It might be hard to fathom, by former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman celebrated his 88th birthday today (October 24). Wyman, who was born William Perks, was several years older than the other members of the band when he joined the group in December 1962. He went on to spend more than 30 years with The Rolling Stones, and played on the band’s first 19 albums before officially departing the group in 1993.
During his years with The Rolling Stones, Wyman only wrote a couple of songs recorded by the band. While in The Stones, Wyman launched a solo career, releasing albums on a somewhat regular basis beginning in the 1970s. His solo releases showcased his songwriting talents and his lead vocals. Although he was no powerhouse as a singer, Wyman’s spoke-sung vocals weren’t without their appeal
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After quitting The Stones, Bill formed the blues-rock band Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, with whom he released a series of albums from the late 1990s into the 2010s. Earlier this year, Wyman released Drive My Car, his first new solo studio album in nine years.
In honor of Wyman’s birthday, here are four memorable original songs he wrote and sung, with The Stones and solo:
“In Another Land” – The Rolling Stones (1967)
“In Another Land” was one of only a couple songs Wyman wrote for The Rolling Stones. It also is the only Stones tune featuring him on lead vocals.
The song was included on the band’s 1967 foray into psychedelia, Their Satanic Majesties Request. The baroque-pop tune was released as the first single from the album, although it only reached No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100.
According to SongFacts.com, Wyman recorded the song on a day that he arrived at the studio to discover the session had been canceled. The Small Faces were recording in an adjacent studio, so Wyman tapped two of that group’s members, Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane, to sing backing vocals on the track. The song also features lauded session keyboardist Nicky Hopkins on harpsichord and piano.
The studio version of “In Another Land” ends with a recording of Wyman snoring. During the album sessions, Bill had fallen asleep in the studio one night, and his bandmates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had recorded him without him knowing it. They then added the snoring to the track as a joke.
The song lyrics are sung by a man who wakes from a dream to discover he’s in another dream.
“White Lightnin’” – Bill Wyman (1974)
Wyman released his debut solo album, Monkey Grip, in 1974. Among the standout tracks was “White Lightnin’,” a charming ode to moonshine whiskey.
The acoustic Americana gem is reminiscent of a laidback version of a T. Rex tune. Wyman played acoustic guitar and piano on the track. The song also featured the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s John McEuen on dobro and mandolin, and well-known session musician Danny Kortchmar on 12-string guitar.
“(Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star” – Bill Wyman (1981)
“(Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star” was Wyman’s biggest hit as solo artist. Released as a single in 1981, it peaked at No. 14 on the U.K. chart. The track also was included on Bill’s self-titled fifth solo album, which was released in April 1982.
Wyman originally wrote “Je Suis un Rock Star” for New Wave artist Ian Dury to record, but Dury wasn’t interested.
The danceable synth-pop tune features Wyman singing in a Cockney accent mixing French and English together. The tune’s lyrics are sung from the perspective a rock star who’s trying to use his status as a famous musician to coax a young Brazilian woman to travel with him to France for a romantic adventure.
“Come Back Suzanne” – Bill Wyman (1982)
“Come Back Suzanne” was another song from Wyman’s self-titled 1982 album. The quirky New Wave tune also enjoyed some minor chart success.
“Come Back Suzanne” is sung by a character whose life has quickly fallen apart after his romantic partner leaves him. Wyman shot a music video for the tune featuring him in a ridiculously messy kitchen as he begs his lover to return to him.