Mick Jagger is visibly intense and uneasy in this track, delivering a sharp, direct riff that anchors the mood from the first moment. The lyrics speak to intimate frustration: “It hasn’t rained for a month, the river has dried up / We haven’t made love and I want to know why.” The performance captures a raw craving that fans associate with the band’s late-60s and early-70s era, highlighting the tension between longing and restraint that defines much of their work.
‘Come closer’
Petulant rock energy collides with a guest piano by Elton John, while Jagger’s insomnia becomes a theme that fuels the performance. The singer on return to the microphone conveys a sense of urgency and vulnerability, admitting a personal bargain with temptation: “I made a bargain with the devil, I need heaven for one night.” The result is a charged plea that blends swagger with a fragile plea for relief, a balance the Stones have long exploited to thrilling effect.
‘It depends on you’
This semi-ballad elevates the emotional stakes with acoustic guitars, a resonant “steel” sound, and a Hammond organ pad credited to Benmont Tench, layered with a lush string arrangement in the final passages. It stands as a strong representation of the era’s Stones, bearing the mark of the seventies while still sounding immediacy and relevance in a modern listen.
‘Bite my head’
The mood shifts to a more rebellious edge as the band tears into the riff and lets loose with intensity. Jagger channels a burst of temper, and the arrangement pushes into louder, distorted bass that carries a grungier feel. The closing section unfolds with Ron Wood taking the lead, creating a final, raw moment that emphasizes spontaneity and power.
‘Around the world’
The Stones look back on Detroit with a crushing, driving groove reminiscent of the era, a riff that nods to Iggy Pop’s abrasive energy. The lyrics speak of a shattered urban landscape, observing streets that carry the weight of memory: “The streets I pass through are full of broken glass / And everywhere I look there are memories of the past.” The track combines propulsion with reflective mood, yielding a compelling contrast.
‘Dreamy sky’
A shift in mood brings a melancholic counterpoint to the band’s muscular rock. The ensemble evokes a longing for earlier radio days and country influences, hinting at Hank Williams while delivering steel guitar textures over a bluesy core. The result is a steamy, emotionally open track that lingers long after the chorus.
‘Ruin’
The groove returns with a cool, entertaining choir and a renewed sense of energy. Charlie Watts delivers brisk, upbeat drumming that drives the song forward, while the overall atmosphere feels revitalized and triumphant. It’s a moment of renewal that sits well within the band’s broader catalog.
‘Live by the sword’
Here, Watts is joined by Bill Wyman, marking a notable return to the studio dynamic that hadn’t been fully present in years. The Stones channel a fiery, almost battle-ready rock mindset, with Elton John’s piano adding bright color to the fabric. The track becomes a showcase for ensemble strength and historical echo.
‘You push me too hard’
The midsection intensifies with thick guitar textures as Jagger wrestles with a relationship that tests his sanity. The performance blends direct confrontation with melodic hooks, creating a balance between tension and accessibility that remains engaging from start to finish.
‘Tell the truth’
Keith Richards takes a traditional vocal stance on this meditation on honesty and time, yet the arrangement avoids predictability. The piece unfolds with a contemplative mood and harmonies that feel understated rather than showy, offering a genuine reflection on life and love that resonates beyond the moment.
‘Sweet sounds of heaven’
A turning point unfolds in an ethereal, seven-plus-minute journey. Jagger and Lady Gaga lift the voices over a bluesy rhythm, enriched by gospel-tinged brass and Stevie Wonder’s keyboard lines. The result is a transcendent peak that blends rock with soulful uplift, creating a rarefied moment within the album.
‘Rolling Stone blues’
Closing the arc, the band returns to their blues roots with a nod to Muddy Waters, the musician who helped inspire the group’s name back in 1962. The arrangement tightens around Richards’s raw guitar and Jagger’s remembered harmonica skills, offering a compact homage to the band’s origin while reaffirming their enduring voice.