Living In A Ghost Town. The Rolling Stones

Rumours about The Rolling Stones spending time in the studio were around for years, but last year they seemed to become more trustworthy. I had expected a new album to be released with the start of the U.S. tour - that was of course cancelled, like everything has been in the past months for months to come.

In an ongoing discussion that is still happening, to be published on these pages later, I wrote yesterday about those moments on hearing a new song by a favourite band on the radio for the first time. I can remember several from when I was much younger. One of them was pirate station Radio Mi Amigo announcing the new Stones single of 1976, 'Hey Negrita', only to be wrong as a week later 'Fool To Cry' was released.

This morning I switched on the radio and heard a man asking to hear a song that he had only heard as a tinny version on his cell. Having missed the beginning of his request, I had no idea what he was requesting. It turned out to be the new Stones single that was released the night before. Seemingly out of nothing a new song was dropped. Well done. It is still possible to surprise the world.

As many Stones singles before this one, the first listen was a surprise. What is this? A reggae song. What should I make of it? I have heard enough up tempo Stones rockers as they almost never are as good as they used to be. That made 'Blue & Lonesome' such a delightful surprise.

So why the slight disappointment when the new single isn't a Stones rocker? As those are the standard I define Stones singles by. But are are my favourite singles of the past 40 odd years? 'Miss You', 'Has Anybody Seen My Baby', 'Saint Of Me', 'Waiting On A Friend', 'Love Is Strong'. Enough said? I guess so.

Having played Living In A Ghost Town several times in a row now, it may settle in this row of singles quite neatly. It has a Stones vibe that is simply excellent. The playing, once past Charlie Watts' solid drumming, is delicate. Typical Stones licks are flying around, but listen more closely and little single note strokes, muted strings and tiny solo's come by. There are absolutely no extra's involved. The only extravaganza is the ooh-ooh-ooh harmonies and Mick Jagger's harmonica solo. Let's not forget that he is excellent on the instrument.

Has Jagger changed the lyrics to fit the times? It appears so as who would predict a lockdown in 2019? The video is certainly extremely lockdownish.

Because of the title of the song I am remembered of 'Ghosttown', The Specials' 1981 hit single. In the soft, empty part of the The Stones single the two certainly meet.

There's one part in this single where Mick sings about the things we used to do, we used to hear when going to shows, clubs, festivals, where ever we used to go to hear music, that really hits home the situation where we find ourselves in. The Rolling Stones catching the sign of the times in 2020. Who could have thought?

The world has to wait until 28 June before the song is released physically. This suggest a rush streaming release. I am happy with it. The Rolling Stones have a very nice new song. And who knows, it may be the announcement to a new album early this summer.

If this release proves one thing, it is that even in one's 70s one can be relevant and even renewing oneself. The Stones just did in one big surprise. A nice push in the back for the world that is struggling about how to get out of this fix in the most sensible way possible, where there are no easy answers in sight.

Wo.


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