Little T&A

Kickin' it with the Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew's spinnin' "Little T&A" from The Rolling Stones' iconic Tattoo You album, and this track’s got some gritty stories behind it. Keith Richards, who takes lead vocals, penned this raw rocker as a nod to the fleeting, wild nights with groupies he’d meet on tour. In a 1981 chat with Rolling Stone, Keith spilled that the song—short for “tits and ass”—was about “every good time I’ve had with somebody I’d met for a night or two and never seen again.” The track, originally titled “Bulldog,” was cooked up during the Emotional Rescue sessions in 1979 at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas but got shelved. It wasn’t until 1981, when the band was piecing together Tattoo You, that Keith dusted it off, giving it a rockabilly edge that made it a fan favorite. Fun fact: the song’s actual title never appears in the lyrics—instead, Keith belts out “she’s my little rock & roll,” keeping listeners hooked on its sleazy charm.

The recording process for "Little T&A" had its own drama, reflecting the band’s tense dynamics at the time. By 1981, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were in a bit of a cold war, with egos clashing. When the Stones played this track live on their ‘81 tour, Keith made it his moment to shine, reportedly insisting Mick take a hike offstage during the performance, adding some passive-aggressive flair to the setlist. The track’s raw energy comes from its lineup: Keith and Ronnie Wood on electric guitars, Charlie Watts on drums, and possibly Keith or Bill Wyman on bass, with Ian Stewart laying down piano. A Reddit user on r/ClassicRock noted a cheeky coincidence—Keith’s daughters are named Theodora and Alexandra, making “T&A” a sly wink years later, though Keith’s said the song was inspired by his then-girlfriend Patti Hansen.

The Rolling Stones got their start in 1962 in London, born out of a shared love for blues and rhythm-and-blues. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, childhood mates who reconnected over music, teamed up with Brian Jones, a multi-instrumentalist with a vision to blend raw blues with rock. They began as “The Rollin’ Stones,” gigging in London’s gritty clubs, covering tunes by Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry. Bill Wyman joined on bass, Charlie Watts brought his jazz-infused drumming, and Ian Stewart rounded things out on piano. Their early days were about hustle—playing tiny venues like the Crawdaddy Club, where their sweaty, rebellious energy caught the eye of manager Andrew Loog Oldham. He polished their bad-boy image, pushing them to write originals, which led to hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in 1965. The band’s gritty sound and defiant vibe made them icons of the ‘60s British Invasion, evolving over decades into the world’s most enduring rock act.

You can keep up with The Rolling Stones on their official website, where they share tour dates, merch, and news about releases like the 40th-anniversary edition of Tattoo You. They’re active on Facebook, posting throwbacks and tour updates, and on Instagram, where you’ll find behind-the-scenes shots and iconic stage moments. Their X account keeps the vibe raw with fan interactions and quick updates. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with fellow fans, check out the r/rollingstones subreddit, a lively spot for album debates and tattoo ideas, or join the IORR (It’s Only Rock’n’Roll) fan forum, where diehards trade setlists and stories. The fan-run Rolling Stones Data site is a goldmine for deep dives into song histories like "Little T&A", complete with session details and quotes.