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Rolling Stones songs: She Saw Me Coming
She worked so fast/ And she didn’t mess around/ It was all over/ Before the sun go down…
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA, June 6-298 2005 Guest musicians: Blondie Chaplin (backing vocals) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
Mick Jagger penned She Saw Me Coming either at his château in Pocé-sur-Cisse, France, or at his opulent estate on Mustique. It raises the question: did the iconic Stones frontman find himself in a vulnerable state? Regardless, the woman depicted in the song certainly puts him through the wringer. She leaves him feeling like a “stupid jerk”, betrays him, and metaphorically “burglarizes [his] soul.” Perhaps the most painful aspect is that while she was fully aware of his feelings and intentions, he remained oblivious to her true nature.
She Saw Me Coming is a mid-tempo rock track that might have easily taken on a reggae vibe. It’s a solid, catchy song with a memorable hook that lingers in your mind. The title is repeated so often that it becomes ingrained in your memory. Mick Jagger’s vocals, complemented by the talented Blondie Chaplin—who returns to the band after contributing to Bridges to Babylon—are spot on: they embody a rock essence laced with a hint of humor. Interestingly, it’s Mick playing the bass, and he excels in that role, providing a straightforward yet effective foundation for the drums. Charlie Watts showcases his exceptional groove with impeccable snare drum pickups, delivering a rhythm that perfectly supports the overall sound of the track.
The Stones frontman appears to lend his support to Charlie on percussion as well, likely playing a shaker or maracas, although this contribution isn’t very noticeable in the mix. The main riff of the song is unmistakably delivered by Keith, probably using his 5-string Telecaster tuned to open G. It’s crucial to highlight how his playing respects the phrasing and pacing that are vital to the groove of the track. This level of finesse is something that not all rhythm guitarists manage to achieve in their performance, making Keith’s contribution particularly noteworthy.
Ronnie handles the other guitar, complementing his bandmates with a blend of half-rock, half-funk rhythms while adding some impressive licks throughout. This is one of the standout features of She Saw Me Coming. Listeners can catch two quick slide interjections that might be attributed to either guitarist, adding a nice touch to the overall sound. Although Keith is credited with playing piano on the track, his contributions are difficult to discern in the mix.
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