The Stones' Super-Bowl-halftime-show START ME UP exasperated me when I watched it live in California because the start of Woody's guitar solo was muted. I assumed some nescient technician's screw up meant it was muted everywhere.

When I later happened across the European "version" on YouTube I was surprised and pleased Woody's solo was full volume from the start. Bizarre the Europeans got it right but the Americans messed up during the Super Bowl, of all things.

Just because of that contrast, the European "version" became a favorite:

Compare below. (Woody's solo starts—or doesn't!—a little after the 2:20 mark):

American broadcast >>> [www.youtube.com]

European broadcast >>> [www.youtube.com]

The European broadcast's mix is better overall!

Nothing beats the original on Tattoo You, but it's always fun to hear the band rip into it on stage. For me, the 2015 version in Pittsburgh was the perfect atmospheric opener. It rained hard until right before the start of the concert, then the Stones came out and cracked open Start Me Up with a stunning rainbow as their backdrop.

Interesting how many people like the studio version. For me it's almost unlistenable, way too clean guitars and polished sound. It doesn't have that rough edge and is more of fitting for an aerobics class.

In my view Start Me up is even harder to be properly played live than Shattered.

And IORR has also never been played as I think It deserves.

The inner complexity of stones songs is so amazing.

That might be one of the reasons why the Stones sound nowadays like they do.

Make the most of their potential requires an incredible energy.

Quote
TheBlockbuster
Interesting how many people like the studio version. For me it's almost unlistenable, way too clean guitars and polished sound. It doesn't have that rough edge and is more of fitting for an aerobics class.

"Everybody limber up and stretch those muscles"


"And a one two three, one two three..."


"Lets stretch those legs now"


"Now lets work on the neck and the posture...can you feel it"?


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Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

The thing is, I have heard several tribute- or pub rock bands doing good versions of Start Me Up. So it can't be rocket science doing a decent live version of the song.
Somehow, The Rolling Stones have never managed that. I don't know why though...

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emotionalbarbecue
In my view Start Me up is even harder to be properly played live than Shattered

Shattered on the VOODOO tour was excellent - different than the LP version in a "proper" way. Same with Start Me Up on the 1989-90 tours.

What is "properly" anyway? If that's the case, there are a ton of songs they've never played "properly": Rocks Off, She's So Cold, Jumpin' Jack Flash post-1969, Satisfaction, SFTD, She Was Hot, Under My Thumb, Honky Tonk Women post-1982...

Maybe old, and certainly fake news, but still hilarious:





[www.reverbnation.com]

This.

video: [youtu.be]