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Rolling Stones unreleased:Some of Us Are On Our Knees
Written by: Jagger, Richards Recorded: EMI Pathé Marconi Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, April 8-June 17, 1985 (Dirty Work sessions)
The Tension Behind the Scenes of Dirty Work Recording Sessions
The recording sessions for Dirty Work began in April 1985 in Paris and stretched over two months, with a brief hiatus in between. This marked the start of the Rolling Stones’ new chapter under their CBS Records contract, but tensions within the band were already bubbling.
Keith Richards was frustrated with Mick Jagger’s growing focus on his solo career, particularly the release of Jagger’s debut album, She’s the Boss. For Richards, the Rolling Stones were still his top priority, and Jagger’s pop star aspirations didn’t sit well with him. As the sessions progressed, Richards continued to record with Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts, but Jagger was often absent. His vocal contributions were added later, adding to the growing rift between the two bandmates. (Ref. Rolling Stones unreleased track)
Roots of a Hidden Gem: Some of Us Are On Our Knees
Though never officially released, Some of Us Are On Our Knees offers a glimpse into the more introspective side of the Rolling Stones’ 1985 sessions. Laid down between April 8 and June 17 at EMI Pathé Marconi Studios in France, the track showcases Keith Richards not only on guitar but also taking the lead on vocals, adding a layer of raw emotion and grit to the slow, rolling groove.
The song’s unvarnished simplicity and emotional tone would go on to echo through later works—most notably in Sleep Tonight, a track from the Dirty Work album that seems to draw on the same sonic DNA.
Co-written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards Some of Us Are On Our Knees represents a reflective moment in the Stones’ mid-80s evolution—subdued, soulful, and rich with the kind of honesty that rarely made it past the cutting room floor. (Ref. Rolling Stones unreleased track)
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