Comments, input and alterations are very welcome!
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I Don’t Know Why
(Stevie Wonder / Paul Riser / Don Hunter / Lula Hardaway)

Olympic Sound Studios, London, UK, April 17 - July 2, 1969

Mick Jagger - vocals, harmonica
Keith Richards - electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Mick Taylor - electric guitar
Ian Stewart - piano
Steve Gregory - horns
Bud Beadle - horns

I don't know why I love you, babe
I don't know why, I don’t know
I don't know why I love you, baby
But I love you darlin’, yes I do

You always treat me like a fool
You kick me when I'm down, that's you're rule
I don't know why I love you, baby
But I love you, baby

When are you gonna stop your cheatin’ ways
With another guy, you laugh in my face
Just how long must I be dis-disgraced
Cause I, I love you, baby

I tell you now, I don't know, I don't know why, babe
I don't know, I don't know why, baby
I don't know why I love you, baby
But I love you, baby

When are you gonna stop your cheatin’ ways
With another guy, you laugh in my face
Just how long must I be dis-disgraced
Cause I, I love you, baby

I tell you now, I don't know, I don't know why, babe
I don't know, I don't know why, baby
I don't know why I love you, baby

Produced by Jimmy Miller

First released on:
The Rolling Stones - “I Don’t Know Why / Try A Little Harder” 7” single
(Decca F 13584) UK, May 23, 1975

I'm not usually a great fan of Mick Taylor, but his playing here helps make this even better than Stevie Wonder's brilliant original.







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-06-06 12:02 by Sleepy City.

This is a great version and most groups would have killed to have such a strong song under their belts.

But it's hard to see where it could have fitted - it wouldn't have been right on Let It Bleed and it's doesn't have the same feel as the tracks on Sticky Fingers.

It's definitely got a London vibe about it - the way the heavy guitar solo comes in reminds me of Jimmy Page.

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Silver Dagger
This is a great version and most groups would have killed to have such a strong song under their belts.

But it's hard to see where it could have fitted - it wouldn't have been right on Let It Bleed and it's doesn't have the same feel as the tracks on Sticky Fingers.

It's definitely got a London vibe about it - the way the heavy guitar solo comes in reminds me of Jimmy Page.

Exile, maybe, with a bit of overdubbing?

I remember hearing "I don't know why" for the first time. It was in my attic, 40 degrees. It have me goosebumps. Played it over and over for hours. Maybe their best cover.

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Thricenay

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Silver Dagger
This is a great version and most groups would have killed to have such a strong song under their belts.

But it's hard to see where it could have fitted - it wouldn't have been right on Let It Bleed and it's doesn't have the same feel as the tracks on Sticky Fingers.

It's definitely got a London vibe about it - the way the heavy guitar solo comes in reminds me of Jimmy Page.

Exile, maybe, with a bit of overdubbing?

Personally I think I would've used it instead of Country Honk on Let It Bleed...

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Sleepy City

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Thricenay

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Silver Dagger
This is a great version and most groups would have killed to have such a strong song under their belts.

But it's hard to see where it could have fitted - it wouldn't have been right on Let It Bleed and it's doesn't have the same feel as the tracks on Sticky Fingers.

It's definitely got a London vibe about it - the way the heavy guitar solo comes in reminds me of Jimmy Page.

Exile, maybe, with a bit of overdubbing?

Personally I think I would've used it instead of Country Honk on Let It Bleed...

Actually, you might have something there Sleepy. Country Honk does sound a bit light and misplaced on an album overbounding with tension...Gimme Shelter, Midnight Rambler, Monkey Man, You Can't Even Get What You Want.

It always reminds me of Performance, perhaps because it is one of the stand out tracks on side 2 of Metamorphosis which also features Memo From Turner.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-06-06 15:26 by Silver Dagger.

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Silver Dagger

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Sleepy City

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Thricenay

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Silver Dagger
This is a great version and most groups would have killed to have such a strong song under their belts.

But it's hard to see where it could have fitted - it wouldn't have been right on Let It Bleed and it's doesn't have the same feel as the tracks on Sticky Fingers.

It's definitely got a London vibe about it - the way the heavy guitar solo comes in reminds me of Jimmy Page.

Exile, maybe, with a bit of overdubbing?

Personally I think I would've used it instead of Country Honk on Let It Bleed...

Actually, you might have something there Sleepy. Country Honk does sound a bit light and misplaced on an album overbounding with tension...Gimme Shelter, Midnight Rambler, Monkey Man, You Can't Even Get What You Want.

It always reminds me of Performance, perhaps because it is one of the stand out tracks on side 2 which also features Memo From Turner.

"I Don't Know Why" has always striked a song which would have suited "Let It Bleed" just fine.

Fantastic slide from Taylor - not too many notes, but beautfully played

When it comes to "Memo From Turner" on Metamorphosis......that one doesn't do it for me at all; because that version is so much boring than the excellent "Memo From Turner" on the soundtrack.....also to be found on "Singles Collection".

fantsatic , great song.
everything.
For me one of the Top 5 songs from the band.
byeee
jeroen

One of the the greatest cover they did.............they should have it released as the "B" side of HTW

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NICOS
One of the the greatest cover they did.............they should have it released as the "B" side of HTW

It was recorded too late.

What about as a b-side to Tumbling Dice!

Yes, a good cover. I dig Stevie's original too.

Drew

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normanplace
What about as a b-side to Tumbling Dice!

What about as an a-side to Tumbling Dice!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-06-06 15:05 by Sleepy City.

I like it!

their best cover!!!

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guitarbastard
their best cover!!!

Wow - that's some accolade, guitar! What, better than It's All Over Now, Around & Around, That's How Strong My Love Is, Route 66, Down Home Girl, and Time Is On My Side?

Er, better than Cherry Oh Baby??

Jaggers second greatest vocal after Let It Loose....this is a brilliant cover completely buried.

totally agree
Mick Jagger sings pretty well in this one. Power and feeling united !

The greatness of this cover is that they made it their own

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drewmaster
Yes, a good cover. I dig Stevie's original too.

Drew

It's a brilliant Wonder vocal. He must go through three octaves, and then there's that amazing out-of-breath bit where he's just GASPING with the intensity of it. A fantastic performance.

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Rip This
Jaggers second greatest vocal after Let It Loose....this is a brilliant cover completely buried.

I agree!!!

I love the tremolo guitar. Just builds a great foundation and then the solo cuts to the soul.

Cannot find many covers........





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Thricenay

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drewmaster
Yes, a good cover. I dig Stevie's original too.

Drew

It's a brilliant Wonder vocal. He must go through three octaves, and then there's that amazing out-of-breath bit where he's just GASPING with the intensity of it. A fantastic performance.

I agree totally. I generally find him a little overrated, but he is incredible here, & The Stones did well to do a cover that (at least) matches it.

I love it. A fantastic Mick vocal, on top of the band all playing great.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-06-06 18:13 by Title5Take1.

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NICOS
Cannot find many covers........

another cover...

and one of my favorite Wonder performances....

Is this the song they were recording when they got the call telling them about Brian?

I love it. Gritty and nasty. These were the days when Jagger sang emotionally you believed it.

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stones78
Is this the song they were recording when they got the call telling them about Brian?

I'm not sure if they were actually recording it or just mixing it, reports seem to vary.