Country Honk by The Rolling Stones

Album: Let It Bleed (1969)

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Songfacts®:

This is a country version of "Honky Tonk Women," which was released as a single a few months earlier. Keith Richards explained on a promotional interview disc: "On Let It Bleed, we put that other version of 'Honky Tonk Women' on because that's how the song was originally written, as a real Hank Williams/Jimmie Rodgers, '30s country song. And it got turned around to this other song by Mick Taylor, who got into a completely different feel, throwing it off the wall completely." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France
This is based on Hank Williams' "Honky Tonk Blues."
Mick Taylor, who took over lead guitar when Brian Jones died, recorded with The Stones for the first time on the Let It Bleed album.
Mick Taylor explained: "My part on 'Country Honk' wasn't on a regular guitar; it was on one of those cheap little Selmer Hawaiian guitars, which I played on my lap in regular tuning." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France
Byron Berline played fiddle. He was recorded on a Hollywood sidewalk, which accounts for the car horns in the background.

Comments: 10

David from Lincoln, United KingdomWhy does the Beatles making two versions of a song mean that the Rolling Stones doing it is "copying"? I'm sure making a faster more commercial version of a song available as a single and putting the original on an album had been done before Revolution.
Billy from Gilbert, AzMick Taylor took over before Brian Jones' death. Brian was fired shortly before he was killed.
Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiI think this is better than Honkey Tonk Woman.
R from Montreal, Qc, CanadaI really have difficulty with this version; it should have remain a studio version for fun.
Imagine Let it Bleed with the original version; this album is so good, the Stones would have sold extras millions of copies.
I have made my own version with the original one; it is a real pleasure to hear from beginning to the end.
- Erno, Montreal QC
Mecc from Alberta, CanadaUggh.
Beatles are the pioneers of Rock'n'Roll, whether you like it or not.
Robert from Queens, NyCopied another idea? What was the first idea they copied, ohhhhh Their Satanic Majesty's Request. I'd listen to the Beatles if I wanted to hear pop music, I'll listen to the Stones when I want pure Rock n Roll.
Anne from York , EnglandIf you notice the Beatles recently had done the same thing on Revolution making entirely different versions of the smae song. I think the Stones copied another idea from the Beatles.
David from Youngstown, OhOne of the Stones' best albums, and my favorite song on Let It Bleed. It sounds like it's being played outdoors with the car horns and the other sounds of traffic.
Steve from Ottawa, CanadaThis version of Honky Tonk Women was arranged for the Stones by Gram Parsons (Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers) in exchange for the Stones allowing the Flying Buritto Brothers to record Wild Horses.
Alain from Gainesville, FlThis is my favorite version, great song!