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To Hearts for sale by The Rolling Stones

I don’t need a doctor/ I need a secondment/ You don’t want my love/ You can just accept my resignation…

Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: Air Studios, Montserrat, 29 March – 15 April 1989; Olympic Sound Studios, 15 May – 29 June 1989
Guest musicians: Matt Clifford (keyboards), Bernard Fowler (backing vocals)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

*Click here for MORE ROLLING STONES SONGS FROM 1962 TO TODAY

More about Hearts for sale by The Rolling Stones

Steel rims received great praise from the rock press for its impressive quality and Hearts for sale illustrates the depth of the album and shows that the Rolling Stones weren’t the only ones recycling old material. The guitar work stands out, from Mick Jagger’s distorted feedback at the beginning to the Latin-inspired strumming. Mick Jagger also delivers a fiery harmonica performance and Keith Richards’ Fender guitar is featured prominently. Bernard Fowler’s backing vocals are crisp and clear. The lyrics cover themes such as life satisfaction versus the loss of willpower in love, symbolized by the heart offered for sale.

Chris Kimsey praised Mick’s harmonica playing, noting that Mick was able to emulate the breathy style of classic harmonica players, where the rests were as important as the notes themselves (a pity he doesn’t use the instrument more on the album!). Likewise, Keith Richards stressed in interviews that a musician’s “canvas” is silence, and that rhythm involves playing with these silent spaces. Mick’s notable contribution to the album was that he played guitar on two-thirds of the album, a significant increase in his involvement, reflecting the benefits of Ron Wood’s lessons. Ron Wood humorously noted that the Steel rims Sessions allowed Mick to get rid of his “L-records” on the guitar. Unlike Dirty workWhere Mick’s presence was minimal, Steel Wheels was clearly a collaboration between Mick and Keith. The location may have contributed to this, as Montserrat was less accessible than Paris, where the previous album was recorded.

At first glance Hearts for sale seems to be a straightforward blues-rock track with a strong beat, reminiscent of the Stones’ early recordings. However, some lines invite a deeper analysis, especially when the narrator – actually Mick Jagger himself – explains, “the voice of conscience/the voice of reason”. The song raises questions about who owns these cheaply sold hearts. Is it a criticism of rock star groupies or a commentary on the pursuit of love at any cost? The true meaning remains unclear. Remarkably, the song was never performed live. Mick Jagger provides a remarkable introductory riff, marked by the digital reverb typical of the era.

In total Steel rims highlights the exceptional contributions of Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, whose rhythm section remains one of the band’s greatest strengths. Their performance is not about demonstrating technical prowess, but rather about achieving a seamless, cohesive sound. Both the drummer and bassist focus on effective simplicity, which is often the hardest quality to master.

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