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I was standing by the bridges/ Where the dark water flows…
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Ocean Way Recording Studios, Hollywood, USA, March 13-July 1997 Guest musicians: Waddy Wachtel (guitar), Danny Saber (bass and clavinet), Don Was (piano), Jim Keltner (percussion), Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards), Blondie Chaplin and Bernard Fowler (backing vocals) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
“Out of Control” was largely inspired by the bass line of “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” a composition by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Temptations. It is also one of the best tracks on Bridges to Babylon. Who is the character embodied by Mick Jagger in the song? The solitary individual is strolling by a bridge spanning dark waters and talking to a stranger about times gone by. And he remembers: I was young/I was foolish. Now he describes himself as out of control, and appeals for help…
So who is he? A rock star fallen from grace? A condemned man? (This seems possible in view of the police pointing him to his final destination) Just like the lyrics, the musical atmosphere of “Out of Control” is strange and oppressive, with a harmonica part that recalls the best passage on “Gimme Shelter.” This song was chosen as the A-side of the third single from Bridges to Babylon. It peaked at number 51 on the British charts in August 1998 (with the Radio Edit as the B-side).
The bass is not the only aspect of “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” to have inspired the Glimmer Twins in the verses of “Out of Control.” Jagger is on wah-wah guitar, and flings out disembodied chords just like those in the Temptations number. Furthermore, in addition to the rhythm, which is also similar, the Stones singer goes as far as to reproduce the beginning of the trumpet theme on the harmonica, at precisely 2:47 (0:32 on “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”). This is a witty allusion that demonstrates how much Mick must have liked the Motown hit. Moving beyond this pastiche, the rest of his harmonica part is also superb, especially the closing solo (4:06), with a sound and phrasing that mark Jagger as one of the best harmonica players in all of rock.
The refrains, meanwhile, bear the stamp of the Stones, and the entire band pulls out all the stops to support Jagger as he howls Now I’m out of control, with Keith, Ronnie, and Waddy Wachtel on distorted, ill-tempered guitars, the latter apparently also playing a number of solo passages. With an excellent rhythm section, keyboards that are very prominent without being intrusive, and effective support from the backing vocals, “Out of Control” is one of the triumphs of the album.
