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 updated every day. Thanks in advance!
Rolling Stones unreleased: Flip the Switch (alternate version, Keith Richards on vocals)
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, March 13-July 1997 (Bridges to Babylon sessions) Guest musicians: Waddy Wachtel (guitar), Jeff Sarli (bass), Joe Sublett (saxophone), Jim Keltner (percussion), Blondie Chaplin (tambourine), Bernard Fowler and Blondie Chaplin (background vocals)
The Unreleased Alternate Gem: ‘Flip the Switch’ (1997)
In the vast catalog of unreleased Rolling Stones tracks, Flip the Switch stands out as a fascinating alternate version from the Bridges to Babylon sessions. Recorded in 1997 at Ocean Way Recording Studios in Los Angeles, this track offers a unique glimpse into the creative process of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards during one of the band’s most experimental periods. What makes this version especially noteworthy is Keith Richards taking the lead on vocals, a rare but powerful choice that adds a different dimension to the song’s energy and feel.
While Jagger’s voice is often the defining feature of the Rolling Stones’ sound, Richards’ raw, gritty delivery in this track brings a distinctive edge. The song’s musical arrangement, fueled by electric guitar riffs from Waddy Wachtel and solid bass lines from Jeff Sarli, perfectly complements Richards’ vocal style. Add in the energetic saxophone of Joe Sublett, percussion by Jim Keltner, and the backing vocals of Bernard Fowler and Blondie Chaplin, and you have a track that pulses with vitality and the essence of the Stones’ timeless groove.
Creative Collaboration
What sets this alternate version apart is the synergy between the band members and guest musicians, who collectively pushed the boundaries of what was expected from a Rolling Stones song. Waddy Wachtel’s guitar work is layered with intensity, while Jim Keltner’s percussion provides a rhythmic backbone that drives the track forward. The presence of Blondie Chaplin, both on tambourine and background vocals, adds a unique texture to the song, giving it a fuller, more dynamic sound than its final version. (Ref. Rolling Stones 1997 version)
Exploring the 1997 Sessions
Recorded between March and July of 1997, the Bridges to Babylon sessions marked a period of musical reinvention for the Rolling Stones. The inclusion of guest musicians like Chaplin and Sublett shows the band’s openness to collaboration, resulting in a track that feels alive with experimentation and the raw energy that defined this period of their career. Flip the Switch in its alternate form is not just a song but a snapshot of a band embracing change while maintaining their classic sound. (Ref. Rolling Stones 1997 version)
Stones Data on Substack
