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Rolling Stones songs: Tops
THE STONES BRING BACK A LOST GEM When Tops finally made its comeback on Tattoo You in 1981, it was pure Stones magic with a side of drama. Mick Taylor’s guitar from the 1972 Jamaica sessions still shone bright—though he wasn’t thrilled about being uncredited. With Jagger’s smooth falsetto, a few slick overdubs, and that classic groove, Tops sounded fresh yet timeless, proving some Stones tunes just age like fine rock ’n’ roll wine.
Don’t need no casting couch/ Or be a star in bed/ Never, never, never let success go to you pretty head…
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Dynamic Sounds Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, Nov. 25-Dec. 21 1972; Village Recorders, Los Angeles, USA, Jan.13-15 1973; EMI Pathé Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Jan. 5-March 2 1978; June 10-Oct. 19 1979 Guest musicians: Nicky Hopkins (piano) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
When Tops finally resurfaced on Tattoo You in 1981, nearly a decade after its original recording in Jamaica, it was as if time had stood still for one of The Rolling Stones’ most soulful creations. The track’s revival came with its share of drama—former guitarist Mick Taylor was none too pleased to hear his unmistakable playing featured without credit. He had already left the band years before, yet his lyrical guitar work defined the song’s texture. Taylor even filed suit over royalties, arguing the song was clearly built on a 1972 session at Dynamic Sounds Studios in Kingston.
Both Bill Wyman and Keith Richards later confirmed that the original take remained largely untouched, save for a few overdubs. Still, the band’s later revisits—especially Mick Jagger’s falsetto experiments during the Paris sessions—gave Tops a shimmering new identity that would perfectly complement Tattoo You’s refined polish.
The Soulful Core Of Tops
At its heart Tops is a beautifully crafted, soulful rock ballad, where Motown influences blend with the Stones’ raw emotion. Mick Jagger delivers one of his most expressive performances, intertwining his falsetto with a deeper, richer tone that brings emotional weight to every line. The combination of vulnerability and confidence gives the song its magnetic charm. Recorded in the autumn of 1972, when Taylor was still a full-fledged member, Tops captures the subtle elegance of his playing—his delicate vibrato and lyrical phrasing shine through, particularly in the solo that emerges around the 2:57 mark. It’s a performance that quietly reinforces how essential Taylor’s contribution was to the Stones’ early ‘70s sound.
Uncredited Brilliance Behind The Sound
Though Mick Taylor’s name is missing from the album credits, his absence is only nominal—the music itself speaks louder. Nicky Hopkins, another uncredited hero, almost certainly lends his lyrical piano touch, weaving a melodic undercurrent that mirrors Taylor’s expressive guitar tone. Beneath it all, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts form a rhythmic backbone that gives Tops its understated groove. Keith Richards, always chasing that perfect riff, contributes a solid rhythm part that anchors the song without overshadowing its tenderness.
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