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Rolling Stones songs: Look What the Cat Dragged In
*Click for MORE ROLLING STONES SONGS 1962-PRESENT

Looking at the Sunday papers up with all the latest, it was so quiet…

Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: Studio France, West Indies, Nov- 2004; Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA, March 7-9 and June 6-28 2005
Guest musicians: Darryl Jones (bass), Lenny Castro (percussion)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

From the The Rolling Stones – All the Songs book:
“Look What the Cat Dragged In” is the reproach used by the narrator of this song to his girlfriend, who evidently has a strong inclination toward independence. We are told that she likes to go out drinking, and loves to have a good time… The spurned lover then launches into a litany of criticisms of his partner. Her hair’s all over the place and her breath’s got a horrible taste after she has spent the weekend partying. He is alone in the morning reading the paper about what was happening in Syria and Lebanon. Mick Jagger seems to be venting a great deal of bitterness here. Unless it is simply an example of his irony: the woman out having a good time while the man stays at home, which would perhaps be something out of the ordinary in the world of the Stones…

“Look What the Cat Dragged In” is halfway between dance and rock. It is probably Ronnie who attacks the intro with an initial, cantankerous riff strongly inspired by the 1987 INXS hit “Need You Tonight.” Even the beat is similar, though more spirited in the hands of the Stones. This does not detract in the slightest from the quality of the song, which is an absolute rocket. The second riff (0:06), which introduces the verse melody, possesses an effective oriental color. Mick is on rhythm, and so too is Keith, who gives the impression of crouching in the shadows in order to come to Mick’s assistance when his guitar sound needs bolstering. It is Woody, however, who blows the track apart with his dazzling playing, and his two solos (2:34 and 3:07) are both outstanding. Could A Bigger Bang be said to mark a rebirth of the ex-Face? Charlie also seems to be on an adrenaline drip, such is the power and fury with which he smacks his drums. He is apparently supported on bass by both Mick and Darryl. This is a strange configuration, and it is very difficult to work out who plays what. Lenny Castro is back on percussion (congas and tambourine) and Sir Mick Jagger excels with a supercharged vocal performance, doubling his voice and harmonizing with himself in the backing vocals. It is worth pointing out that there is also an organ part (0:31) that is not credited in the liner notes (0:31)