Goats Head Soup

This was the last Rolling Stones album to be produced by Jimmy Miller, who had been working with the band since the Jumpin' Jack Flash single in 1968. The Stones line-up at the time was Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Other musicians on the album included keyboard players Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins and Ian 'Stu' Stewart, sax player Bobby Keys, and trumpeter Jim Horn. Orchestral arrangements were by Nicky Harrison.

The album cover was designed and photographed by David Bailey - his first work for the Stones since 1965.

Like all Stones albums, Goats Head Soup reflected the musical environment of its time (in this case the resurgence of soul-pop and the rise of black funk) while keeping one foot firmly in the past (country, blues and straightforward rock). On its release it was termed a disappointment, many critics calling it too slow and lacking the spark and exhilaration of the band's previous release, Exile On Main Street. It was, initially at least, a better seller, however, due to the release of the strings-drenched ballad Angie as a single; this became the Stones' biggest hit since Honky Tonk Women four years before. Like most of the band's ballads, it was composed chiefly by Keith Richards. Despite persistent rumours it has nothing to do with Angie Bowie; in fact it's about Richards' then-partner Anita Pallenberg, and was written about the time of the birth of their daughter Dandelion. (Some years later, Dandelion renamed herself Angela after the song.)

Several tracks on the album had been composed some years before. "Hide Your Love" dates back to 1969, and "Silver Train" to 1970.

There were several outtakes from the sessions that eventually saw official release. Through The Lonely Nights was the B-side to It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, released in 1974. Tops and Waiting On A Friend were released, with some overdubs, on Tattoo You in 1981.

Through 2000 Goats Head Soup had sold an estimated six million copies worldwide.

Track listing