Did You Know About The Song?
In December 2015, The Rolling Stones convened at Mark Knopfler’s British Grove Studios in West London to work on their next album, following their 2005 release, “A Bigger Bang.” However, after a few days, they encountered a creative roadblock. Don Was, the band’s producer since 1994, recounted their experience to the BBC, saying, “We had entered the studio with the intention of recording new songs. But by the third day, we found ourselves stuck, hitting a creative wall. Keith then suggested that we should refresh our creative minds by playing ‘Blue and Lonesome,’ the Little Walter song. Luckily, we played the track, and it was absolutely fantastic.”
“The entire atmosphere in the studio underwent a dramatic transformation in those three and a half minutes,” Was continued. “So we decided to play another song, and then another. They spontaneously selected songs they knew and loved. By the end of the day, we had recorded six tracks.”
Within three days, they had amassed enough material for a covers album.
This melancholic melody was originally recorded by blues artist Memphis Slim in 1949. It marked his second significant R&B chart success after “Messin’ Around.” Harmonica virtuoso Little Walter also recorded a rendition of it as the B-side to his 1965 single, “Mean Ole Frisco.”
“Blue And Lonesome” secured The Rolling Stones their 12th UK #1 album, their first since “Voodoo Lounge” in 1994.
Video
Lyrics
I’m blue and lonesome as a man can be
I’m blue and lonesome yeah, as a man can be
I don’t have no headaches about myself
My love has gone away from meBaby, please, baby, please come back to me
Baby, please come on home to me
Yeah, my heart is full of misery
Baby, you won’t be sweet to meYeah, I’m gonna cast my trouble
Down in the deep blue sea
Yeah, I’m gonna cast my trouble, yeah
Down in the deep blue sea
Where the whales and the fishes
Have no fuss over me