Stones Unreleased: ‘Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever’ (1985)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on December 31, 2025 • ( 1 Comment )

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Rolling Stones unreleased: Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

Originally a Motown jewel, Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever was written by Stevie Wonder and Ivy Jo Hunter and first recorded by the Four Tops, with Wonder even playing drums. When the Rolling Stones revisited it during the 1985 Dirty Work sessions, they didn’t chase polish. They leaned into feel. Chuck Leavell’s rolling piano, Ron Wood’s relaxed guitar lines, and Mick Jagger’s knowing vocal transform the song into something looser and lived-in. The Stones respect the soul core while adding grit and swagger, proving that reinterpretation can be an act of affection, not imitation, and great songs survive forever.

Written by: Hunter/Wonder
Recorded: RPM Studios, New York, USA, July 16-Aug. 17 1985 (Dirty Work sessions)
Guest musicians: Chuck Leavell (piano)

From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012:
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever was written by George (Ivy) Hunter and Stevie Wonder. It was popularised in July 1966 by The Four Tops when it achieved a Number 21 hit with it in the UK. The Stones’ version is loose, principally led by the piano, Jagger’s vocals and a couple of guitars, one of which is that of Ron Wood.

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rolling stones unreleased loving you is sweeter than ever 1985

The Rolling Stones Go Sweeter Than Ever

Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever has roots that go deep into Motown history. Written by Ivy Jo Hunter and Stevie Wonder, the song first came to life in 1966 when the Four Tops released it, with Wonder even contributing on drums. Back then, it was praised as a hard-hitting, rhythmic R&B love anthem—a lucky guy finally meeting the girl of his dreams. Cash Box called it a “pop-R&B romancer,” while Record World labeled it a “teen beat love ode.”

Fast forward to 1985, and the Rolling Stones took a swing at it during the Dirty Work sessions at RPM Studios in New York. Their version is looser, a jam built around Chuck Leavell’s piano, Mick Jagger’s signature vocals, and the layered guitars of Ron Wood and company. Unlike the polished Motown original, the Stones’ take is smoky, relaxed, and distinctly theirs, adding a rock ’n’ roll swagger to a soulful melody.

From Motown Classic to Stones’ Spin

What makes this unreleased cover stand out is how effortlessly the Stones adapted the Motown vibe to their own style. The piano drives the groove, Jagger’s voice teases and charms, and the guitars weave in and out like conversational riffs. It’s a peek behind the curtain at how the Stones approached recording: honoring a classic while making it unmistakably their own. Though never officially released, this track remains a hidden gem, bridging the gap between Motown’s heart and the Stones’ rock ’n’ roll edge.

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