You Can't Always Get What You Want

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Written by: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Produced by: Jimmy Miller
Released: July '69 on London
Charts: 8 weeks
Top spot: No. 42

After a November 1968 recording session at Olympic Studio in London, Al Kooper told Jagger he wanted to take a crack at some horn charts for the song they had just finished recording. Kooper got his wish, but only his French horn made the final mix, providing "You Can't Always Get What You Want" with its signature intro. Kooper copped the song's piano groove from an Etta James record, and producer Miller -- "Mr. Jimmy" in the Jagger lyric -- subbed on the trap kit for the usually unerring Charlie Watts when the Stones drummer had difficulty mastering the tricky groove. Phil Spector accomplice Jack Nitzsche provided the crowning touch in March 1969, orchestrating the London Bach Choir into a towering backing chorus. The song would provide a grandiose finale for a landmark album.

Appears on: Let It Bleed (ABKCO)

Next: Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

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