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Rolling Stones unreleased: Let It Loose (instrumental version)
A COOL PEEK BEHIND THE CHAOS This instrumental version of Let It Loose isn’t just some random leftover—it’s like sneaking into the Stones’ messy but magical creative lab. With Nicky Hopkins’ piano leading the way, you feel the song float in a dreamlike haze. No lyrics, no polish, just pure atmosphere. It’s the kind of track that shows how the band’s wild, chaotic energy in 1971 could still turn into something unforgettable, even when it wasn’t meant for release.
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Rolling Stones Mobile, Villa Nellcote, Villefranche-sur-mer, France, July 10-late July, Oct. 14-Nov. 23 1971 (Exile On Main St. sessions) Guest musicians: Nicky Hopkins (piano)
Rolling Stones Unreleased: A Hidden Side of Let It Loose
Sometimes the beauty of music lies in what we don’t get to hear right away. Buried deep in the chaos of the legendary Exile on Main St. sessions at Villa Nellcote, this unreleased instrumental version of Let It Loose offers a fascinating glimpse into a different creative world of The Rolling Stones. Stripped of Mick Jagger’s soulful vocals, the piece takes on an entirely new personality, highlighting textures and moods that often sit beneath the surface. It becomes less of a gospel-tinged cry and more of a meditative, almost cinematic journey.
Recorded between July and late November of 1971, this track breathes with the raw atmosphere of the French Riviera villa where the Stones wrote, jammed, and battled through both brilliance and chaos. Hearing this version feels like stepping into the smoky, late-night energy of those rooms, catching the band in their most vulnerable, unpolished form.
Exile Sessions and Guest Sparks
The ExileOn Main St. recordings were infamous for their unpredictable energy, fueled by makeshift setups, sleepless nights, and creative tension. Within that storm, moments of magic surfaced—like pianist Nicky Hopkins, whose subtle touch brought haunting emotion to the instrumental Let It Loose. Without lyrics leading the way, Hopkins’ piano becomes a guiding voice, carrying the song into a dreamlike state that feels both unfinished and timeless.
Why This Version Matters
Unreleased tracks like this aren’t just curiosities—they’re living history. They reveal how songs evolved, how fragments became classics, and how the Stones navigated their most turbulent yet inspired era. The instrumental Let It Loose isn’t simply a lost recording; it’s a window into 1971, when the Stones were at their most chaotic, yet somehow managed to turn turmoil into art.
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