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Rolling Stones unreleased:Who Am I?
Not every Rolling Stones experiment hits the mark, and Who Am I?is a perfect example. Recorded during the Sticky Fingers sessions, this calypso-inspired track promised a fresh rhythm but fell short of the band’s signature edge and energy. Its repetitive beat couldn’t match the bold, adventurous spirit that defined the Stones’ best work. Though never officially released, the song survives on bootlegs, offering a fascinating glimpse into a transitional period where the band pushed boundaries and refined their sound. Who Am I?may have been left off the album, but it’s a curious artifact of the Stones’ relentless creativity.
Also known as: See I Love You Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Rolling Stones Mobile, Stargroves, Newbury, England, March-May 1970; Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, July 14-15 1970
From Martin Elliott’s book The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions 1962-2012: Rightly discarded as substandard, Who Am I? is played with a repetitive calypso beat. There are guide vocals with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
More about The Rolling Stones’ Discarded Track Who Am I?
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni
Why Who Am I? Was Left Off Sticky Fingers
Who Am I? was rightly left behind during the making of the Sticky Fingers album. Despite the Stones’ iconic reputation for pushing boundaries and experimenting, this track didn’t quite meet the high standards the band set for themselves. With its repetitive calypso beat, the song lacked the edge, sophistication, and intensity that marked their greatest work. As a result, it was deemed substandard and never made the final cut for release. While it had the potential to add a different flavor to the album, the execution failed to capture the energy and cohesion the Stones were known for, leaving it forgotten among the band’s vast catalog of experimental ideas.
When Experimentation Falls Short
At its core, the track was an attempt to explore different rhythms. Its calypso-inspired beat was an interesting choice, but it ended up feeling too repetitive and uninspired. The song had potential but didn’t push the boundaries like other tracks from this era. The Stones had already been experimenting with genres, but the song fell short of the dynamic, adventurous spirit that would come to define their work during the same period.
Although Who Am I? never made it onto an official release (but available in several bootlegs) its creation process serves as a snapshot of the Rolling Stones during a transitional phase. The band’s evolving sound and ambition were still in the works, and this was one of the many songs that, for one reason or another, didn’t make the final cut. It may have been discarded, but the track remains a part of the Stones’ rich creative history—one that highlights their constant pursuit of musical exploration.
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