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Rolling Stones songs: Hide Your Love
STONES GETTING LOOSE WITH HIDE YOUR LOVE Hide Your Love is the Rolling Stones just messing around in the studio and having fun. Jagger tries out piano for the first time, giving the track a raw, spontaneous feel, while Mick Taylor rips fiery guitar solos. Keith Richards switches it up on bass, and Charlie Watts keeps it tight but chill. Add some congas sneaking in during solos, and you’ve got a playful, off-the-cuff blues jam that’s totally unpolished but full of character.
Oh, been a sick man, I wanna cry/ Lord, I’m a drunk man, but now I’m dry…
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Dynamic Sounds Studios, Kingston Jamaica, Nov. 25-Dec. 21 1972; Olympic Sound, Studios, London, England, June 1973 Guest musicians: Bobby Keys (tenor saxophone) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
Hide Your Love, often considered one of the less polished tracks from the Goats Head Soup sessions, captures the Rolling Stones in a rare moment of experimentation. Likely originating from the summer 1970 sessions before Exile on Main St., the track features Mick Jagger on piano for the very first time on a Stones recording, giving it an outtake-like, spontaneous vibe. Mick Taylor injects fiery lead guitar lines, while Keith Richards plays bass in a surprisingly guitar-like style. Charlie Watts keeps the rhythm understated but precise, with subtle hi-hat, snare, and bass drum work, while congas, probably by Rebop, accent Taylor’s solos.
Jagger’s vocals are intentionally delayed, emphasizing the blues feel and conveying the energy of a live take rather than a flawless studio performance. The lyrics, sharp and witty in true Stones fashion, tell the story of a woman hiding her love from a melancholic, drinking-prone partner. Despite a somewhat weak ending, the track embodies raw creativity and showcases the band exploring new textures and ideas.
Sessions, Alternate Versions, and Chaos
The song was revisited in London, producing an alternate version with more prominent guitar work. The Goats Head Soup sessions were also marred by external pressures: in December 1970, French authorities threatened extradition over drug use at a villa. To safeguard upcoming tours, Jagger, Taylor, Watts, and Wyman traveled to France to defend themselves, while Keith Richards, Anita Pallenberg, and Bobby Keys remained in Jamaica and were issued arrest warrants. Despite these distractions, the band’s focus on their craft never entirely wavered, allowing for flashes of brilliance even on a track that critics often dismiss.
Musicianship and Individual Contributions
Both Andy Johns and Mick Taylor expressed appreciation for the track, highlighting Taylor’s exceptional lead guitar work and the interplay with Richards’ inventive bass. Jagger’s piano, though unpolished compared to Ian Stewart or Nicky Hopkins, holds its own, adding color to the arrangement. Bobby Keys’ sax lines, unfortunately under-mixed, still add subtle texture, while the rhythm section anchors the track with understated precision. Hide Your Love stands as a snapshot of the Stones’ willingness to experiment, blending humor, blues, and spontaneity amid challenging circumstances, and remains a fascinating listen for fans intrigued by the band’s creative process.
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