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Rolling Stones songs: Scarlet
Scarlet, why you tearing my heart, all to pieces/ It ain’t the way it’s supposed to be…
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: The Wick, Ronnie Wood’s basement, Rchmond, England, Oct. 4 1974 / Overdubs: Mick Jagger’s home studio, Pocé-sur-Cisse, France, Apr. 2020
Mick Jagger: vocals, guitar Keith Richards: guitar Guest musicians: Ian Stewart (piano)/ Jimmy Page (guitar)/Rick Grech (bass)/ Bruce Rowland (drums)
Scarlet: The Rolling Stones’ Long-Lost Gem with Jimmy Page
It took nearly half a century for Scarlet to finally see the light of day, but when it did, it came roaring out of the archives with the same swagger that made The Rolling Stones legends. Featuring the unmistakable guitar work of Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, the song captures a raw, spontaneous energy that feels both vintage and timeless. Recorded back in October 1974 but left unreleased until 2020, Scarlet tells the story of a mischievous woman who drives Mick Jagger to frustration and fascination. There’s a looseness to the rhythm, a playful, scratchy groove that straddles blues-rock and reggae with a wink and a snarl. What began as a jam session between friends became one of rock’s most intriguing collaborations — a sonic time capsule of two titans colliding at the height of their creative powers.
The spark behind Scarlet
According to Keith Richards, Scarletcame together almost by accident. He recalled walking into Island Studios in London at the tail end of a Led Zeppelin session, just as the band was packing up. Jimmy Page, however, decided to stay and join in. What was meant to be a quick demo soon turned into a full-fledged track, with Ric Grech on bass, Bruce Rowland on drums, and pianist Ian Stewart rounding out the lineup. Richards later joked, “It came out so well that with a lineup like that, you know, we better use it.”
The song is believed to be named after Jimmy Page’s daughter, Scarlet Page, adding a personal and intimate touch to an already serendipitous collaboration, linking family inspiration with musical creativity. This connection gives the track an extra layer of meaning, blending personal history with artistic expression, and highlighting how chance encounters and personal stories can shape iconic songs, making Scarletboth memorable and human.
Jimmy Page: “Keith kicked it off and I began to mold a riff around his guitar part to augment the arrangement. It began to lock-in pretty soon with the musicians and we all got a successful take that evening.”
Rediscovery and release
Scarlet finally saw the light in July 2020 as part of the Goats Head Soup reissue—one of three previously unheard tracks that reignited the album for a new generation of listeners. Its release wasn’t just a nostalgic flashback; it marked another major milestone for The Rolling Stones, making them the first band ever to score a #1 album in six consecutive decades. The song, featuring Jimmy Page’s unmistakable guitar work, blended swagger with melancholy, fitting perfectly into the Stones’ timeless catalog. Soon after, two official remixes gave Scarlet new life: one by The War on Drugs, pulsing with a hypnotic, modern drive, and another by The Killers with DJ Jacques Lu Cont, transforming it into a lush, cinematic experience that proved the track’s enduring, cross-generational appeal.
A haunting visual companion
The song’s music video brought Scarlet into the 21st century with a fresh emotional lens. Directed by Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor, it stars Irish actor Paul Mescal, who portrays a man spiraling through loneliness inside London’s Claridge’s Hotel. Shot with social distancing during lockdown, the video captures him wandering through empty halls, leaving desperate voice messages for the titular Scarlet, and finally collapsing in heartbreak. It’s a cinematic portrayal of longing and regret, perfectly matching the song’s restless energy and emotional depth.
A friendship that shaped rock history
Jimmy Page’s connection with The Rolling Stones long predates Scarlet. He first collaborated with them on the 1964 demo for Heart of Stone and later played lead guitar on One Hit (To The Body) from 1986’s Dirty Work. Over the decades, Page and Richards maintained a mutual respect rooted in their shared love for rhythm, tone, and attitude. On Scarlet, their chemistry is undeniable — a gritty, unpolished blend of two distinctive guitar voices locked in creative conversation. Nearly fifty years later, the release of Scarlet not only revived a forgotten session but also celebrated the enduring bond between two of rock’s greatest forces.
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