The surprise caught short to their record company… The Rolling Stones unveiled this Thursday April 23 at 6 pm a new song, the first unreleased since 2012, and its clip shot in deserted streets at 8 pm. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, recorded by the group in 2019 during sessions in Los Angeles and London, "Living In A Ghost Town", was finalized during the confinement. A confinement to which the text incredibly echoes. "I am a ghost / Who lives in a ghost town" or "Life was so beautiful / And we were all locked up", sings Mick Jagger. Who says in an interview with Apple music that the lyrics were written (“in ten minutes!”) Before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, without thinking that they would appear as premonitory.
It is in any case the leader of the Stones, of his castle where he is confined to Touraine, who first announced this outing a few minutes before on his Instagram account. “The Rolling Stones were in the studio before the confinement to record new songs and there was one that we thought resonated in the times we are going through. We worked on it separately. And it's called Living In A Ghost Town . I hope you will like it. "
"It captures an atmosphere"
“To make it short, explains Keith Richards, we recorded this song over a year ago in Los Angeles for a new album and then this mess happened. Mick and I decided that this one really needed to go out right now. "It has a haunting melody," adds Ronnie Wood, the guitarist. "I enjoyed working on this title," concludes drummer Charlie Watts. I think it captures an atmosphere. The bass was provided by Darryl Jones and the brass by Matt Clifford, loyal musicians of the British group.
"Living In A Ghost Town" is a good surprise. It's classic Stones but rock and removed, with typically Stonian choruses, a particularly energetic refrain which contrasts with a break between dub and reggae. The title heralds the new album on which the Rolling Stones have been working for over a year and which should be released before the end of the year. It will be the first disc of unreleased songs since "A Bigger Bang", released fifteen years ago.
After several months of withdrawal, due in particular to Mick Jagger's health problems, rock legends are back. They had already marked the spirits a week earlier by appearing during the virtual and planetary festival organized by Lady Gaga, "One World: Together At Home".
The Stones each played "You Can't Always Get What You Want" at home. Their last minute presence and their relaxation had enchanted the canvas, but also provoked some sarcasm, because their performance had clearly been improved afterwards. We saw Charlie Watts having fun with his chopsticks on makeshift cases and on his armchair, while it was a real battery that we heard…