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Rolling Stones unreleased: Cocksucker Blues
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Also known as: ‘Schoolboy Blues’, ‘Lonesome Schoolboy’
Written by: Jagger/Richard
Recorded: Rolling Stones Mobile, Stargoves, Newbury and Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, May 1970

From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012:
As the Stones terminated their contract with Decca an executive reminded them that they still had to deliver one further single. The Stones duly obliged presenting them with the master tape of Cocksucker Blues. It was the Stones’ last two-finger salute to the record company who, through the years, continually censored album covers and products alike. Decca were morally obliged not to release the ‘X’ rated Cocksucker Blues. It is a slow blues song featuring just acoustic guitar and Mick Jagger’s wailful tones. Mick is the likely acoustic guitar player. The lyrics freely describe homosexual practices.

The track was later retitled Schoolboy Blues when it was included in the stage production of The Trials of Oz by Geoff Robertson. Original demos were recorded in the mobile recording unit at Stargroves, Newbury, Berkshire. In 1984 the German boxed set of Decca material contained a bonus single with Cocksucker Blues on it. It was available for a short period and then in 1985 was discontinued and Decca in Hamburg declined to comment. An interesting electric version was played in May 1978 during rehearsals for the upcoming tour. It was not featured on the setlist!
*Cocksucker Blues is an unreleased documentary film directed by the still photographer Robert Frank chronicling The Rolling Stones American Tour 1972 in support of their album Exile on Main St.

From Songfacts:
If you’ve never heard of this song before, that’s because:
1) “Schoolboy Blues” is actually an alternate title for the song.
2) The song was never released anyway. The reason for both becomes obvious when you read the song’s lyrics and its original, uncensored title: “Cocksucker Blues.”

This song came about as the Stones were set to establish their own record label. They had one single left to record for their old label (Decca) in order to fulfill the terms of their contract, and this was it. It was a kiss-off to the label, who retaliated by releasing a compilation album called Stone Age, which the band denounced in full-page ads placed British music magazines. The album still made #4 on the UK chart.

With “Schoolboy Blues” the Rolling Stones apparently took a cue from Phil Spector, who in 1963 wrote and had the Crystals record “(Let’s Dance) The Screw” as a parting shot at Lester Sill, his former partner at Philles Records, with whom Spector had had a falling-out. (A persistent myth is that “The Screw” was also meant to technically fulfill the terms of a contract, but Sill has denied this)

Although Decca never released this single, the song did appear as part of the original West German release of the boxed set The Rest of the Best, but after 4 weeks the set was re-issued without this song.
(Ref: rolling stones cocksucker blues)

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