Comments, input and alterations are very welcome!
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Can’t Be Seen
(Mick Jagger / Keith Richards)

Air Studios, Montserrat, West Indies, March 29 - May 5, 1989 and
Olympic Sound Studios, London, UK, May 15 - June 29, 1989

Keith Richards - lead vocals, backing vocals, electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ron Wood - electric guitar
Chuck Leavell - Wurlitzer piano, organ
Matt Clifford - clavinet
Luis Jardim - percussion
Bernard Fowler - backing vocals

I, I just can't be seen with you, I admit it anyway
Yeah, I just got obscene with you, yeah
I, I don't stand a chance with you, I never did anyway
I, I can't even sleep with you, I'd always be awake, baby, baby, yeah
I just can't be seen with you, it's for your own sake
You're better off anyway, yeah, it's too dangerous baby, yeah
It's too dangerous, I just can't be seen with you

They set us up so they can shoot us down, yeah
Put us six feet underground, yeah, it’s just too deep for me, baby

Oh yeah, I just can't be seen with you, although it hurts me to say
Yeah, it was just a dream with you, yeah, because you're married anyway, hey, oh shit
Yeah, babe I don't stand a chance with ya, hey, oh, you're better off this way
It's hit and run anyway, it's just too dangerous baby

I just can’t be, yes, I gotta chill this thing with you
I just can’t be, yeah, yeah, it's too dangerous, baby
I just can’t be, baby, it's just too much for you
I just can’t be, I just can't be seen, nowhere around you, baby
I just can’t be, it's too dangerous, it's just too dangerous, baby
I just can’t be, even in the dark
I just can’t be, yes, I got to chill with you
I just can’t be
I just can’t be, I just can’t get used…

Produced by Chris Kimsey & The Glimmer Twins

First released on:
The Rolling Stones - “Steel Wheels” LP
(CBS 465752-1) UK, August 28, 1989

always wondered whom his singing about?

I've always enjoyed the witty lyrics of this song!

This is the best track on Flash Point. "Let's cut out the crap"

The bridge is killer! Keith's best singing ever.

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DandelionPowderman
The bridge is killer! Keith's best singing ever.

dont think its his best vocal performance. i dont like when he's "pressing" too much to reach the high notes.
i prefer him relaxed and lower (deep) voiced...

It was good to hear that he rehearsed it again in '07.Maybe,if there are any more Stones' concerts ( perhaps a theater show ),he could pair " Can't Be Seen " with " Coming Down Again ". That would be a great fast/slow 1-2 punch.

not a great classic thing, but still good.
the lyrics... I'm not saying they're good at all... but they're very special.

never liked it, never will

Why not?

Love it!

hard to say - a song that just doesn't move me. most of steel wheels has the same effect, too. live versions were even worse - bathroom break stuff.

What about Mixed Emotions? The rest...with a weak exception to AHYS is subpar

ahys and break the spell are the only two trax that work for me. mixed emotions is an overwrought piece of shite, imo.....a decent little half-riff that quickly degenerates into nothing....

Actually, if you play Mixed Emotions loud, great guitar work can be heard.

Each to their own eh.....

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Chris Fountain
Actually, if you play Mixed Emotions loud, great guitar work can be heard.

maybe you could do it for me - turn it up really loud though...not sure how far you live from me...

somewhat interesting tune... unusual chord changes, but keith sounds awkward.

Ok.. I like a few songs on SW. The tour, however, was unfavorable. I hated the way warhorse songs were extended an additional 5 minutes. It was good though to see the Stones back on the Road again. And that was a good thing IMO.

I've always liked Keith's guitar solo on this...the Flashpoint version is great.

I always liked that one, and I agree it's some of Keith's best vocal work in the studio.

It's a good album track on Steel Wheels. And I love the Atlantic City version so much. A real strong, fast number with an incredibly wild guitar solo by Keith. Whow.

Not Keith's best but still a good song. Did not work live on SW tour for me though. Actually I don't think they played it when I saw the band in Foxboro I'm thinking of the Flashpoint version which I don't like the whole album.

Great tune. Have always liked it and would love to hear it live!

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VoodooLounge13
Great tune. Have always liked it and would love to hear it live!

I too, would like to hear it live: I just fear that the tempo is a little too quick for the Keith of today.

If he were to dust it off, then I think we should expect horns, trumpets - the lot.

The funny thing is that Keith is at his best during his solo parts when not playing guitar but concentrating on the vocals.
And my beloved Can't Be Seen is a risky song with it's hectic atmosphere!
But: I'm sure it would be a live killer - especially performance-wise - if someone else picks up the rhythm guitar (Blondie or even Mick!!! Now, that would be the "overkill to the audience!!!) and Keith would "impersonate" Mick as the lead singer...

Sorry Keith, this tune is mediocre at best, IMO. A precipitous drop from BTMMR and Little T&A. Where's the edge, where's the danger, where's the hook? A harmless little ditty but completely forgettable. Life's too short for this, especially when there's so much else to listen to.

Drew

I used to always look forward to the Keith solo vocal performances on Stones albums. This was one of the first ones that disappointed me (embarrassing subject matter and lyrics), but probably not as bad as "Too Rude". A real step down from "Before They Make Me Run", "Coming Down Again", "All About You", etc.

Time to bring this one up again:
A great choice for this tour. It
was dusted off by me and I really enjoy the
studio version, especially the bridge:
"They set us up..."