Highwire

Album: Flashpoint (1991)
Charted: 29 57
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Stones recorded this for Flashpoint in 1991. The album consists of live recordings from their Steel Wheels tour followed by 2 new studio tracks, this and "Sex Drive."
  • The song is a commentary on the international arms trade and the events that led to the first US war with Iraq, which ended around the time this was released.
  • The first line - "We sell them missiles, we sell them tanks, we give them credit, you can call up the bank," was censored when The Stones performed it on the BBC TV show Top Of The Pops.
  • Bernard Fowler sang background vocals. Since the '90s, he has appeared on many Rolling Stones tracks. He has also worked with Yoko Ono, Sly & Robbie, Bootsy Collins, Duran Duran, Living Colour and Herb Alpert. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 2

  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaJeez, if the war back then was thought to be bad, think about this war.
  • Chelsea from Nyc, OrFirst time the Stones were censored in a long time.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Amanda Palmer

Amanda PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.