Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
Rolling Stones Unreleased: Andrew’s Blues
On February 4th, 1964, the Rolling Stones turned Regent Sound Studios into a chaotic playground, joined by Gene Pitney, Graham Nash, Allan Clarke, and producer Phil Spector. What started as spontaneous jams and birthday cognac rituals exploded into Andrew’s Blues—a raunchy, mischievous send-up of manager Andrew Loog Oldham and a cheeky jab at Decca Records. Never officially released, the track survived through bootlegs and online leaks, capturing the Stones’ irreverent humor, bold early spirit, and tight circle of musical friends. This infamous session highlights the playful audacity that fueled their rise from London upstarts to rock legends.
Also known as: Fuckin’ Andrew ; Song for Andrew Written by: Phelge/Spector Recorded: Regent Sounds Studios, London, England, Feb. 4 1964 Guest musicians: Phil Spector, Gene Pitney, Allan Clarke and Graham Nash
From Martin Elliott’s book The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions 1962-2012: The Regent Sounds session from Feb. 4 1964 continued with this whimsical ditty, with its lyrical content a little too shocking for public release. This is the reason for it only being available on bootleg. It comprises of verses with generally describe Andrew Oldham’s imagined sexual exploits with nursery-rhyme heroes Jack and Jill, and mimicry of the then Chairman of Decca Records. He described Phil Spector, who cried, “The Rolling Stones are a load of shit, but now that I’ve heard them, I know they’re a load of shit.”
A load of fun and generally a good ‘Mick-take’. To this day, Gene Pitney recalls with fondness the good fun and ‘pornographic’ overtones of this track. On the Metamorphosis album sleeve notes, Gene (and Phil Spector, Allan Clarke and Graham Nash) is thanked for his contribution. This relates to Andrew’s Blues which was planned to be released on the Necrophilia compilation project. Andrew Oldham had written the sleeve notes which ended up on Metamorphosis. A 1954 acetate of Not Fade Awaybacked by the politely named Song For Andrew exists.
The Legendary February 1964 Session
On February 4th, 1964 the Rolling Stones stormed Regent Sound Studios in London for a session that became cheeky rock ‘n’ roll lore. Already releasing a few singles, the band’s playground that night included unexpected guests: Gene Pitney, Graham Nash and Allan Clarke from The Hollies, and producer Phil Spector. Chaos reigned with spontaneous jams, birthday cognac rituals, and coins-on-bottles percussion. From this came Andrew’s Blues, a raunchy, playful send-up of manager Andrew Loog Oldham and a jab at Decca Records’ chairman. Though never officially released, it lived on in bootlegs and online, showcasing the Stones’ mischievous humor, their circle of musical friends, and the daring early spirit that would define their legendary career.
The Guest Stars and Musical Mischief
Bassist Bill Wyman recounted the session in his book Stone Alone, describing a room full of musicians goofing around, turning recording time into organized chaos. Pitney played piano while Spector, Nash, and Clarke added tambourine, maracas, and coins. Three songs emerged from the night, including the risqué Andrew’s Blues (a.k.a. Fuckin’ Andrew) and its instrumental cousin, Mr. Spector and Mr. Pitney Came Too. The track’s twelve-bar blues structure mirrored contemporary hits like Tommy Tucker’s Hi-Heel Sneakers, and its main vocals by Pitney—a famously straight-laced figure—made it all the more shocking. The lyrics humorously imagined Oldham’s exploits with nursery-rhyme characters while simultaneously mocking the music business, showcasing the Stones’ irreverent, boundary-pushing style.
Andrew Oldham: The Mastermind Behind the Madness
Manager, producer, and provocateur, Andrew Loog Oldham was central to shaping the Rolling Stones’ early identity. He cultivated their raw, rebellious image, guided Jagger and Richards to embrace original songwriting, and connected the band with key figures like Pitney and Spector. While Andrew’s Blues may have been a drunken lark, it exemplified the fearless creativity Oldham encouraged. His influence extended beyond management—he helped forge the sound, image, and mythos of a band destined to redefine rock ‘n’ roll.
Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here:
Cookie Policy
Subscribeto the Stones Data newsletter and get all posts delivered to you for free. Everybody got to go! *You can also support the site to help me keep sharing more content (updated daily!)
