More Rolling Stones Unreleased: ‘It Won’t Be Long’ (1979)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on July 12, 2025

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Rolling Stones Unreleased: It Won’t Be Long

Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: EMI Pathé-Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Jan. 5-March 2 1978 – Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas, Jan. 18-Feb. 12 1979 (Emotional Rescue sessions)

From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012:
Two versions recorded year on year in 1978 and 1979. Keith Richards is on backing vocals. The second version prepared for Emotional Rescue has a reggae tinge and additional keyboards with a xylophone.

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rolling stones unreleased it won't be long 1979

A Reggae-Tinged Mystery from the Stones Vault

Long before deluxe editions and streaming made it easier to dig up unreleased gems, It Won’t Be Long quietly remained hidden in The Rolling Stones’ archives. Recorded during the Emotional Rescue sessions, this track reflects the band’s willingness to experiment with genre and mood—even if the final product never saw the light of day. While it never made the official album cut, It Won’t Be Long has all the marks of a creative detour worth exploring: reggae undertones, layered keyboards, and even a xylophone adding a surreal, tropical vibe. The track was laid down in early 1979 at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, following an earlier version recorded in France at EMI Pathé-Marconi Studios in 1978. These dual sessions—spanning two years—show the band’s dedication to refining a song that perhaps never found its final form, but still carried that unmistakable Jagger/Richards signature.

Keith on Vocals, Xylophone in the Mix

According to Martin Elliott’s The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions, two versions of It Won’t Be Long exist, recorded a year apart. While the core songwriting duo of Jagger and Richards carried the creative weight, Keith also added backing vocals to the mix—further blurring the lines between demo and fully fleshed-out track. The second version, tailored for Emotional Rescue, leaned into experimentation: hints of reggae, playful percussion, and a laid-back groove that contrasted with the band’s typical raw energy. While it may not have earned a spot on the album, the track offers a snapshot of a band still willing to push boundaries—even in their downtime. It’s a reminder that not every gem gets polished, but some still shine from the vault.

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