Black and Blue cover art

  Studio Album · No. 17

Black and Blue Songwriting Credits by The Rolling Stones

1976 Rolling Stones Records 8 tracks 41 min

Produced by The Glimmer Twins  ·  Engineered by Keith Harwood, Glyn Johns, Phil McDonald, Lew Hahn

Rolling Stones Records RockFunk RockReggae RockDiscoBlues RockSoul
88%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 7 of 8 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 7 / 8 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Rolling Stones carries a lyricist or composer credit.

88%
7 trackswritten by The Rolling Stones 1 trackoutside writers
The Rolling Stones's roles on this album

Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist88%
Composer88%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

8
Tracks
3
Lyricists
2
Producers
1976
Released
Data Insight

Recorded during the search for Mick Taylor's replacement, Black and Blue doubles as an audition tape, with Wayne Perkins, Harvey Mandel, and Ronnie Wood each playing on different tracks before Wood officially joined the band in early 1976. Eight of the nine songs are Jagger/Richards originals produced by the Glimmer Twins; the lone cover is a reggae reading of Eric Donaldson's 'Cherry Oh Baby.' The writing leans hard into funk and reggae, with 'Hot Stuff' chasing the disco moment and 'Hey Negrita' stretching the band toward groove over song structure.

Released April 20, 1976, Black and Blue was effectively an audition album, recorded during the search for Mick Taylor's replacement, featuring guest guitarists Wayne Perkins, Harvey Mandel, and Ronnie Wood (who ultimately got the job). Reflects a broader stylistic range including funk and reggae. Features 'Hand of Fate,' 'Hey Negrita,' and a cover of Eric Donaldson's 'Cherry Oh Baby.'

Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Hot Stuff
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
2
Hand of Fate
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
3
Cherry Oh Baby
Eric Donaldson Eric Donaldson Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
4
Memory Motel
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
5
Hey Negrita
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
6
Melody
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
7
Fool to Cry #10
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
8
Crazy Mama
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 4 contributors

KR
Keith Richards
Writer · Producer
On this album7 written
MP
Michael Philip Jagger
Writer · Producer
On this album7 written
MJ
Mick Jagger
Writer · Vocals
On this album7 written
ED
Eric Donaldson
Writer
On this album1 written

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Frequently Asked Questions Black and Blue

Who wrote the songs on Black and Blue?
Eight of the nine tracks are originals credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The exception is 'Cherry Oh Baby,' a cover of the 1971 reggae song by Jamaican artist Eric Donaldson. The album was produced by the Glimmer Twins, the production alias for Jagger and Richards.
Which guitarists play on Black and Blue?
The album was recorded while The Rolling Stones were auditioning a successor to Mick Taylor, so different guitarists appear on different tracks. Wayne Perkins, Harvey Mandel, and Ronnie Wood all played on the record. Wood officially joined the band in early 1976.
Was Hot Stuff a single from Black and Blue?
'Fool to Cry' was the album's only official single. 'Hot Stuff' did chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 49, but it was a chart appearance rather than a formally released single.
How did Fool to Cry perform on the charts?
'Fool to Cry' reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the album's biggest hit. It also climbed to number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
What genres define Black and Blue?
The album mixes the band's rock foundation with heavy funk and reggae influences. 'Hot Stuff' reflects the mid-1970s disco climate, while 'Cherry Oh Baby' is a direct reggae cover. Soul and blues rock also color the record.
Who produced Black and Blue?
It was produced by the Glimmer Twins, the studio alias used by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The record was the band's first studio album released after guitarist Mick Taylor left The Rolling Stones.

Sources

Wikipedia: Black and Blue (Rolling Stones album) Wikipedia: Black and Blue (Rolling Stones album) Wikipedia: Fool to Cry MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Black and Blue by The Rolling Stones