Rocks Off

Recorded between December, 1971 and March 1972, "Rocks Off" is one of the many songs on the album that was recorded at Villa Nellcote, a house Keith Richards rented in the south of France.

The lyrics to the song are wide-ranging and harsh at times; even so Jagger's use of rich lyricism stands out:

“

The sunshine bores the daylights out of me. Chasing shadows moonlight mystery. Headed for the overload, Splattered on the dirty road. Kick me like you've kicked before, I can't even feel the pain no more

”

The song is possibly best remembered for its sudden divergence near the two minute fifteen second mark into what has been called a psychedelic jam of sorts, with Jagger's vocals electronically distorted and the guitar chords stretched;

“

Feel so hypnotized, can't describe the scene. It's all mesmerized all that inside me

”

The song's mix is notoriously haphazard, as many instruments, and even the lead vocals, fade in and out of prominence. The villa's basement, where many of the songs were recorded, was extremely hot and many of the guitars could not stay in tune as a result. Jimmy Miller produced the track, and it features session men Nicky Hopkins on piano, Jim Price and Bobby Keys on brass, as well as regular band members Jagger (lead vocals), Richards (backing vocals, guitar), Charlie Watts (drums), Mick Taylor (guitar), and Bill Wyman (bass).

A live recording was captured during the band's 2002-2003 Licks Tour and released on the 2004 live album Live Licks.

One of the most prominent and longest-running Rolling Stones internet fansites is named after the song. [1]