There are many pleasures of the Rolling Stones’ new box set 40th anniversary edition of “Tattoo You.”
Among my favorite tracks are “It’s a Lie” and “Drift Away,” the latter a cover of Dobie Gray’s 1973 hit. What I didn’t know is that “Drift Away” had an earlier life in the 60s, and that it was written by Mentor Williams, brother of legendary songwriter Paul Williams, whose credits include “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “An Old Fastioned Love Song,” among his many hits. What a family!
There’s a whole CD in the box of these outtakes and unreleased songs besides the remixed version of the original album and a live album. “Tattoo You,” for most Stones fans, was the last great album in 1981. The whole next chapter has some great moments, but it’s not the same. Even “Tattoo You” was sort of cobbled together and created by Mick Jagger. So glad he did it, though.
There’s also a great version of “Start Me Up” in the box set. I can’t find it on YouTube but I’m including the Spotify link. I do love my Rolling Stones, especially “Brown Sugar,” even the version with Eric Clapton that came out a few years ago.
It’s a Lie:
Drift Away:
Start Me Up:
