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Rolling Stones unreleased: I Don’t Know the Reason Why
Also known as: Hillside Blues Written by: Jagger/Richard/Taylor Recorded: Elektra Studios, Hollywood and Sunset Sound Studios, Los Angeles, USA, Oct.18-Nov. 2 1969 Guest musicians: Bobby Keys (saxophone)
*From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: A seven-minute excursion into the blues. Mick Taylor is evident on electric guitar playing in the traditional English blues breakers mould of Eric Clapton and John Mayall. The saxophone work of Bobby Keys can also be heard. The stereo recording elevates I Don’t Know the Reason Why into a worthy collector’s piece.
Unearthed Blues: The Rolling Stones’ Hidden 1969 Jam
Deep within the archives of The Rolling Stones’ prolific recording history lies a bluesy gem that never made the official cut—I Don’t Know the Reason Why, also known among collectors as Hillside Blues. Recorded between October 18 and November 2, 1969, at both Elektra Studios and Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, this seven-minute track captures the band in peak experimental mode during the Let It Bleed era. At its heart is Mick Taylor, newly integrated into the lineup, weaving electric guitar lines reminiscent of the English blues scene he emerged from—think Eric Clapton and John Mayall. Adding to the magic is Bobby Keys on saxophone, his melodic bursts threading seamlessly through the raw groove. The track’s stereo mix further enhances its status as a must-hear rarity among Stones aficionados.
More Than Just an Outtake
Although never officially released,I Don’t Know the Reason Why stands as more than a forgotten outtake—it’s a sonic snapshot of the band’s transition and musical fluidity at the end of the 1960s. With songwriting credits shared by Jagger, Richards, and Taylor, the track represents a moment when The Rolling Stones were expanding their sound through deeper blues explorations and the addition of new collaborators. Bobby Keys, who would soon become a mainstay in the Stones’ touring and recording lineup, brings a lively, soulful edge that hints at the future direction of the band’s horn-driven rock ‘n’ roll. For fans and collectors, this track is a treasured piece of the Stones’ ever-evolving sound—unpolished, atmospheric, and rich with promise.
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