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Rolling Stones songs: Out of Time
You’re obsolete, my baby/ My poor old-fashioned baby/ I said baby, baby, baby you’re out of time…
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: RCA Studios, Hollywood, USA, March 6-9 1966
Mick Jagger: vocals Keith Richards: rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Brian Jones: marimbas Bill Wyman: bass Charlie Watts: drums Guest musicians: Ian Stewart (organ), Jack Nitzsche (piano) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
Out of Time by The Rolling Stones is more than just a ‘60s pop track—it’s a masterclass in heartbreak, wit, and musical sophistication. The song tells a story of love lost and power reclaimed, capturing a moment when a young woman returns to a former lover only to find that her time has passed. With biting lyrics and emotional honesty, it’s a song that hits as hard as it charms.
Musically, the track blends The Stones’ signature rock sound with Motown-inspired soul, creating a vibrant, irresistible melody that contrasts sharply with its scathing narrative. From Brian Jones’ marimba on the original recording to Chris Farlowe’s chart-topping 1966 cover, Out of Time has proven its versatility and timeless appeal.
Decades later, fans finally experienced the song live during the Stones’ 2022 Sixty tour in Madrid. Its belated stage debut reminds us that great music transcends time, and Out of Time remains as captivating today as it was over 50 years ago.
More about Out of Time by The Rolling Stones
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni
A Bitter Return: Time Waits for No One
There’s a certain poetic cruelty in the passage of time, and Out of Time captures it with unflinching clarity. The song tells the story of a young woman who, after abandoning and betraying her lover, attempts to reclaim what she once discarded. But the moment has already passed, leaving her arrival both belated and futile. Her former partner does not shy away from expressing his emotional reckoning, delivering lines that sting with raw honesty: “You’re obsolete, my baby / My poor old-fashioned baby…” The words aren’t just sharp—they are calculated, a methodical extraction of the pain he endured when she walked away. In its essence, the track is about power reversed: the once-disregarded man now wields authority through emotional truth, and his pointed reminders of her obsolescence transform the song into both confession and retaliation, wrapped in a deceptively catchy musical package.
Musical Charm Meets Emotional Edge
Musically Out of Time balances soul and pop with effortless grace. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards channel the upbeat energy of Motown while embedding a story of heartbreak and scorn, creating a contrast between melody and message that is irresistibly compelling. The track’s lively instrumentation—a rhythmic pulse paired with bright hooks—adds layers to the emotional narrative, making the bitterness and sarcasm all the more poignant. This interplay between a cheerful tune and cutting lyrics is a hallmark of The Stones’ early brilliance: the music draws listeners in, while the story lingers, leaving an aftertaste of regret and vengeance. Over time, the song has proved its versatility, inspiring a variety of covers and recordings that reinterpret its narrative without losing the original’s emotional punch.
Studio Versions and Hidden Gems
The original version recorded for the British release of Aftermath in Los Angeles between March 6–9, 1966, remains a notable example of the band’s creativity in the studio. Brian Jones’ marimba lends an unusual texture to the track, creating an auditory signature that sets it apart from other contemporary recordings. This UK version ran 5:19, longer than the US edit that appeared in 1967 on Flowers. The US version was also later included on More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies) in 1972 and in the 2012 GRRR! super deluxe edition, part of the 80-track version. Additionally, a unique third recording, featuring Jagger’s lead vocals alongside Farlowe’s orchestration, backing vocals, and a new female backing track, appeared on the 1975 rarities album Metamorphosis, released under former Stones manager Allen Klein’s ABKCO Records, who controlled the pre-1971 Stones catalog.
Chris Farlowe’s Version
Chris Farlowe’s take on Out of Time became the most commercially successful interpretation. Produced by Mick Jagger and recorded at Pye Studios in London during sessions in April and May 1966, it featured Arthur Greenslade on piano and arrangements, with Jimmy Page contributing guitar. Released on Andrew Loog Oldham’s Immediate Records, Farlowe’s single peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart on 28 July 1966, holding that position for one week. This interpretation emphasized the song’s soulful qualities and demonstrated its adaptability beyond The Rolling Stones’ own performances, cementing its place as a versatile hit of the mid-’60s. Farlowe’s rendition also influenced later Stones releases, including the Metamorphosis version, which combined elements of his backing vocals and orchestration with Jagger’s own performance.
A Timeless Stage Debut
In a testament to its lasting power Out of Time finally made its live debut more than five decades after its original release. On June 1, 2022, during the opening concert of The Rolling Stones’ Sixtytour in Madrid, the band performed the track for the first time in front of an eager audience, marking a historic moment for both fans and the band. Introducing a song after 56 years highlights The Stones’ unique ability to revisit their catalog with fresh energy, reminding the world that even familiar tracks can hold surprises. The performance underscored not only the timelessness of the music but also the enduring connection between artist and audience, proving that great songs—especially those tinged with heartbreak, irony, and power dynamics—can captivate listeners long after their initial recording. In this live moment Out of Time finally claimed its space on stage, completing a journey that had begun in the studio more than half a century earlier.
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