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Rolling Stones unreleased: Neighbours (demo version)
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Pathé Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, June-Sept. 1979
Before it ever made it to Tattoo You, Neighbours was living a rough-and-tumble life of its own. Originally slated for Emotional Rescue, the song sprang straight from Keith Richards’ notorious noise complaints file—proof that even rock legends can be problematic neighbors. Mick Jagger grabbed inspiration from Keith’s tendency to blast music at ear-shredding levels in his New York City apartment with Patti Hansen.
The resulting lyrics hilariously capture the chaos of living next to a human amplifier, turning real-life tension into pure rock ’n’ roll satire. From the evictions to the furious neighbors banging on doors, Neighbours immortalizes the clash between a rockstar lifestyle and everyday civility, showing the Stones at their most mischievous yet remarkably self-aware. Keith’s real-life antics fuel the song’s humor, and Jagger’s sharp pen makes it a biting yet playful snapshot of celebrity excess colliding with ordinary life.
Keith Richards’ Loud Legacy
Keith himself has recalled the absurdity: “And these people come up to our door saying, ‘We can’t even hear Bugs Bunny on our TV, your music’s so loud! Turn the kettledrums down!’Neighbours is the first song I think Mick’s ever really written for me. It’s one I wish I’d written, that.” The track perfectly captures the interplay between rockstar bravado and neighborly irritation, with Keith’s real-life experiences giving the song authenticity and bite. Here, humor and chaos are inseparable from the music, reflecting both personal stories and the legendary band’s rebellious energy.
Sonny Rollins’ Sax Magic
Adding to the track’s flair, jazz colossus legend Sonny Rollins contributed a wild, energetic sax solo in the song’s final version that injects even more frenzied excitement into Neighbours. His improvisational fire elevates the track, blending seamlessly with the Stones’ raw rock energy. Rollins’ influence didn’t stop there—he also added his signature sound to Slave and Waiting on a Friend, giving Tattoo You a unique jazz-rock hybrid texture. His collaborations demonstrate how genre boundaries dissolve when virtuosity meets attitude, making these tracks enduring highlights of the album.
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