It's a great track. Great performances. Great vocal.

No one ever talks about how the instruments create a great swampy humid prehistoric landscape
wherein a massive sauropod, hearing something compelling, raises its head

I mean really no one ever talks about that. Discuss

Just a little bit of irony, the hotel we stayed in Tuesday downtown Hyatt Regency, has a restaurant named Sway. Too bad they didn't play the tune.

.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2015-06-11 13:27 by Turner68.

Charlies drums on the intro ... Mick's driving vocals ... Nicky Hopkin's piano ... the whole feel ...

all unrivalled

that tune's simply breathtaking

every time anew

a masterpiece

something for eternity

[www.iorr.org]

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Green Lady

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Turner68
Mick Taylor didn't have nearly as much to do with this song as some seem to think (e.g. Naturlist: "I have always imagined that that the lyrics were penned by MT but knowing better I think it may be Jagger writing from Taylors perspective. Possibly Taylor hanging around Jaggers house talking about his desire to escape the clutches of Keith's hard drug influences" )

Here's what Mick Taylor has to say: "I added my solo to Sway, but it's very much Mick's song."

And since the second verse is about Brian Jones' death, it's highly unlikely that this is Mick writing about Mick Taylor or from Mick Taylor's perspective.

It strikes me as a very Mick Jagger way of looking at things: while others have their various (sometimes lethal) addictions, their "demons", he won't be going that way because he's addicted to being alive; to life itself:

It's just that demon, Life, that's got me in its sway...

His drug was sex, it seems.

Destroyed your notion of circular time

I've always wondered if there's any deeper meaning to this line.

Or does it simply refer to someone's sensation that "time goes round in circles"?

What no one talks about is this is the Sticky Fingers "deep cut" they should be playing every night on zip code tour.

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Shott
What no one talks about is this is the Sticky Fingers "deep cut" they should be playing every night on zip code tour.

well yes, they should..

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kleermaker

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Green Lady

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Turner68
Mick Taylor didn't have nearly as much to do with this song as some seem to think (e.g. Naturlist: "I have always imagined that that the lyrics were penned by MT but knowing better I think it may be Jagger writing from Taylors perspective. Possibly Taylor hanging around Jaggers house talking about his desire to escape the clutches of Keith's hard drug influences" )

Here's what Mick Taylor has to say: "I added my solo to Sway, but it's very much Mick's song."

And since the second verse is about Brian Jones' death, it's highly unlikely that this is Mick writing about Mick Taylor or from Mick Taylor's perspective.

It strikes me as a very Mick Jagger way of looking at things: while others have their various (sometimes lethal) addictions, their "demons", he won't be going that way because he's addicted to being alive; to life itself:

It's just that demon, Life, that's got me in its sway...

His drug was sex, it seems.

And success, fame, wealth and social ascendency.

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Shott
What no one talks about is this is the Sticky Fingers "deep cut" they should be playing every night on zip code tour.

Is "Sway" a deep cut? Not in my book.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-06-11 20:28 by DoomandGloom.

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with sssoul
No one ever talks about how the instruments create a great swampy humid prehistoric landscape
wherein a massive sauropod, hearing something compelling, raises its head

I mean really no one ever talks about that. Discuss

Huh? Wha'?

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dead.flowers
Destroyed your notion of circular time

I've always wondered if there's any deeper meaning to this line.

Or does it simply refer to someone's sensation that "time goes round in circles"?

yes, i think so, although "simple" is selling it a bit short. such notions are strongly present in physics as well as buddhism, etc.

it also of course refers to the shape of the clock - a circle - and how a certain moment, like presumably the one he mentions, can make it seem as though time has stopped.

At this point, I'm happy hearing whatever tunes the band feels like playing. Especially since they are playing them with....passion. My favorite Stones tune? The next one they play.

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Bliss

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kleermaker

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Green Lady

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Turner68
Mick Taylor didn't have nearly as much to do with this song as some seem to think (e.g. Naturlust: "I have always imagined that that the lyrics were penned by MT but knowing better I think it may be Jagger writing from Taylors perspective. Possibly Taylor hanging around Jaggers house talking about his desire to escape the clutches of Keith's hard drug influences" )

Here's what Mick Taylor has to say: "I added my solo to Sway, but it's very much Mick's song."

And since the second verse is about Brian Jones' death, it's highly unlikely that this is Mick writing about Mick Taylor or from Mick Taylor's perspective.

It strikes me as a very Mick Jagger way of looking at things: while others have their various (sometimes lethal) addictions, their "demons", he won't be going that way because he's addicted to being alive; to life itself:

It's just that demon, Life, that's got me in its sway...

His drug was sex, it seems.

And success, fame, wealth and social ascendency.

I understand now it was Mick's song, but until I heard that quote from MT it just seemed to fit Taylor's situation and emotional state at the time so much better than Jagger's it's easy to imagine there was some of his story in Mick's lyrics, imo.

