4 of the Weirdest Places That Famous Rock Songs Have Been Recorded

While most artists prefer a traditional studio setting for recording, sometimes inspiration leads them in a different direction. The atmosphere of a recording session can have a major impact on the overall sound and feel of a recording. Creative inspiration can involve thinking outside the box, taking your songs to unconventional locations. Let’s look at a few rock songs that were recorded in some of the weirdest places ever.

Jackson Browne – “Nothing But Time”

While on tour, most of Jackson Browne’s 1977 album Running On Empty was recorded live on stage or in hotel rooms. Hotels in Maryland and Edwardsville, Illinois, were the perfect setting for this album, as most of the songs’ themes were about life on the road as a touring musician. The track “Nothing But Time” was recorded on their Continental Silver Eagle tour bus while traveling through New Jersey. Drummer Russ Kunkel was credited with playing a snare drum, hi-hat, and a cardboard box with a foot pedal. The bus is mentioned in the lyrics and the revving engine is heard throughout the track.

Paul McCartney & Wings – “Band On The Run”

Bored with UK recording studios, McCartney asked to see a list of EMI studios worldwide. Paul randomly selected Lagos, Nigeria. The band saw the departure of two members just before the trip in August of 1973. Paul, Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine went to Lagos to record as a trio. Paul played the drums, bass, and lead guitar parts himself. The trio recorded the songs “Jet,” “Band On The Run,” “Bluebird,” “Mrs. Vanderbilt,” and “Picasso’s Last Words (Drink To Me).” Paul and Linda were robbed at knifepoint while they were out for a walk in Lagos. They ended up handing over a bag containing demos and lyrics from the sessions.

Bruce Springsteen – “Atlantic City”

Between December 1981 and January 1982, Bruce Springsteen recorded his solo album Nebraska. The album was recorded in Springsteen’s bedroom in Colts Neck, New Jersey, using a 4-track recorder. Springsteen had intended to re-record the album with the E Street Band, but instead favored the raw recordings. “Atlantic City” is a standout track from Nebraska, becoming a staple of Springsteen’s live performances for decades to come. In 2025, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, a biographical film starring Jeremy Allen White, tells the story of the creation of the album.

The Rolling Stones – “Tumbling Dice”

In 1971, Keith Richards rented a 16-room mansion in the South of France for the recording of their album Exile On Main Street. Setting up in the damp and aged basement of the villa, The Rolling Stones used their famous Mobile Unit for the recording process. The villa’s inspiration can be heard on tracks like “Tumbling Dice” and seen in the artwork on the album. This recording atmosphere makes Exile On Main Street a standout Stones album, laced with character and rustic charm.