, possibly to avoid overloading the record with too many rock-driven pieces—or perhaps due to uncertainties around songwriting credits. Looking back, even the band has admitted that shelving it might have been a misstep. Jagger eventually said he couldn’t quite explain why it never made the album. In hindsight, Criss Cross stands as proof that even the Stones’ cast-offs carry a spark many bands would envy. Its 2020 release didn’t just revive an overlooked gem; it reminded listeners of how effortlessly the group can merge sensuality, tension, and groove into something timeless. Whether heard as a rediscovered treasure or a long-delayed celebration, Criss Cross now occupies its rightful place as one of the most thrilling chapters of their archival legacy.
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