"Just wanna see his face" has Keith directing the jam from behing the piano. Looking at the credits it looks like there are two Basses on the final version. The Dr John influence is obvious. So, of course most of it was overdubbed. The ODs were done in LA. The chicks, percusiion , the Doc all came later,I know this, but I also know truthfully for everyone here on Tell Me it happened one long night in the sweltering summer heat of that dank basement of Nellcote. Whiskey, cigarettes and Heroin flowing freely. The spirit that gave birth to Exile also shaped this classic moment.

"...no longer shall you trudge 'cross my peaceful mind."

Leonard Keringer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> i like the song....but it sounds to me like a
> withdrawing-junkie locked in a bathroom


what's your point?

mr edward Wrote:
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> Well, it's fits nice in the album, but as a song
> on its own, it's completely worthless,


as one reviewer described it, the "greatness of Exile is in the margins"....songs like this that may be throwaways on other albums just fit in beautifully on this record.

a bit like Side 2 of Abbey Road for Beatles fans. Full of "half songs" that on their own wouldnt add up to much, but which when bound together in that interlocking medley, work beautifully

Luv Just Wanna See his Face.....dislike IMMENSELY the hodge-podge that is side 2 of Abbey Road. Half baked and half realised....NOW, side ONE of Abbey Road, Come Together, Something, SHe's so Heavy and Oh Darlin!!!! Yep!!!

Rgds
Rod

Love Love Love Exile, but not a big fan of this song. The atmosphere is great though.

How could you not like this song. It's what Exile is all about. Dark basement latenight recording session with Jesus as an inspiration. What's not to like? The Dark Master's at work.

I don't know man, maybe because I don't believe in Jesus?

That was the point. And I believe that was the point of the song. "don't want to talk about Jesus, just wanna see his face."
ie. where is this guy?

Interesting. Lemme listen to it again with that insight.

You don't have to believe in Jesus to really appreciate this piece of music. I don't either. I just love the Stones.

Love this "song". Exile as whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Only 1 maybe 2 warhorses - Tumbling Dice and Happy. Not regarded highly when first released. Now almost everyone's favourite Stones album. Don't know the details of who and when I just want to picture them making it in Keith's basement!

I agree with fleabitpeanutmonkey. If you don't get this song, you don't get Exile. It's subjective to say, I know, but I really think it's true. IJWSHF may seem like a little song, but it's a masterpiece in every right!

A gem - plain and simple! The groove and the feel is priceless.

Like it very much ,and its underated.

I'm not sure what Mick actually means when he sings "I don't wanna walk and talk about Jesus, I just wanna see his face". I guess you could think of it as a religious song, but i don't think it really is.

Rutger Wrote:
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> I'm not sure what Mick actually means when he
> sings "I don't wanna walk and talk about Jesus, I
> just wanna see his face". I guess you could think
> of it as a religious song, but i don't think it
> really is.


It's not a religious song. It's almost an anti-gospel song. Gospel songs are about faith, JWSHF is about proof. It's Mick's declaration that he is a doubting Thomas who needs to probe the nail wounds.
He means he doesn't want to do all of this faith-based, theoretical "God is great" BS. He wants a grand manifestation of the power of the blood of the lamb - proof of God.
No more talk, he wants some muhfu$king action.

Get it?

cosmoprim Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> It's not a religious song. It's almost an
> anti-gospel song. Gospel songs are about faith,
> JWSHF is about proof. It's Mick's declaration
> that he is a doubting Thomas who needs to probe
> the nail wounds.
> He means he doesn't want to do all of this
> faith-based, theoretical "God is great" BS. He
> wants a grand manifestation of the power of the
> blood of the lamb - proof of God.
> No more talk, he wants some muhfu$king action.
>
> Get it?
>


I think it's a monster track and that it exemplifies what makes the record as a whole so great.

Meanwhile, I wonder if the Blind Boys of Alabama share your interpretation...

Its a beautiful song, and in my opinion deeply religious, as Mick Jagger actually is in my opinion religious, as they say "for those who have ears let them hear"
If you miss this element of the Stones music I think your missing the whole picture.............

Mathijs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TooTough Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The mood of the song is dark, wet and
> hot...just
> > like the Nellcote studio was.
> > Great song, full of tension.
> >
>
> This song was recorded in December 1971, at the
> L.A. Sunset studio. The only remaining instrument
> from Nellcote is the Wurlitzer piano played by
> Keith. The athmosphere is not that of Nellcote,
> but that of Dr. John's New Orleans city vibe.
>
> One the greatest Stones' myths is that Exile was
> recorded at Nellcote, but if you look carefully
> most songs were either recorded in England in 1970
> (mostly at Olumpic Sound) or in the Sunset Sound
> studio number in December 1971 until March 1972.
> There's just a handfull of songs, and only the
> basic backing track of drums track from Nellcote
> (Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Casino Boogie,
> Tumbling Dice, Happy, Ventilator Blues and Soul
> Survivor). According to Glyn Johns, only Happy and
> Ventilator Blues are for the most part recorded at
> Nellcote.
>
> Mathijs


If you read the comments in "Exile - The Making of Exile on Main St," just about every song from Exile was jammed on in the basement of Nellcote - the recordings of songs that were 1st recorded in 1970 in England & later in LA in 1972 were also overdubbed on in France in 71...

I likeee.

It sounds so devilish,so magical and Mick's voice at its best.

Gazza Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mr edward Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Well, it's fits nice in the album, but as a
> song
> > on its own, it's completely worthless,
>
>
> as one reviewer described it, the "greatness of
> Exile is in the margins"....songs like this that
> may be throwaways on other albums just fit in
> beautifully on this record.
>
> a bit like Side 2 of Abbey Road for Beatles fans.
> Full of "half songs" that on their own wouldnt add
> up to much, but which when bound together in that
> interlocking medley, work beautifully


Excellent call Gazza, side 2 of abbey road is one of my favorite works from the beatles, and i never drew this comparison with exile, but i totally aree

I love it....it fits beautifully on Side 3.