4 Little-Known Tidbits Behind the Making of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Steel Wheels’

Is it the best album in The Rolling Stones’ history? Probably not, although it probably could make a case for the Top 10. But we’d argue that Steel Wheels, released in 1989, ranks as one of the most important albums in the group’s history.

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After all, this was the LP that helped them get over one of the roughest patches in group history. Here are four little-known tidbits behind the making of this record.

What Did You Say?

Steel Wheels came on the heels of one of the most rancorous stretches within The Rolling Stones’ time together. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had been waging a subtle battle for control of the group since the late 70s. That battle flared up into open warfare for a couple of years right before the band reconvened for this album. And the choice of the lead single spoke volumes. Although credited to Jagger/Richards, “Mixed Emotions” mostly came from Richards’ songwriting pen. The title is either a Freudian slip or a sly bit of wordplay from Keith. After all, if you say it fast enough, “Mixed Emotions” can sound like “Mick’s Emotions” or even “Mick’s Demotion”.

Mick’s Axe

The Rolling Stones have always benefited from a twin-guitar approach that deepens their sound immensely. Keith Richards has always been the stalwart. Over the years, he was joined by Brian Jones, Mick Taylor, and finally Ron Wood as his axe-slinging cohorts. That didn’t leave a lot of room for any other guitars in the mix. But behind the scenes, Mick Jagger developed his guitar playing to where it was much more than just a songwriting aid. In fact, Jagger played more guitar on Steel Wheels than on any other band record to that point. That’s him playing the lead riff on “Hearts For Sale”. And the guitar blast on “Sad Sad Sad” that starts the album? It might sound like Keith, but it’s actually Mick.

Oh Brother

Chris Jagger has somehow stayed active in a variety of different media while also staying below the radar. As a musician and the brother of Mick Jagger, he has never horned in and tried to collaborate with his brother on any high-profile projects (although they have recorded together at various times). In addition to his work as a musician, Chris Jagger has also acted and worked as a journalist. And by all accounts, he and his brother have remained very close. In the Steel Wheels credits, you’ll see mention of Chris as a “literary editor” for a pair of tracks, including the baroque pop throwback “Blinded By Love”. We’re guessing that means he helped Mick with the content of the lyrics for those songs.

A Leftover Beauty

In 1988, Keith Richards released his first solo album, Talk Is Cheap. By the time that it was released in October of that year, he and Mick Jagger had already begun the process of writing for Steel Wheels. But people who heard the biting track “You Don’t Move Me”, a nasty takedown of Mick, likely thought the bad blood was still very much in existence. Richards also wrote the basics of “Almost Hear You Sigh” for Talk Is Cheap, but it didn’t make it through the final cut. He brought it to Jagger during their sessions for Steel Wheels. Jagger took lead vocals on this song of tortured love, which was released as the third single from the record.

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