Run Rudolph Run b/w The Harder They Come

I'll be throwing in some non-Rolling Stones, although Stones-related, posts here and there.


Keith Richards
"Run Rudolph Run" (Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie) – 3:11
b/w "The Harder They Come" (Jimmy Cliff) – 3:41


This single dates to either 1978 or 79 (the internet isn't exactly clear on this).




Keith is obviously working off Chuck Berry's famous version, which was a minor hit in 1958. Interestingly, Keith and the band play the rhythm in swing eighths, whereas Chuck played straight eighths on the original – this is almost the exact opposite of what happens when someone covers a Chuck Berry song. (Chuck, or at least his band, usually played in swing time, creating some nice rhythmic tension. Covers almost always play it straight, removing all the subtlety from Chuck's original. If you are removing the subtlety from a Chuck Berry song, you probably should look for another line of work.)

Keith's vocal is endearingly ragged and the band rises to the occasion by summoning some bar-band level professionalism. This would have knocked them dead at the El Macombo.


And then there's this...



Okay, Keith, I get it. The officers are trying to keep you down. You'd rather be a free man in your grave than living like a puppet or a slave. Got it. But listen, Keith: nobody gives a shit about a millionaire rock star's problems with drug busts, okay? That's almost as obnoxious as George Harrison complaining about having to pay taxes. Shut the fuck up, you whiny bitch.

State of Shock

I'll be throwing in some non-Rolling Stones, although Stones-related, posts here and there. Don't judge me!

Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger
"State of Shock" (Michael Jackson/Randy Hansen) – 4:30



In a career filled with ridiculous moments, this may be the most sublimely ridiculous of all. I'm tempted to let the music speak for itself. For the kids reading this that may need some kind of explanation as to why something like this could have been allowed to happen, all I can say is, hey, it was the 80s.

LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!
Look at me!
Look at me...
look at me

Wikipedia info:

Single by The Jacksons featuring Mick Jagger
from the album Victory
Released July 1984
Format 7" single
Recorded 1984
Genre Pop-Rock
Length 4:30
Label Epic 34-04503
Writer(s) Michael Jackson, Randy Hansen
Producer Michael Jackson