Rolling Stones songs: Hearts for Sale
*Click for MORE ROLLING STONES SONGS 1962-PRESENT

I don’t need a doctor/ I need a deputation/ You don’t want my loving/ You can just take my resignation…

Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: Air Studios, Montserrat, March 29-Apr. 15 1989; Olympic Sound Studios, May 15-June 29 1989
Guest musicians: Matt Clifford (keyboards), Bernard Fowler (backing vocals)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

From the The Rolling Stones – All the Songs book:
On the face of it, “Hearts for Sale” is a harmless enough song, a blues-rock
number with a heavy beat, like those the Stones had been recording since
their earliest days. Certain phrases merit closer inspection, however,
particularly when the narrator, in reality none other than Mick Jagger,
claims to be The voice of conscience/the voice of reason. Whose are these
Hearts for sale going cheap? Is this an attack on rock star groupies? Or is it
a reflection on the quest for love by any means necessary? It remains a
mystery. “Hearts for Sale” has never been performed live.
Mick Jagger plays a very good introductory riff, drenched in the digital
reverb that was characteristic of the day. He could almost be Jimi Hendrix
warming up! A drier sound then takes over, and “Hearts for Sale” gets into
its cruising rhythm. By now, the Stones singer had mastered the art of the
rhythm guitar accompaniment, and over the course of just a few albums had
developed into a dependable guitarist. Keith supports him on a second
rhythm guitar, and Ron Wood on a third. It is worth underscoring the way in
which Keith now approaches many of his accompaniments, observing
frequent silences in order to allow the song to breathe and all the different
elements to interact. And the proof can be heard in the combination of the
three guitars, each one finding its natural place. Ronnie is also on lead, and
takes a solo at 2:41, most probably on one of his Stratocasters, clear-toned
and colored by strong phasing. The only criticism to be made here is that
that the reverb is a little too intrusive. Matt Clifford is on keyboards and can
be heard creating sound pads to support the harmonies. Steel Wheels is an
album that places an emphasis on the superb work of Bill and Charlie, their
rhythm section constituting one of the undisputed strengths of the band.
Their playing never takes the form of a technical demonstration; it is more a
question of total harmony between the two of them. Moreover, both
drummer and bassist constantly strive to be effective through simplicity—
the most difficult thing to achieve. Mick, meanwhile, has returned to a
simpler style of delivery and also plays a number of absolutely superb
phrases on the harmonica from 4:00. His sound is redolent of the Chicago
blues, and it is just a shame he does not reach for the instrument more often