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Rolling Stones unreleased: It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
Written by: Bob Dylan Recorded: Windmill Lane Recording, Dublin, Ireland, Nov-Dec. 1993 (Voodoo Lounge Sessions)
More about The Rolling Stones’ take on Bob Dylan’s It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni
During an overdub session for the (also unreleased song) You Got It Made, an unexpected jam session unfolded, bringing a spontaneous burst of creativity to the studio. The Rolling Stones, known for their loose and improvisational spirit, took a break from their structured recording process and let the music flow naturally.
Somewhere along the way, Bob Dylan’s It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry became the centerpiece of this jam. Originally released on Highway 61 Revisited in 1965, Dylan’s slow, bluesy tune carried the kind of laid-back groove that fit perfectly into the Stones’ raw, unfiltered energy. Whether it was Keith Richards’ effortless riffing or Mick Jagger slipping into his best Dylan-esque drawl, the moment was pure rock ‘n’ roll magic.
Jamming in the studio wasn’t just about killing time—it was part of the Stones’ creative DNA. These free-flowing moments often sparked new ideas or simply reminded them why they loved playing music in the first place. Dylan’s song, with its hypnotic rhythm and evocative lyrics, gave them the perfect excuse to loosen up and lose themselves in the music, as the Stones’ impromptu take (available in the Voodoo Stew bootleg) shows.
Even though this jam was never meant for an official release, it added another layer to the Stones’ long-running admiration for Dylan. The two legends had always shared a mutual respect, influencing each other in subtle but undeniable ways. Whether intentional or not, moments like this blurred the lines between rock’s greatest songwriters, proving that sometimes, the best music happens when no one’s really trying—just playing, feeling, and letting it all happen naturally.
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