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Rolling Stones unreleased: Tops (alternate take)

Written by: Jagger/Richard
Recorded: Dynamic Sounds Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, Nov. 25-Dec. 21 1972; Village Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA, Jan. 13-15 1973
Guest musicians: Nicky Hopkins (piano)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

*Click for MORE STONES UNRELEASED TRACKS

More about Tops (early take) by The Rolling Stones

*By Marcelo Sonaglioni

Tops made an unexpected comeback on Tattoo You in 1981, nearly a decade after its original recording during the Goats Head Soup sessions. However, its inclusion didn’t sit well with Mick Taylor, who had already left the Rolling Stones by then. Frustrated by the fact that he wasn’t credited on the album despite his unmistakable fabulous guitar work, Taylor decided to take legal action against the band, demanding royalties. He argued that the foundation of the track clearly came from the 1972 recording sessions in Jamaica, and yet, his contribution was nowhere to be acknowledged in the album.

To support his case, an instrumental outtake exists that runs longer than the officially released version (available in several bootlegs), making Taylor’s guitar work impossible to ignore. While some overdubs were added later, both Bill Wyman and Keith Richards have confirmed that the song remained largely unchanged from its original take.

Additionally, another unreleased outtake recorded in Paris showcases Mick Jagger experimenting with a variety of vocal styles, including falsetto. In the final Tattoo You version, this falsetto was used specifically for the backing vocals, adding a unique layer to the track’s overall sound.

One interesting detail is that since Tops was officially released in 1981, Keith Richards’ name appears in the credits with the full “s” at the end. However, no specific mention of Tops itself is made in connection to this, only a reference to the falsetto vocals. (Ref. tops alternate)

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