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Rolling Stones songs: Heart of Stone (Metamorphosis version

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‘Cause she’ll never break, never break, never break, never break…

Written by: Jagger/Richard
Recorded: Regent, IBC and Decca Studios, London, England, Jul. 21-Aug. 1964
Guest musicians: Jimmy Page (guitar), Clem Cattini (drums)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

This version was tried and tested in the UK before the autumn RCA Hollywood ’64 sessions. It features a choral voice back-drop and guest session musicians Jimmy Page. The feel is Country and Western, with ‘electric’ steel guitar. An unusual ver sion, generally influenced by the other Andrew Oldham produced session tracks of the time. It was released on the 1975 compilation outtak album Metamorphosis. Keith Richards credits Jimmy Page, acknowledging that he copies Jimmy’s guitar solo lick for lick for the RCA Hollywood version. Another UK version of the track exists without the country feel and an extended guitar solo at the fade where Mick Jagger sings ‘I got to go’. heart of stone metamorphosis

From the Rolling Stones – All the Songs, The Story Behind Every Track book:
A demo exists (included on the 1975 album Metamorphosis) that had been recorded on July 21 at Regent Sound Studios in London with Bill Farley at the controls, Mick Jagger as the only representative of the Stones, a certain Jimmy Page on guitar, and Clem Cattini on drums. The words are the same (both verses and refrain). The arrangement, however, has changed. Whereas the number was originally a country-folk ballad with pedal steel guitar and vocal harmonies, at the RCA Studios “Heart of Stone” was transformed into a soul ballad in the spirit of those recorded by Otis Redding or Bobby Blue Bland.