Scarlet (song)

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"Scarlet"
Single by The Rolling Stones featuring Jimmy Page
from the album Goats Head Soup (2020 reissue)
Released22 July 2020 (2020-07-22)
RecordedOctober 1974
Length3:44
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)Jagger/Richards
Producer(s)Jimmy Miller
The Rolling Stones singles chronology
"Criss Cross"
(2020)
"Scarlet"
(2020)
"Troubles a' Comin"
(2021)
Music video
"Scarlet" on YouTube

"Scarlet" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones featuring guitarist Jimmy Page. The song was released through Polydor as a single from the reissue of the 1973 album Goats Head Soup on 22 July 2020.

Background and composition[edit]

"Scarlet" is written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and produced by Jimmy Miller.[1] It is described as "a raw, scratchy, loose limbed and actually rather sweet ditty with a cod reggae feel and lots [...] of guitars".[2] The lyrics narrate "a girl named Scarlet who is doing [Jagger] wrong".[2] It was recorded in October 1974.[3] Jagger stated that the song originated in musician Ronnie Wood's home in Richmond, London during a studio session with Richards and guitarist Jimmy Page,[2] while Richards recalled walking in during the end of rock band Led Zeppelin's session, after which their guitarist, Page, "decided to stay".[3] It is thought to be titled after Page's daughter, Scarlet Page.[4] When asked why it went unreleased for nearly 50 years, Jagger said that the song "wasn't really a Rolling Stones record".[5]

Remixes[edit]

On 14 August 2020, the band released a remix by rock band The War on Drugs, which introduced "a pulsing new groove that kicks into double-time for the chorus".[6] A second remix, featuring rock band The Killers and DJ Jacques Lu Cont was released on 28 August. It involved "a resonant, reverberating opening" and "layers of symphonic touches".[7]

Music video[edit]

The music video stars Irish actor Paul Mescal, and was filmed at Claridge's Hotel in London with social distancing.[8] It depicts Mescal in hotel rooms and empty bars,[9] leaving the titular character desolate voice messages, drinking, dancing, and eventually collapsing in the lobby.[5] The music video was directed by Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor, and released on 6 August 2020.[10]

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[1]

The Rolling Stones

Additional personnel

Charts[edit]

Chart (2020) Peak
position
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] 31

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Scarlet – Jimmy Page, The Rolling Stones – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c McCormick, Neil (22 July 2020). "The Rolling Stones and Jimmy Page's Scarlet is a raw reminder of what happens when rock stars collide". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (22 July 2020). "Rolling Stones Drop 'Scarlet,' Unreleased Track With Jimmy Page". Variety. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  4. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (9 July 2020). "Lost Rolling Stones song with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page to be released". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b Willman, Chris (6 August 2020). "Mick Jagger and Paul Mescal Share Notes on the Rolling Stones' Happy-Go-Drunky 'Scarlet' Video". Variety. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  6. ^ Doyle, Patrick (14 August 2020). "The Rolling Stones and War on Drugs Team Up for 'Scarlet' Remix". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  7. ^ Legaspi, Althea (28 August 2020). "The Killers, Jacques Lu Cont Remix the Rolling Stones' 'Scarlet'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  8. ^ Greene, Andy (6 August 2020). "Watch the New Rolling Stones Video 'Scarlet,' Starring Paul Mescal". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  9. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (7 August 2020). "Paul Mescal gets drunk in a hotel room for new Rolling Stones video 'Scarlet'". The Independent. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  10. ^ Ryan, Patrick (6 August 2020). "Rolling Stones: 'Normal People' star Paul Mescal dances in tight tank in new 'Scarlet' video". USA Today. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  11. ^ "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2020.

External links[edit]