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Rolling Stones unreleased: Pull Over
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Pathé Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Dec. 1982 (Undercover sessions) Guest musicians: Jim Barber (guitar, bass)/Chuck Leavell (keyboards)
The Rolling Stones’ Pull Over: A Hidden Sonic Experiment
In the shadowy corners of the Undercover sessions in late 1982, the Rolling Stones laid down a curious and mysterious track—Pull Over. Recorded at the legendary Pathé Marconi Studios in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, this unreleased piece remains one of the band’s most elusive creations. Almost entirely instrumental, Pull Overfeels more like a jam pulled straight from the depths of a long, late-night session than a polished, radio-ready cut. With Mick Jagger and Keith Richards at the writing helm, the track hints at their willingness to push past the familiar Stones formula and embrace raw experimentation.
Guest guitarist and technician Jim Barber—who brought both guitar and bass to the session—joined longtime Stones collaborator Chuck Leavell on keyboards, resulting in a groove-driven, textured piece that plays like a soundtrack to a scene that never got filmed. There’s no flashy chorus or sing-along moment—just mood, muscle, and mystery packed into a forgotten groove.
An Undercover Outtake That Turns Heads
According to Martin Elliott’s book The Rolling Stones: Complete Recording Sessions, Pull Over is listed as “a nearly instrumental,” emphasizing its loose structure and improvisational spirit. While it didn’t make the final cut of the Undercover album, it adds another layer to that era’s restless creativity. The band was clearly in a transitional phase—dabbling in funk, punk, and post-disco vibes—and the song captures that energy in a pure, unfiltered way. It’s the kind of track that hardcore fans love to chase down: obscure, atmospheric, and brimming with the Stones’ signature grit. If anything, Pull Over is proof that even their castoffs can pack more attitude and edge than most bands’ best takes.
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