| "Slave" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by The Rolling Stones from the album Tattoo You | ||||
| Released | 24 August 1981 | |||
| Recorded | January-February 1975, June 1981 | |||
| Genre | Blues rock | |||
| Length | 6:33 | |||
| Label | Rolling Stones/Virgin | |||
| Writer | Jagger/Richards | |||
| Producer | The Glimmer Twins | |||
| Tattoo You track listing | ||||
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"Slave" is a song by The Rolling Stones on their 1981 album Tattoo You.
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Slave" was originally written and recorded for 1975's Black and Blue. Initial recordings took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. During that time, the Rolling Stones were faced with the unexpected position of filling the recently vacated position of second guitarist, after the abrupt departure of Mick Taylor. Jeff Beck, a prospective replacement recorded on guitar, and Nicky Hopkins provided piano. However these were both erased from the final take in June 1981, with only Billy Preston's organ lasting through. The Who's Pete Townshend provided backing vocals for the recording and one of saxophonist Sonny Rollins' three performances on tracks for the album appeared as well.
Called "...a standard Stones blues jam" in the album review by Rolling Stone, "Slave" was the result of the Stones' experiments with funk and dance music during the Black and Blue recording sessions of 1975. The lyrics are sparse outside of a brief spoken verse by Jagger and the refrain of "Don't want to be your slave". Richards eventually provided guitars for the song, with Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman supporting on drums and bass, respectively.
The CD version of "Slave" contains an addition of 90 seconds to the song. It was never performed by the Stones on stage and appears on no compilation albums.