3 Songs Mick Jagger and Keith Richards Wrote for Their Contemporaries

Paul McCartney and John Lennon, as well as Brian and Denis Wilson, are two of the more iconic songwriting partnerships of the 60s. However, you can’t forget about Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Sometimes the songwriting majesty of Richards and Jagger can be overshadowed given their intense and electrifying stage presence. These two guys were also heavy-hitting songwriters. And not just for themselves, but for other artists as well.

Videos by American Songwriter

Writing songs for other artists is an age-old tradition. That being said, it is no surprise that Richards and Jagger shared their talents with the greater rock and roll community. As a matter of fact, they didn’t just share their talents, but they also helped these three artists garner success thanks to the songs they wrote for them.

“That Girl Belongs To Yesterday” by Gene Pitney

Just the title of this song sounds like a Rolling Stones tune, doesn’t it? Well, it was, until it wasn’t. In 1964, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger gifted Gene Pitney one of his most popular songs. Pitney released the single in 1964, and it peaked at no. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Also, thanks to this song, Jagger and Richards scored their first-ever appearance on an American chart. Keep in mind that prior to this release, The Stones had released “Come On” and “I Wanna Be Your Man”.

“Shang A Doo Lang” by Adrienne Posta

It seems Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were on a songwriting tear in 1964. They also wrote the song “Shang a Doo Lang” for Adrienne Posta that year. After Posta released the single, it became one of the acclaimed actress’ more notable singles.

The single is a quintessential 60s swing-dancing and pop tune. A genre and style of music that The Rolling Stones rarely toiled in. That being so, this song is an example of how talented Richards and Jagger are, as they can emulate any artist’s given style.

“Will You Be My Lover Tonight/It Should Be You” by George Bean

Before Jagger, Richards, and The Rolling Stones hit it big on their own, it seems the duo had a promising career as commercial songwriters. In addition to Posta’s single, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger also wrote the pop music song, “Will You Be My Lover Tonight/It Should Be You”, for George Bean.

The song never acquired much notoriety and has remained rather obscure. Though, it just further shows that Jagger and Richards can write for anyone, in any style, no matter how much it juxtaposes their personal taste. They were and still are just that good.

Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images