Description
The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers – Half Speed Mastered 180 Gram Vinyl Record
The Rolling Stones’ 1971 album “Sticky Fingers” is a landmark in rock music history, often hailed as one of the band’s most iconic and innovative works. Released on April 23, 1971, it marked the beginning of a new era for the Stones. This album was the first to be released on their newly-formed Rolling Stones Records label and introduced their now-famous tongue-and-lips logo, a symbol of their rebellious identity. Produced by longtime collaborator Jimmy Miller, “Sticky Fingers” encapsulates the raw energy, swagger, and musical versatility that the Stones had been cultivating throughout the 1960s, while also introducing more introspective and mature themes.
Musically, the album is a masterclass in blending genres, effortlessly merging rock, blues, country, and soul influences into a cohesive and dynamic collection of songs. It opens with the iconic “Brown Sugar,” a gritty, riff-heavy track that became a chart-topping hit despite its controversial lyrics. The album moves seamlessly into “Sway,” a bluesy and emotionally charged song featuring a blistering slide guitar solo by Mick Taylor, whose contributions to this record are often lauded as some of the finest of his tenure with the band. The tone then shifts with “Wild Horses,” a deeply poignant ballad that combines tender lyrics with a country-tinged melody, showcasing a softer side of the Stones while still maintaining their trademark edge.
“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” stands as one of the album’s most ambitious tracks. Starting with a raw, hard-driving riff from Keith Richards, it transitions into a nearly five-minute Latin-infused instrumental jam, complete with saxophone and percussion flourishes. This song exemplifies the band’s willingness to experiment and stretch beyond conventional rock structures. The blues roots of the Stones are brought to the forefront on their cover of “You Gotta Move,” a stripped-down, haunting rendition of the Mississippi Fred McDowell classic that underscores their deep reverence for American blues traditions.
The second half of the album continues to push boundaries. “Bitch” introduces a horn section, infusing the song with a soulful, gritty energy, while “I Got the Blues” dives into slow-burning, Stax-style soul, complete with emotive vocals from Mick Jagger and a Hammond organ accompaniment. One of the most haunting tracks on the album, “Sister Morphine,” co-written with Marianne Faithfull, is a stark ballad about addiction, featuring a haunting slide guitar performance by Ry Cooder. Its stark, somber tone contrasts sharply with the sardonic country-rock swagger of “Dead Flowers,” a song that blends twangy guitars with biting, ironic lyrics aimed at high-society pretension.
The album concludes with “Moonlight Mile,” a lush and introspective track that stands as one of the Stones’ most emotionally resonant pieces. Featuring strings and a dreamy arrangement, it closes the record on a reflective and almost ethereal note, leaving listeners with a sense of the band’s evolution both musically and thematically.
Sticky Fingers is as much about the music as it is about the culture and imagery surrounding it. Its provocative album art, designed by Andy Warhol, features a close-up photo of a man’s jeans with a working zipper. Upon unzipping, a hidden image of underwear was revealed, a bold and controversial choice for the time. This daring design perfectly complemented the hedonistic themes that run throughout the album, from its overt explorations of sex and drugs to its moments of vulnerability and longing.
The album’s impact was immediate and far-reaching. It topped the charts in both the US and UK, earning critical acclaim for its musical diversity and lyrical depth. Tracks like Brown Sugar, “Wild Horses,” and “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” have become enduring classics, staples of the Stones’ live performances and testaments to their status as one of rock’s greatest bands. “Sticky Fingers” not only reflected the decadent spirit of the early 1970s but also solidified the Rolling Stones’ place as pioneers of rock music who could innovate while staying true to their roots.
Over fifty years later, Sticky Fingers remains a defining moment in the Stones’ career. It captures the band at a creative peak, balancing the raw energy of their early work with a newfound sophistication and emotional complexity. Whether it’s through the swagger of “Brown Sugar,” the soulful vulnerability of “Wild Horses,” or the experimental brilliance of “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” this album continues to resonate with listeners and stands as a timeless testament to the Rolling Stones’ enduring legacy.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Brown Sugar
Sway
Wild Horses
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
You Gotta Move
Bitch
I Got The Blues
Sister Morphine
Dead Flowers
Moonlight Mile
