Behind The Making Of "Some Girls": When The Rolling Stones Embraced Controversy and Somehow Got Even More Famous
By Sarah Norman | October 3, 2023
True Controversy.
The Rolling Stones is a rock band that was formed in 1962 and has been active since 1964. The band consists of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood. They have released many albums and singles throughout their career but the most controversial album goes to be "Some Girls."
The Rolling Stones' 1978 album Some Girls was largely inspired by the punk movement, and it wasn't well-received by many of the band's fans or critics at the time. But the record sold extremely well and has since become one of their most revered works.
They knew that to stay relevant, they had to do something different. They took inspiration from a burgeoning youth movement and made an album that was unlike anything else on the radio at the time. It paid off: "Some Girls" has since been hailed as one of the band's best albums.
Punk may have been dead by 1978, but The Rolling Stones weren't about to let that stop them–and in doing so, they created one of their most innovative and beloved albums.
The Stones have always been known for their ability to reinvent themselves, and they did it again in the 1980s when they recorded Dirty Work.
This album was a departure from the band’s classic sound, but fans loved it anyway. The Rolling Stones still have a huge following today; some people even say that they are better than ever!
'Some Girls' is a strange album. It’s hard to pin down what the band was trying to do with it. But that’s precisely why it works so well. The album sounds like it was made by a bunch of guys who were bored and wanted to have some fun for once.
The Stones were at a crossroads, and it was called Rock and Roll.
The band had been through a lot in the previous decade: drugs, lawsuits, deaths, and other issues that made them question their relationship with each other and with their audience.
They seemed to be at a crossroads in their careers when they started work on Some Girls. The punk movement was gaining momentum in London at the time, and it had left an impression on Mick Jagger; he wanted to incorporate some of its energy into his songwriting for this album.
He also wanted to explore new sounds—and he did so by working with disco producer Nile Rodgers on "Miss You" and other tracks like "Shattered."
Mick Jagger was the authority on counter-culture in rock and roll.
There was another reason why Jagger was interested in incorporating disco elements into his music: it was something he had never done before—and he knew it would upset many people who loved him for being such a rebel.
He figured that if he could get people talking about him again through controversy (as opposed to whatever he was doing in the late 1970s), it would make him relevant again.
Surround yourself and your business with people who want to be inspired by your unconventional and unique approach.
Jagger was right: when “Miss You” came out and people heard it, they were shocked by how different it sounded from everything else on the radio—and they had to talk about it. It’s an old trick, but it still works: when you have a new idea—or a new way of doing something—you have to push people out of their comfort zones. The more extreme your approach is, the better.
The song was a hit, and Jagger’s next album, “Emotional Rescue,” wasn’t far behind. But getting people to talk about you isn’t just about being controversial; it’s also about being interesting. If your audience can predict what they’re going to hear from you every time, then they won’t care when you do something different—because it doesn’t matter.
This is a lesson that many artists can learn from: if you want to be truly relevant, do something different. It doesn’t have to be something as crazy as incorporating disco into rock music—but it should be something that will get people talking. And talk they did. The song was a hit, and the Stones were back in the spotlight.
What did the Rolling Stones do when they were bored? They invented Pool Sharks.
The album was recorded in New York City at the Record Plant Studios by producer Jimmy Miller, who had previously worked with the Stones on Sticky Fingers (1971).
While recording Some Girls, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards were taking breaks from recording to play pool and hang out with their friends. According to Richards, they were "totally bored" during the sessions.
The band did not want to repeat themselves, which is why they changed up their sound.
The band wanted to try something different after their previous album, Black and Blue (1976), which had failed commercially.
To make matters worse, they were under pressure from their manager Allen Klein to record an album that would sell well in order to pay off some debts he had incurred while managing them earlier in his career.
The Story Behind The Album.
Behind the iconic music was a very real story of friendship between Jet and Tyna.
The two were best friends who later in life had very different paths — Tyna inspired Jet to take her solo career to fame. Now that's true friendship right there.
The album is full of nostalgia and good vibes. It’s got a very relaxed feel to it, but at the same time, there are a few songs that are pretty upbeat. Some Girls is an album you can put on anytime and enjoy — whether you’re having a bad day or just need some background noise while you do whatever else you have to do.
The comeback album that revitalized their career and brought them to new heights of success.
