Rolling Stones’ Hidden Gem: ‘For Your Precious Love’ (1989)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on April 1, 2026

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Rolling Stones Unreleased: For Your Precious Love

*Click for MORE STONES UNRELEASED TRACKS

Hidden within the Steel Wheels sessions lies a forgotten gem that reveals a different side of The Rolling Stones. Their unreleased take on For Your Precious Love isn’t just another cover—it’s a soulful reinterpretation that bridges decades of influence, from Jerry Butler’s original to the band’s late-’80s revival. Recorded in Montserrat, the track transforms smooth emotion into something rougher, more weathered, and unmistakably Stones. It’s a reminder that even during a comeback era, the band was still digging deep into its roots, reshaping classic sounds into something raw, personal, and intriguingly unfinished.

Written by: Jerry Butler
Recorded: AIR Studios, Montserrat, West Indies, March 29-Apr. 1989 (Steel Wheels sessions)

From Martin Elliott’s book The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions 1962-2012:
A Jerry Butler song which was an original Top 20 USA hit for him and Curtis Mayfield’s band, The Impressions, in 1958. Other lesser known acts who covered the song and attained USA chart positions were Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters and Oscar Toney Junior. The Stones took the opportunity to record it during the sessions and apparently it was one of the 15 releasable tracks.

rolling stones unreleased for your precious love 1989

The Rolling Stones and Their Unreleased Cover: For Your Precious Love

The Rolling Stones’ 1989 Steel Wheels sessions gave birth to a treasure trove of unreleased tracks, with one standout being their version of For Your Precious Love. Originally penned by Jerry Butler, this soulful ballad had already made its mark as a Top 20 hit in the U.S. in 1958, first by Butler and later by Curtis Mayfield’s The Impressions. The track’s haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics were later covered by other acts, yet it was The Rolling Stones’ rendition that would capture a different energy. Recorded at the AIR Studios in Montserrat, the Stones added their own gritty, raw edge to the timeless song during their 1989 recording sessions, cementing it as one of the fifteen unreleased tracks that could have been part of their official releases.

**A Glimpse into the Steel Wheels Sessions**

The choice to record For Your Precious Love during the Steel Wheels sessions showcases The Rolling Stones’ deep appreciation for the soul classics that influenced their musical journey. The track stands as a testament to the band’s ability to transform a well-known hit into something uniquely their own, infusing it with their signature style. While the song never made it onto the official Steel Wheels album, it remains a fascinating piece of The Rolling Stones’ creative output, capturing the spirit of their late ’80s sound. Its inclusion in the 15 potential tracks demonstrates just how varied the band’s musical explorations were at the time. Though it never officially graced the public’s ears as a single, the cover remains an important part of their extensive catalog.

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