Slave

The Rolling Stones

About Slave

"Slave" is a song by The Rolling Stones on their 1981 album Tattoo You. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Slave" was originally recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands (under the working title, "Vagina"), using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio in late January or early February 1975. During that time, the Rolling Stones were faced with the unexpected challenge of filling the recently vacated position of second guitarist, after the abrupt departure of Mick Taylor. The track features Billy Preston on electric piano and organ (although the organ could also have been played by Ian Stewart). The Who's Pete Townshend provided backing vocals for the recording and one of saxophonist Sonny Rollins' three performances on tracks for the album appeared as well. Percussion by Ollie E. Brown was recorded in 1975, with Mike Carabello adding conga during the 1981 overdub sessions. Called "...a standard Stones blues jam" in the album review by Rolling Stone, "Slave" was the result of the Stones' experiments with funk and dance music during the Black and Blue recording sessions of 1974/75. The lyrics are sparse outside of a brief spoken verse by Jagger and the refrain of "Don't want to be your slave". Keith Richards provide the electric guitar part for the song, with Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman supporting on drums and bass, respectively. 


Year:
1981
6:32
281 
#3

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Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave

Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave

Twenty-four hours a day
Hey, why don't you go down to the supermarket, get something to eat
Steal something of the shelves
Pass by the liquor store, be back about quarter to twelve

Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave (go, baby)
Don't want to be your slave (yeah)
Don't want to be your slave (go, baby)
Don't want to be your slave (yeah, baby)

(Go, yeah, go, baby, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave

Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave
Don't want to be your slave

Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it

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The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in Dartford in 1962. The earliest settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Since Wyman's retirement in 1993, the band's full members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975. Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) are regular contributors but not full band members. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Rolling Stones in 1989, noting that "critical acclaim and popular consensus has accorded them the title of the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 4… more »

26 fans

Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Song Basics
"Slave" is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones. - It was included in their 1981 album "Tattoo You."
Composition
The song has a prominent rhythm section including jazz influences, which were rare in Rolling Stones' songs. - It famously features a percussion and organ-heavy rhythm track and pronounced use of the electric piano.
Contributors
Although the song was credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song's creation was mainly driven by Richards. - Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts is absent from the recording of "Slave." Instead, it features Jagger on percussion, and Ollie E. Brown and Michael Shrieve on drums. - Additionally, the song features Pete Townshend from The Who and noted jazz musician Sonny Rollins.
Recording History
The instrumental base for "Slave" was recorded in the late-70's Rotary Sound Studios in Paris (1975 session) and later built upon during the Tattoo You sessions between October and November 1980. - The song was one of the older outtake songs reworked for the Tattoo You album.
Reception
Although it was not released as a commercial single, "Slave" has been praised for its instrumentation and stylistic departure from typical Rolling Stones songs. - The song showcases The Rolling Stones' ability to effectively incorporate different musical genres and styles into their own unique sound.
Significance
"Slave" stands out amongst the Rolling Stones' discography not only for its unique sound, but also the collaboration with icons like Pete Townshend and Sonny Rollins in its creation. - It's a classic example of the band's experimentation with a variety of musical styles, talent, and creative processes.
Music Analysis
The song is written in the key of F# minor and it follows a blues-influenced chord progression throughout its numerous solos. - Particularly, Rollins' saxophone interplay with the band has received significant attention from listeners and critics.

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