Dirty Work cover art

  Studio Album · No. 22

Dirty Work Songwriting Credits by The Rolling Stones

1986 Rolling Stones Records / CBS Records 10 tracks 40 min

Produced by The Glimmer Twins, Steve Lillywhite  ·  Engineered by Dave Jerden, Steve Parker, Tom Crich, Mike Krowiak

Rolling Stones Records / CBS Records Blues RockRock and RollReggae
80%
Authorship
Songwriter

Holds writing credit on 8 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 8 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Rolling Stones carries a lyricist or composer credit.

80%
8 trackswritten by The Rolling Stones 2 tracksoutside writers
The Rolling Stones's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist80%
Composer80%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
7
Lyricists
3
Producers
1986
Released
Data Insight

Dirty Work was produced by Steve Lillywhite with the Glimmer Twins (Jagger and Richards), who wrote the original material. The standout exception is the lead single 'Harlem Shuffle,' a cover of Bob & Earl's 1963 R&B hit written by Bob Relf and Earl Nelson; it was the first lead single from a Stones studio album not to be a Jagger/Richards original since the band's earliest days. The record was made during a period of friction between Jagger and Richards, and the band did not tour behind it.

Released March 24, 1986, Dirty Work was made during the most fractious period of the Jagger-Richards relationship, with Jagger largely absent from the recording sessions. Keith Richards handled much of the leadership alongside co-producer Steve Lillywhite. The album includes 'Harlem Shuffle' (a Bob and Earl cover) and original tracks like 'One Hit (to the Body).' Guest appearances include Tom Waits and Jimmy Page.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
One Hit (to the Body)
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsRonnie Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsRonald David Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
2
Fight
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsRonnie Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsRonald David Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
3
Harlem Shuffle #5
Bob RelfEarl Nelson Robert RelfErnest Nelson Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
4
Hold Back
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
5
Too Rude
Half Pint Lindon Roberts Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
6
Winning Ugly
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
7
Back to Zero
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsChuck Leavell Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsCharles Alfred Leavell Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
8
Dirty Work
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsRonnie Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsRonald David Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
9
Had It with You
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsRonnie Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsRonald David Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
10
Sleep Tonight
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsSteve Lillywhite Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 14 contributors

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Frequently Asked Questions Dirty Work

Who produced Dirty Work by The Rolling Stones?
Dirty Work was produced by Steve Lillywhite together with the Glimmer Twins, the studio name for Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Lillywhite was known for his work with U2 and Peter Gabriel. His involvement gave the album a louder, more aggressive guitar sound.
Is Harlem Shuffle an original Rolling Stones song?
No. 'Harlem Shuffle' is a cover of the 1963 R&B song originally recorded by Bob & Earl and written by Bob Relf and Earl Nelson. It was the first lead single from a Stones studio album not to be a Jagger/Richards original since the band's earliest days. The Stones' version reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who wrote the original songs on Dirty Work?
All the original material on Dirty Work is credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The album's one notable exception is the cover 'Harlem Shuffle.' Songs like 'One Hit (To the Body)' carried the standard Jagger/Richards credit.
What singles were released from Dirty Work?
The lead single was 'Harlem Shuffle,' which peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 'One Hit (To the Body)' followed and reached the US top 30. 'Harlem Shuffle' was the album's biggest hit.
Did The Rolling Stones tour behind Dirty Work?
No. The band did not mount a tour for Dirty Work, partly because of tensions between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards during the period. Jagger pursued solo work instead. The album still went Platinum in the United States.
How did Dirty Work perform on the charts?
Dirty Work peaked at number 4 on both the US Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart. It was certified Platinum in the United States and Canada and Gold in the United Kingdom. 'Harlem Shuffle' was its commercial high point.

Sources