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This week’s Song of the Week is the brilliant Rolling Stones ballad “Angie.” “Angie” is arguably the Rolling Stones’ finest ballad. It was released as a single, backed with “Silver Train,” in August 1973, and also appeared on the band’s 11th studio album “Goats Head Soup“, which was released a couple of weeks later.

The Rolling Stones – “Angie”

There have been conflicting stories about the inspiration for the song. Some believe that it was named after David Bowie’s wife Angela, whom Mick Jagger had an affair with, but Jagger has denied this. A more credible explanation seems to be that Richards contributed the name to the lyric after his daughter Angela was born.

“Angie” is still a highlight of the Rolling Stones’ live show to this day and has appeared on the live albums “Stripped” (1995) and “Live Licks” (2004).

Authorship

“Angie” was composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Recording date/location

The Rolling Stones recorded “Angie” at the Dynamic Sound Studio, Kingston, Jamaica, in November and December 1972.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on “Angie”:

• Mick Jagger – vocals
• Keith Richards – guitar
• Mick Taylor – guitar
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass guitar
• Nicky Hopkins – piano.

The strings were arranged by Nicky Harrison.

Chart performance

“Angie” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 14, 1973 and stayed there for one week. The single repeated this number one success in many countries, including Australia where it was at the top for five weeks. “Angie” peaked at number five in the UK.

The album on which “Angie” appeared, “Goats Head Soup”, hit number one in the US and the UK.

Original magazine ad for the “Angie” single (Billboard Sep 8, 1973)

Covers

Womack & Womack – “Angie”

“Angie” was the only cover song on Womack & Womack’s debut album “Love Wars” in 1983. They turn the song into a soulful duet.

Womack & Womack were Cecil and Linda Womack. Cecil had been singing since the 1960s when he was in a gospel group called The Valentinos who were protégés of the great Sam Cooke. Linda Womack is Cecil’s wife and the daughter of Sam Cooke.

Stereophonics – “Angie”

Welsh rockers Stereophonics covered “Angie” on the B-side of their hit single “Hurry Up and Wait” in 1999. The cover is faithful to the Stones’ arrangement, but stripped back with only lead singer Kelly Jones and an acoustic guitar, presumably also played by Jones. “Hurry Up and Wait” was taken from the band’s album “Performance and Cocktail.” “Angie” did not appear on the original album, but will appear on 2-CD deluxe and 3-CD super deluxe versions of the album that are due out on October 18 in the UK.

There will be a new Song of the Week on September 27.

“Angie” is available on the album “Goats Head Soup” and “Jump Back: The Best Of The Rolling Stones: ’71-’93.” Remastered versions of both were released last year.

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Jump Back: The Best Of The Rolling Stones: ’71-’93 (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now