So lately I’ve been going a bit overboard on late ’70s/early ’80s Rolling Stones. You won’t find many folks who’d say this is their strongest era – ‘Exile on Main Street’ perennially sits atop my all-time favorite albums list – but the oceanic divide between Mick Jagger’s increasing obsession with disco, celebrity and fashion and Keith Richards’ increasing obsession with not really caring make for some pretty endearing, if not bizarre, tunes.
The contrast couldn’t be more clear and ridiculous than on 1978’s “Shattered,” a grimy ode to New York City. Really, what is going on here? And why can’t I stop listening? Tongue-in-cheek, campy, overblown, underthought, call it whatever you want – they made some great stuff in this era, particularly the two songs I’ve featured below. The mock-country “Far Away Eyes” in particular hasn’t left my head in a week.
“Far Away Eyes” (from 1978’s ‘Some Girls’)
“Waiting on a Friend” (from 1981’s ‘Tattoo You’)
This one isn’t the Stones or a particularly good song, but worth noting here for purely comical purposes…
Mick Jagger and David Bowie – “Dancing in the Street” (from a 1985 Live Aid charity single)
Any other bands whose mid-career output deserves a second look?
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