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Rolling Stones unreleased: Crazy Arms
CRAZY ARMS, STONES STYLE Back in ’82 The Rolling Stones took a swing at Crazy Arms, and the result was anything but polished. Keith Richards parked himself at the piano, growled through the vocals, and let a steel guitar do the crying. It’s raw, scruffy, and kinda charming—more barroom jam than studio masterpiece. What makes it cool is the clash of worlds: British rock legends tipping their hats to American honky-tonk, keeping it loose, messy, and totally alive.
Written by: Mooney/Seals Recorded: EMI Pathé Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Nov. 11-Dec. 16 1982 (Undercover sessions)
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: With just Keith Richards on piano and vocals and a country steel guitar, this country and western standard by Ralph Mooney and Charles Seals was covered by Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Chuck Berry, Waylon Jennings and, of course, The Flying Burrito Brothers, to mention just a few.
When The Rolling Stones decided to mess around with Crazy Arms in 1982 it wasn’t about slick production or flashy experimentation—it was stripped back, raw, and almost playful. Just Keith Richards on piano and vocals, joined by a lonesome country steel guitar, the Stones put their own stamp on a tune that already carried a long and colorful history. What makes their take fascinating is the way it connects British rock royalty with a cornerstone of American honky-tonk tradition. Keith’s gravelly delivery feels like it’s less about perfect pitch and more about channeling the mood, keeping it loose and unvarnished.
It’s a version that sounds like it was recorded in a haze of late-night laughs, but it still carries the weight of the song’s legendary past. In this moment, the Stones weren’t just covering a classic—they were tipping their hats to the roots of the music they loved.
Roots and Recognition
Long before Richards gave it his spin, Crazy Arms had already carved its place in American country music. Written in 1949 by Ralph Mooney and Charles “Chuck” Seals, it didn’t become a sensation until Ray Price recorded it in 1956. That release became Price’s breakthrough, soaring to number one and reshaping the honky-tonk sound for years to come. The track was later recognized by the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, cementing its legacy.
A Song Everyone Wanted To Play
It wasn’t just Price who found magic in “Crazy Arms.” The tune became irresistible to country and rock legends alike—Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Chuck Berry, and The Flying Burrito Brothers all left their mark on it. That’s part of the song’s charm: each artist reshaped it without breaking its heart. The Stones’ 1982 rendition may not be the most polished, but it’s another thread in a rich tapestry of musical reinvention.
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