Interesting perspective from Green Lady and so well described with the addition of a single comma! I don'y buy it though, life was pretty exciting for Jagger back then and I think he viewed "demon life" more as something happening to Keith and Taylor specifically associated with their heroin problems. Perhaps Mick was actually on the fence back then looking at the demons on one side luring him over. He certainly was just as open to drug taking in general and I imagine took them often. I think he just kept it more private and under control than the others. Certainly his clean living these days allows one to assume he was very separate from it all but in 1971 I doubt he had that perspective.

As far as Mick's drug of choice, we have to trust his best friend at the time Keith's opinion about that and he said it was clearly adoration. Perhaps he's swayed more to to success, wealth, fame and social status but there are elements of adoration in all those.

I also don't think the friends out on the burial ground is specifically about Brian. Plenty of people around Mick were dying back then, mostly of drug related causes, further fuel for the demon life/ heroin connection. It seemed 1970 and 1971 were popular years for heroin in the music industry, so many were dabbling in it if not full on addicted. A heavy price to pay for a bit of creativity and emotional shelter, demon-like even.

peace

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Naturalust

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Bliss

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kleermaker

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Green Lady

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Turner68
Mick Taylor didn't have nearly as much to do with this song as some seem to think (e.g. Naturlust: "I have always imagined that that the lyrics were penned by MT but knowing better I think it may be Jagger writing from Taylors perspective. Possibly Taylor hanging around Jaggers house talking about his desire to escape the clutches of Keith's hard drug influences" )

Here's what Mick Taylor has to say: "I added my solo to Sway, but it's very much Mick's song."

And since the second verse is about Brian Jones' death, it's highly unlikely that this is Mick writing about Mick Taylor or from Mick Taylor's perspective.

It strikes me as a very Mick Jagger way of looking at things: while others have their various (sometimes lethal) addictions, their "demons", he won't be going that way because he's addicted to being alive; to life itself:

It's just that demon, Life, that's got me in its sway...

His drug was sex, it seems.

And success, fame, wealth and social ascendency.

I understand now it was Mick's song, but until I heard that quote from MT it just seemed to fit Taylor's situation and emotional state at the time so much better than Jagger's it's easy to imagine there was some of his story in Mick's lyrics, imo.

Interesting perspective from Green Lady and so well described with the addition of a single comma! I don'y buy it though, life was pretty exciting for Jagger back then and I think he viewed "demon life" more as something happening to Keith and Taylor specifically associated with their heroin problems. Perhaps Mick was actually on the fence back then looking at the demons on one side luring him over. He certainly was just as open to drug taking in general and I imagine took them often. I think he just kept it more private and under control than the others. Certainly his clean living these days allows one to assume he was very separate from it all but in 1971 I doubt he had that perspective.

As far as Mick's drug of choice, we have to trust his best friend at the time Keith's opinion about that and he said it was clearly adoration. Perhaps he's swayed more to to success, wealth, fame and social status but there are elements of adoration in all those.

I also don't think the friends out on the burial ground is specifically about Brian. Plenty of people around Mick were dying back then, mostly of drug related causes, further fuel for the demon life/ heroin connection. It seemed 1970 and 1971 were popular years for heroin in the music industry, so many were dabbling in it if not full on addicted. A heavy price to pay for a bit of creativity and emotional shelter, demon-like even.

peace

The song was recorded in March 1970. No one I can think of around Mick had died at that point other than Brian and Meredith Hunter. Hendrix died in September 1970, Graham Parsons in 1973.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015-06-11 22:24 by Turner68.

You people seek too much meaning in those lyrics. And of course it was also partially the other Mick's song. Otherwise than Paul McCartney both Keith and Jagger never came with clear-cut songs into the room. Just rough ideas and sketches.

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with sssoul

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geordiestone
I talked about Sway sometime last year and how Keith doesn't play on it and i was told i was talking nonsense
but yet in Micks latest Uncut interview he confirms Keith didn't play on it.

Hmmm - some kind of misunderstanding. It hasn't been a surprise since the 1970s that Keith didn't play on the studio version;
back-up vocals were his only contribution. If someone here quarrelled with you about that I'm surprised.

No, not quarelled but was adamant that Keith did play.

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Turner68
The song was recorded in March 1970. No one I can think of around Mick had died at that point other than Brian and Meredith Hunter. Hendrix died in September 1970, Graham Parsons in 1973.

No, it was recorded in October and December 1970 and February 1971. Not sure at what point in the process Mick added the "friends out on the burial ground" line, but assuming it was October we can include a few more to the list (Hendrix, Joplin), and considering their very recent deaths it was probably pretty fresh in his mind. When he sings "can't stand the feeling getting so knocked down" it sure sounds like he's close to the pain of loss. Some of his most emotional vocals really. I think he probably got over Brian's death more quickly for several reasons.

