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Rolling Stones songs: Gunface
GUNFACE: THE STONES AT THEIR GRITTIEST When Bridges to Babylon landed, Gunface hit like a sucker punch. Mick’s snarling vocals spill jealousy, rage, and danger, painting a picture of a lover pushed way too far. With riffs that bite, bass that growls, and a story straight out of a twisted noir flick, the track feels raw and threatening in all the best ways. It’s the Stones leaning hard into their darker side—and loving every second of it.
Your tongue lickin’ way out of place/ I’ll rip it out/ I’ll stick a gun in your face/ You’ll pay with your life…
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Ocean Way Recording Studios, Hollywood, USA, March 13-July 1997 Guest musicians: Danny Saber (electric guitar, bass and keyboards), Jim Keltner (percussion) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
When Bridges to Babylon dropped, Gunface stood out for its punch and grit. Mick Jagger spits out lines like “I taught her everything…I taught her how to dream…I’m gonna teach her how to scream”—lyrics dripping with jealousy and rage. The song tells the story of a betrayed lover, ready to disappear without a trace, but not before pointing a gun at his girlfriend’s new guy. It’s raw, obvious, and totally unsettling—just the way the Stones like to flirt with danger.
Musically, the track is just as sharp as its theme. Ronnie Wood’s slide guitar cuts through like a blade, while Mick and Keith layer extra guitar textures on top. Charlie Watts drives it steady on drums, with none other than Jim Keltner adding spicy percussive touches—shaker, congas, maracas—giving the whole thing an ominous groove. The end result is a song that feels both funky and threatening, with Jagger’s vocal pushing it all over the edge.
Behind the Studio Doors
Part of what makes Gunface unique is the way it was put together. Produced by Danny Saber and John X Volaitis (of Black Grape fame), the track leaned hard into the Stones’ late-90s experimentation. Saber wasn’t just behind the console—he played bass, guitar, and even those computerized keyboards that give the song its dark funk feel.
The recording sessions were something of a juggling act. Three different studios in the same building were used at once—Keith laying down overdubs in one room while Mick played piano in another. That setup gave the band focus and speed, letting the song evolve in real time. There’s even a bootleg version floating around with a longer remix, but sadly, Gunface never made it to the stage.
Funk, Fire, and a Dark Groove
Gunface kicks off with drums that might nod to Stevie Wonder’s Superstition, but Charlie Watts quickly makes the groove his own. He’s locked in, with Jim Keltner spicing things up on shaker, congas, and maracas, stacking the rhythm high.
Over that killer foundation, Danny Saber steps in as the track’s secret weapon—laying down a thick, funky bass, tossing in guitar, and even sneaking in some synth pads and electronic effects. The keyboards might feel a little out of the Stones’ comfort zone, but they add a jagged edge to the mix.
Then the guitars start to snarl. Keith (or maybe Mick) fires off riffs dripping with delay, while Ronnie Wood waits until bar twenty-four to make his move—first teasing with short slides and fingerpicked phrases, then exploding into a distorted solo on his Zemaitis. And through it all, Mick Jagger delivers a confident, soulful vocal that ties the chaos together.
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