The Rolling Stones’ Reggae Roots of ‘Start Me Up’ (1977)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on May 23, 2025 • ( 1 Comment )

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Rolling Stones unreleased: Never Stop

*Early “reggae” version of Start Me Up
Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: Pathé Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Oct-Dec. 1977

From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012:
This is the infamous reggae version of Start Me Up. Definitely curious only listening but it did illustrate Keith Richards’ point that if the original song was strong enough then it should survive through tempo and melody changes. He was stretching a point on Never Stop. Mick Jagger sings guide vocals only of “start it up” and “never stop”. During the many run-throughs, Keith and Charlie Watts improvised and created a rock version and it was this that was found later amongst the tapes in Paris 1978, and resulted in the re-works of Start Me Up.

From Reggae Roots to Rock Anthem: The Evolution of Start Me Up

Before it became a defining hit, Start Me Up began life in an unexpected form—a reggae-infused track called Never Stop, recorded back in 1977. Despite its unique groove, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards weren’t fully satisfied, so the song was shelved. Years later, while assembling material for Tattoo You, they revisited it, transforming the track into the energetic rock anthem we know today. With its unmistakable guitar riff and cheeky lyrical innuendo, Start Me Up became the standout on the album and a timeless Rolling Stones classic.

How a Vault Discovery Became a Rock Classic and MTV Sensation

In 1981, with MTV freshly launched, The Rolling Stones seized the moment—completing “Start Me Up” in just six hours and pairing it with a savvy music video. Discovered by engineer Chris Kimsey among reggae-leaning outtakes, two rock-driven takes stood out and were finished in New York’s Electric Lady Studios. “It was one of those things we cut a lot of times; one of those cuts that you can play forever and ever in the studio”, Keith Richards remembered. “Twenty minutes go by and you’re still locked into those two chords… Sometimes you become conscious of the fact that, ‘Oh, it’s “Brown Sugar” again,’ so you begin to explore other rhythmic possibilities. It’s basically trial and error. As I said, that one was pretty locked into a reggae rhythm for quite a few weeks. We were cutting it for Emotional Rescue, but it was nowhere near coming through, and we put it aside and almost forgot about it.”

From Reggae Jam to Rock Anthem: The Rolling Stones’ Never Stop and the Accidental Birth of Start Me Up

What began as a reggae experiment almost never became the iconic track we know today. Keith Richards once recalled how Start Me Up went through 38 reggae-tinged takes (yes, that’s thirty-eight takes!), complete with a “Jah Rastafari” vibe. In a spontaneous moment during a break, he and Charlie Watts played a quick rock ‘n’ roll version—just to shake things up. They immediately returned to reggae and forgot the fleeting burst of rock until it was rediscovered five years later in the archives.

That overlooked take became the foundation for the final version. With the help of mixer Bob Clearmountain and his signature “bathroom reverb,” the song was given the punchy, infectious sound that fans still love. Not only did Start Me Up dominate the charts, but it also became a staple of the Rolling Stones’ live shows—often opening their concerts with explosive energy and reminding everyone of its unlikely, magical origin.

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