Tattoo You cover art

  Studio Album · No. 20

Tattoo You Songwriting Credits by The Rolling Stones

1981 Rolling Stones Records 11 tracks 44 min

Produced by The Glimmer Twins  ·  Engineered by Chris Kimsey

Rolling Stones Records Hard RockRock and RollRock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Rolling Stones carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
11 trackswritten by The Rolling Stones 0 tracksoutside writers
The Rolling Stones's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
3
Lyricists
2
Producers
1981
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Best Album Package (1982)
Data Insight

Tattoo You was assembled largely from outtakes drawn from earlier sessions rather than written fresh, with associate producer Chris Kimsey combing the band's archives for usable material. Several tracks trace back to the Goats Head Soup era, including 'Waiting on a Friend' and 'Tops' from 1972, while others originate in the Black and Blue, Some Girls, and Emotional Rescue periods. The songs are credited to Jagger/Richards, produced by the Glimmer Twins, though 'Black Limousine' and 'No Use in Crying' add Ronnie Wood as a co-writer. The rock-heavy first side and the slower, soul-tinged second side both grew from this salvaging process.

Released August 24, 1981, Tattoo You reached number one in the US and UK and remains one of the best-selling Stones albums. Largely assembled from outtakes and unfinished recordings from previous sessions (1972-1979). 'Start Me Up' was a rejected outtake from the Some Girls sessions. 'Black Limousine' and 'No Use in Crying' include Ronnie Wood as co-writer.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Start Me Up #2
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
2
Hang Fire
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
3
Slave
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
4
Little T&A
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
5
Black Limousine
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsRonnie Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsRonald David Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
6
Neighbours
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
7
Worried About You
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
8
Tops
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
9
Heaven
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
10
No Use in Crying
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsRonnie Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsRonald David Wood Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
11
Waiting on a Friend #13
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors

KR
Keith Richards
Writer · Producer
On this album11 written
MP
Michael Philip Jagger
Writer · Producer
On this album11 written
MJ
Mick Jagger
Writer · Vocals
On this album11 written
RD
Ronald David Wood
Writer
On this album2 written
RW
Ronnie Wood
Writer
On this album2 written

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Frequently Asked Questions Tattoo You

Why is Tattoo You made up of outtakes?
The Rolling Stones needed a new album to support a 1981 tour but had little fresh material, so associate producer Chris Kimsey assembled the record from outtakes left over from earlier sessions. The tracks were then overdubbed and finished. The result drew on recordings spanning nearly a decade.
How old are some of the songs on Tattoo You?
Several tracks date back years before the 1981 release. 'Waiting on a Friend' and 'Tops' originate from the Goats Head Soup sessions in late 1972. Other songs come from the Black and Blue, Some Girls, and Emotional Rescue eras.
Who wrote the songs on Tattoo You?
Most tracks are credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by the Glimmer Twins. Two songs, 'Black Limousine' and 'No Use in Crying,' add guitarist Ronnie Wood as a co-writer. There are no cover versions on the album.
How high did Start Me Up chart?
'Start Me Up' reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent three weeks held off the top spot by Christopher Cross's 'Arthur's Theme.' It became one of the band's most recognizable songs. The track was originally recorded during the Some Girls sessions in Paris.
Did Waiting on a Friend become a hit?
'Waiting on a Friend' reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1982. The song originated from the Goats Head Soup sessions in late 1972 and was completed years later for Tattoo You. It features a saxophone solo by jazz musician Sonny Rollins.
Did Tattoo You win any awards?
Tattoo You won the 1982 Grammy Award for Best Album Package, recognizing Peter Corriston's cover design. The album was also certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States. It topped the US albums chart for nine weeks.

Sources

Wikipedia: Tattoo You Wikipedia: Start Me Up Wikipedia: Waiting on a Friend MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Tattoo You by The Rolling Stones