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Rolling Stones unreleased: Dear Doctor (take #1)
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, May 13-23 1968 (Beggars Banquet sessions) Guest musicians: Nicky Hopkins (piano)
Recorded during the Beggars Banquet sessions in May 1968 at Olympic Sound Studios in London, Dear Doctor (Take 1) is a raw, unreleased gem that oozes country-blues charm and twisted humor. With Nicky Hopkins adding subtle flourishes on piano, the stripped-down take lets Mick Jagger’s sardonic vocals shine front and center. This early version leans even more heavily into its Southern Gothic vibe, painting the image of a desperate young man dreading a wedding he never wanted. The bride, described with comical cruelty as a “bow-legged sow,” represents everything he’s trying to escape.
He turns to his doctor, then his mother, searching for a lifeline—but both fail him. Just as the weight of despair seems too heavy to bear, a letter from the fiancée herself delivers the twist: she’s left him. The punchline? Relief. In under three minutes, the Stones turn misery into a bitter laugh, offering a short story that’s as tragic as it is hilarious.
Dear Doctor: The Humor That Hurts
Laced with melodrama, irony, and Southern flair, Dear Doctor stands as one of Jagger’s finest comedic performances. While its honky-tonk musical feel might seem playful on the surface, the lyrical content cuts deep. The man’s cry for help, his family’s indifference, and the absurd resolution all highlight the Rolling Stones’ ability to turn a bleak emotional spiral into biting satire. Whether you’re a fan of their bluesy roots or just love storytelling through song, this unreleased take is a reminder that sometimes, heartbreak can sound like comedy with a country twang. (Ref. Rolling Stones Dear Doctor Take 1)
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