The Rolling Stones song that Mick Jagger didn’t want to play live
(Source: Far Out / Larry Rogers)
By the 1960s, the Rolling Stones had established themselves as a dangerous force. As the 1970s rolled around, their rampant antics were far from over, and they soon began the daunting task of prolonging their lascivious appeal. By 1972, the red-eyed, partying demonic presence had officially arrived, and its name was Exile on Main St.
exile was more than just an exercise in hedonistic and drug-fuelled themes; it also tested the minds of more conservative rock fans by drawing on variations of rhythm and blues, soul, swing, country and gospel. Although it was a clear extension of everything the Stones had to offer and their fixation on sex, exile represented both sides of the coin: Mick Jagger’s exhaustion with their previous rock framework and Keith Richards’ desire to add rawness to the roots rock sound.
As a result, many found the album to be too inconsistent, largely due to the way it vacillates between different visions and sounds. Others, however, found it revolutionary, as the ability to blend different sensibilities was not a sign of great weakness, but rather a testament to the band’s ongoing commitment to innovative techniques and boundary-pushing interests.
Despite diving headfirst into the unknown, something the Stones know all too well, Jagger wasn’t so sure about playing some of the songs live. While some songs, like “Tumbling Dice,” didn’t require any such thought, others, like “Loving Cup,” required a little more imagination. In fact, during the tour, Forty delicaciesJagger wanted to remove the song completely from the set.
“When we were preparing the set list for a show in Yokohama, Chuck Leavell suggested we play ‘Loving Cup,'” the musician recalled. “I didn’t want to play the tune and said, ‘Chuck, that’s going to die in Yokohama. I don’t even remember the damn song and nobody likes it. I’ve done it countless times in America; it doesn’t go down that well, it’s a very difficult song to sing and I’m sick of it!'”
To his surprise, however, the song ended up being exceptionally well-received, prompting him to reflect on how some of their songs have evolved and continue to resonate with new generations of listeners. “Chuck was like, ‘Stay in the mud!’ So I gave in and put it in the set list. And lo and behold, we went out and played the song and everyone started applauding,” Jagger said. “It just proves that some of these songs, over time, take on a certain existence or value that they never had when they were released.”
‘Loving Cup’ may have gotten lost in the mix of the Stones’ faster, more upbeat and more sophisticated songs, but its message was quickly received, probably due to its more calculated take on a tender love ballad. Considering that the band would also team up with Jack White for Martin Scorsese’s Let a light shineit is safe to say that this stunning piano-led performance has become a stunning beauty of rare beauty.
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