Wild Horses

The Zoo Crew is spinning the timeless track "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones from their iconic 1971 album Sticky Fingers, and Zoo Freaks, you’re in for some juicy trivia about this haunting ballad! Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song was first recorded over three days in December 1969 at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, but legal disputes with their former label delayed its release until 1971. Keith Richards originally penned "Wild Horses" as a lullaby for his newborn son, Marlon, capturing the heartache of leaving him for tour. However, Mick Jagger’s lyrical contributions shifted its tone, with many speculating it reflected his crumbling relationship with Marianne Faithfull. Faithfull herself claimed the line “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away” was the first thing she said to Jagger after waking from a six-day coma in 1969, though Jagger has denied the song is specifically about her, calling it a universal tale of emotional loss in the 1993 Jump Back liner notes. Interestingly, the song was first released in 1970 by Gram Parsons’ band, The Flying Burrito Brothers, on their album Burrito Deluxe, a year before the Stones’ version, as the band initially thought their demo wasn’t worth fully recording. Parsons, a close friend of Richards, added his country flair, and his version remains a fan favorite.

More trivia for you Zoo Freaks: the recording of "Wild Horses" had its quirks. Longtime Stones keyboardist Ian Stewart refused to play the piano part because he disliked minor chords, so session player Jim Dickinson stepped in, adding a distinctive honky-tonk touch. Mick Taylor’s acoustic guitar, tuned in Nashville style with higher-octave strings, gave the song its delicate, melancholic shimmer. The track’s raw emotion resonated widely, ranking #334 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, later climbing to #193 in 2021. Jagger’s ex-wife, Jerry Hall, even named it her favorite Stones song in 2007. The song’s legacy endures, with covers by artists like The Sundays and Guns N’ Roses, and its inclusion in films like Adaptation (2002). A 2015 acoustic version from the Sticky Fingers Deluxe Edition, shared on The Rolling Stones’ X account, gave fans a fresh take, highlighting its timeless pull. Keith Richards summed it up best in his 2010 autobiography Life: “It’s like ‘Satisfaction.’ You just dream it, and suddenly it’s all in your hands.”

Now, let’s rewind to how The Rolling Stones got their start, a story as gritty as their sound. Formed in London in 1962, the band—originally Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar), Brian Jones (multi-instrumentalist), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums)—emerged from the city’s burgeoning blues scene. Jagger and Richards, childhood friends who reconnected as teenagers, bonded over their love for American blues and rock pioneers like Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry. Jones, the early leader, named the band after Waters’ song “Rollin’ Stone,” and they began gigging in small clubs, playing covers of blues standards. By 1963, manager Andrew Loog Oldham pushed them to write original songs, sparking the Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership that would define their legacy. Their raw, rhythm-driven sound, rooted in blues and early rock, set them apart as pioneers of hard rock. The 1960s saw them evolve from scrappy cover artists to global icons, with hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” cementing their rebellious edge. Despite lineup changes—Jones’ departure and death in 1969, followed by Mick Taylor’s arrival for Sticky Fingers—the Stones’ resilience and creative force kept them rocking for over six decades, earning them the title of “the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world.”

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with The Rolling Stones on their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour dates, merch, and throwbacks like their 2023 post celebrating “Wild Horses” live from Newark, NJ. Fans also flock to sites like It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (IORR), a hub for Stones devotees with forums, setlists, and news. On Facebook, groups like The Rolling Stones Fan Club connect Zoo Freak-style fans worldwide, sharing memes, rare photos, and tour stories. Whether you’re spinning vinyl or streaming, the Stones’ raw energy and “Wild Horses” keep the rock’n’roll spirit alive!