Even though I’m not a great fan of Jagger’s first two solo albums, Wandering Spirit released in the early nineties was a beautiful album. It’s filled with wonderful tunes. Our track of the week ”Sweet Thing” is just one of them. It’s not the best track on the album but it is one of my favorites and an incredibly sexy track. In fact, it’s one of the most sexual songs I’ve ever heard. It’s got a great beat, a very cool bass and the saxophone…wow! Jagger’s vocals are spot on. He still had his full vocal range at his disposal. Everything on this tune works. I was blown away when I heard it the first time and I still am.
It’s funny how music can trigger memories. I was a young, dirt-poor student when this came out. Consequently, I didn’t have money to buy CDs. Newsflash for the younger folk, back then the only way for you to acquire music was to buy CDs. Unless you went to a public library and checked out one of the latest releases by your favorite artists, you had to fork over about 25 dollars at Tower Records to listen to them.
Anyway, I remember borrowing Wandering Spirit from the local library. It was a stunningly beautiful summer’s day. I had just gotten married to my first wife. I was young and happy, not a care in the world. And I remember how impressed I was when “Wired All Night” started booming out of my loudspeakers. Jagger singing, “I’m as hard as a brick, hope I never go limp.” Yeah, the embodiment of rock’n’roll, Mick Jagger in what was his finest hour as a solo act.
Sorry, this write-up was supposed to be about “Sweet Thing”. It’s just that I have so many great memories. Can’t help it.
Life’s a rollercoaster and it’s hard to know how to navigate through it without getting hurt or hurting others, if not downright impossible. The older I get the more convinced I become that I know nothing. But I do know this, it sure is nice to return to these wonderful memories, even if only for a split second. That already in itself is a very sweet thing. Great music just makes it even better. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go put “Sweet Thing” on.
You can learn more about Mick Jagger here:
About the curator - Tommi Tikka
Tommi Tikka is a linguist, poet, professional songwriter, recording artist and a music aficionado. He started playing guitar when he was four and writing songs when he was six. Consequently, he doesn't remember a time when he wasn't playing or writing. It's fair to say, music and lyrics are not just something he loves to engage himself in. To him, they are a way of life.
You can check out his current band The Impersonators here:
And the music of his previous group Carmen Gray here: Spotify