Besides there were others like Tara Browne and probably ones we didn't know about because they were not in the public's eye. .

peace

yaws

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Naturalust

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Turner68
The song was recorded in March 1970. No one I can think of around Mick had died at that point other than Brian and Meredith Hunter. Hendrix died in September 1970, Graham Parsons in 1973.

No, it was recorded in October and December 1970 and February 1971. Not sure at what point in the process Mick added the "friends out on the burial ground" line, but assuming it was October we can include a few more to the list (Hendrix, Joplin), and considering their very recent deaths it was probably pretty fresh in his mind. When he sings "can't stand the feeling getting so knocked down" it sure sounds like he's close to the pain of loss. Some of his most emotional vocals really. I think he probably got over Brian's death more quickly for several reasons.

Besides there were others like Tara Browne and probably ones we didn't know about because they were not in the public's eye. .

peace

You should let Rene and Keno know you have new info about when Sway was recorded.

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Turner68

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Naturalust

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Turner68
The song was recorded in March 1970. No one I can think of around Mick had died at that point other than Brian and Meredith Hunter. Hendrix died in September 1970, Graham Parsons in 1973.

No, it was recorded in October and December 1970 and February 1971. Not sure at what point in the process Mick added the "friends out on the burial ground" line, but assuming it was October we can include a few more to the list (Hendrix, Joplin), and considering their very recent deaths it was probably pretty fresh in his mind. When he sings "can't stand the feeling getting so knocked down" it sure sounds like he's close to the pain of loss. Some of his most emotional vocals really. I think he probably got over Brian's death more quickly for several reasons.

Besides there were others like Tara Browne and probably ones we didn't know about because they were not in the public's eye. .

peace

You should let Rene and Keno know you have new info about when Sway was recorded.

They have known to be wrong. The best info I have says:

March recordings included You Gotta Move, C*cksucker Blues, Brown Sugar and I Got the Blues

July recordings included Shake Your Hips, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, All Down the Line, Sweet Virginia and Shine a Light.

October recordings included Bitch, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Black Angel, Hide Your Love, Moonlight Mile and Sway.

The October recordings started Oct 17, 1970 and ended October 31, 1970. So both Jimi and Janis were out on the burial ground.

Perhaps you might be so kind as to inform Keno of the possible corrections to when Sway was recorded. I don't really frequent Keno's webite, I did post a note to Rene on his Track Talk thread. thanks.

peace

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Naturalust

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Turner68

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Naturalust

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Turner68
The song was recorded in March 1970. No one I can think of around Mick had died at that point other than Brian and Meredith Hunter. Hendrix died in September 1970, Graham Parsons in 1973.

No, it was recorded in October and December 1970 and February 1971. Not sure at what point in the process Mick added the "friends out on the burial ground" line, but assuming it was October we can include a few more to the list (Hendrix, Joplin), and considering their very recent deaths it was probably pretty fresh in his mind. When he sings "can't stand the feeling getting so knocked down" it sure sounds like he's close to the pain of loss. Some of his most emotional vocals really. I think he probably got over Brian's death more quickly for several reasons.

Besides there were others like Tara Browne and probably ones we didn't know about because they were not in the public's eye. .

peace

You should let Rene and Keno know you have new info about when Sway was recorded.

They have known to be wrong. The best info I have says:

March recordings included You Gotta Move, C*cksucker Blues, Brown Sugar and I Got the Blues

July recordings included Shake Your Hips, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, All Down the Line, Sweet Virginia and Shine a Light.

October recordings included Bitch, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Black Angel, Hide Your Love, Moonlight Mile and Sway.

The October recordings started Oct 17, 1970 and ended October 31, 1970. So both Jimi and Janis were out on the burial ground.

Perhaps you might be so kind as to inform Keno of the possible corrections to when Sway was recorded. I don't really frequent Keno's webite, I did post a note to Rene on his Track Talk thread. thanks.

peace

someone should ask Bill to check his diary...

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woodyweaving
I think one of the most underrated losses the stones took to their sound was the reduced use of NIcky Hopkins. He was so great when he was around and so was the band as a whole so he kind of went unnoticed.
It's kind of like a good drummer. You take it for granted when they are with you but you appreciate them a whole lot more when you have someone who isn't as good.

Billy Preston was good for his time, the mid-70s, which was much funkier. The problem is that they didn't find a good replacement after that, and still haven't.

someone should ask Bill to check his diary...







ROCKMAN

Just listened to "Sway" and you're right - the piano work is great. Nicky sparkled on every track he played on without ever sounding out of place or too prominent. He added a grace to some of the Stones best ballads, or he could boogie like Stu. Genius.

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Rockman
someone should ask Bill to check his diary...

Bill obviously stored all kind of dates...