Not only did "Some Girls" land at number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 200 Chart, but it also went triple platinum in the US and topped the charts in five countries.
It was the band’s first album to feature female backing vocalists. The album was met with critical and commercial success and spawned several hit singles.
Rebellious Spirit.
Critics praised its rebellious spirit and unforgettable tunes.
Some Girls has continued to resonate throughout decades of rock history - influencing subsequent musicians with its infectious energy, free-wheeling sound, and wry humor.
Today, 43 years after its initial release, this timeless album still serves as a perfect reflection of rock music’s defining era.
The Pioneers of Rock Music.
In the studio, The Stones took a different approach, for the first time since their early days in the 1960s, the band members wrote and recorded their own material.
This allowed them to have more control over the sound of the record, which they had not had with their previous albums.
The band members were also able to experiment with different musical styles and draw influence from other genres such as punk, disco, and reggae.
Some Girls' cover art features Bowie-esque models dressed in drag and holding guns; this caused controversy because it was perceived as sexist by some people who felt that women shouldn't be portrayed like this or depicted wielding weapons (even fake ones).
And that's why they almost scrapped the song.
The recording process for “Some Girls” was not without its difficulties. The band had to overcome several technical issues, including a faulty tape machine and a lack of recording space.
Despite these obstacles, The Rolling Stones still managed to create an album that was both musically and lyrically sophisticated.
Their dedication and passion have left us with other iconic albums from the band. With all of us facing our own unique set of obstacles these days, The Rolling Stones offers an important reminder to keep striving no matter what.
The key to the album's sound? Running tape and recording everything.
The album came about in different ways for each member of the band. Keith Richards recorded his parts in Paris while his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg was pregnant with their child.
Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood worked on their parts at sessions in Montreux, Switzerland, while Charlie Watts recorded his parts in London at RAK Studios.
If you want a more lasting sound, think about what will resonate with people over time.
The unique sound of "Some Girls" came from producer Jimmy Miller, who wanted to make an album that reflected the times—even though he didn't think disco would last very long. He said: "I thought it was trendy and I knew what would be popular."
The recording sessions for "Miss You" were particularly interesting because they took place over three days, during which time the band members weren't able to see each other due to conflicting schedules. Instead, they communicated through intermediaries who passed along messages about what needed to be done next.
Only One Take.
By the third day, when the band members finally met up again, they recorded the song in only one take. This was largely because they had spent so much time practicing it together beforehand that they knew exactly what to do.
The song is written in the key of Eb Major, and it has a tempo of 88 beats per minute. It has been described as having an "exuberant" sound that's reminiscent of Motown music from the 1960s.
You could call it a comeback, but the truth is they never went away.
Other singles from the album included “Beast of Burden” and “Shattered.” Both songs were more traditionally Rolling Stones-style rock songs, and both were huge hits. In fact, “Shattered” was the first song ever to be played on MTV when that channel launched in 1981.
The album's most controversial track “Some Girls,” featured lyrics about their seedy lives. The song was met with criticism due to its lyrical content, but it remains one of the band’s most beloved songs.
Featuring Mick Taylor.
The song has been covered by multiple artists, including Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, who made it a hit in 1981. It was also featured on the soundtrack for the movie "Shrek 2" in 2004.
The album was the group's first to feature Mick Taylor on guitar, and it marked the end of an era. The Rolling Stones released seven albums in five years, but they wouldn't release another until "Emotional Rescue" in 1980.
Most famous rock band.
It's no secret that the Rolling Stones are one of the most famous rock bands in history. Their music has been played by countless bands and artists, and their concerts are legendary.
But what you may not know is that the Rolling Stones have been an inspiration for many artists in a variety of different fields, from music to fashion.
The Combination of Critical and Commercial Success.
Overall, “Some Girls” is considered to be one of The Rolling Stones’ most successful albums. It was a critical and commercial success and is still beloved by fans today.
The combination of musical experimentation, catchy songs, and controversial lyrics made the album one of the most influential of the 1970s.
Fan of Pop Culture.
They've released 22 studio albums over their long career, with their best-known songs including "Satisfaction," "Paint It Black," and "Gimme Shelter."
They've also been featured in countless films and TV shows over the years, which means that if you're a fan of pop culture, chances are you've seen them at least once. If you're not a fan of pop culture, then… well, maybe you should be!
