Primitive Cool

Primitive Cool
Studio album by
Mick Jagger
Released14 September 1987
Recorded17 November – 18 December 1986, and January–May 1987
Studio
GenreRock
Length49:20
LanguageEnglish
LabelColumbia
ProducerKeith Diamond, Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart
Mick Jagger chronology
She's the Boss
(1985) 		Primitive Cool
(1987) 		Wandering Spirit
(1993)
Singles from Primitive Cool
  1. "Let's Work"
    Released: August 1987[1]
  2. "Throwaway"
    Released: November 1987 (UK/US)
  3. "Say You Will"
    Released: November 1987 (EU)

Primitive Cool is the second solo album by English singer Mick Jagger, released in 1987. As the follow-up to Jagger's 1985 album She's the Boss, Primitive Cool was another attempt by Jagger to become a solo star.

Background

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Following the release of the Rolling Stones album Dirty Work in 1986, relations between Jagger and Keith Richards soured after Jagger decided to not tour to promote the album in favour of starting his second solo project. Richards was vocal about his discontent in the media—which Jagger replied to, also publicly; "Kow Tow" and "Shoot Off Your Mouth" were reportedly written in response to disparaging remarks made about Jagger by Keith Richards.[citation needed] Undeterred, Jagger promptly began work on Primitive Cool, recording in the Netherlands and Barbados.

Joining up with David A. Stewart and Keith Diamond in the producer's chair, Jagger used Jeff Beck as the regular guitarist for the sessions, seeking to have more uniformity in the recordings.

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Robert ChristgauB−[3]
Number One[4]
Rolling Stonefavourable[5]

Released in September 1987 with "Let's Work" as the lead single, the commercial reaction to Primitive Cool was not as welcoming as the reception for She's the Boss, with the album merely reaching No. 26 in the UK and No. 41 in the United States with "Let's Work" and follow-ups singles "Throwaway" and "Say You Will" were minor hits, not at all rivalling "Just Another Night" in commercial success. As a result, although Jagger toured Primitive Cool, it was only in Japan, Australia & New Zealand, not feeling confident enough to attempt American or British shows.

Reissue

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Although originally released by Columbia Records, Primitive Cool was acquired and reissued by Atlantic Records in 1993, following the release of Jagger's third album, Wandering Spirit, which was issued by Atlantic.

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Mick Jagger, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Throwaway" 5:03
2."Let's Work"Jagger, David A. Stewart4:50
3."Radio Control" 3:56
4."Say You Will"Jagger, Stewart5:07
5."Primitive Cool" 5:50
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Kow Tow"Jagger, Stewart4:55
7."Shoot Off Your Mouth" 3:35
8."Peace for the Wicked" 4:02
9."Party Doll" 5:20
10."War Baby" 6:39
Total length:49:17

Personnel

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Production

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  • Produced By Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart & Keith Diamond
  • Engineers: Jon Bavin, Manu Guiot, Bob Rosa, Ed Stasium
  • Assistant Engineers: Paul Hamingson, Michiel Hoogenboezem, Glen Johansen, Scott Mabuchi, Moira Marquis, Danny Mormando
  • Mixing: Michael Barbiero, Paul Hamingson, Ed Stasium, Steve Thompson
  • Digital Editing: Rhonda Schoen
  • Mastering: Greg Calbi
  • Cover design: Christopher Austopchuk, Francesco Clemente

Charts

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Chart (1987) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[6] 25
UK Top 100 Albums 26
US Billboard 200 41

Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[7] Gold 50,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Singles

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Year Single List Position
1987 "Let's Work" UK Top 100 Singles 31
Mainstream Rock Tracks 7
Billboard Hot 100 39
Hot Dance Music/Club Play 32
Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 48
"Throwaway" Mainstream Rock Tracks 7
Billboard Hot 100 67
"Say You Will" Mainstream Rock Tracks 39

References

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  1. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 32.
  2. ^ Primitive Cool at AllMusic
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert (27 October 1987). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York: VV Publishing Corporation. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  4. ^ Panos, Andrew (10 October 1987). "Review: Mick Jagger — Primitive Cool (CBS)". Number One. No. 225. London: IPC Magazines Ltd. p. 12. ISSN 0266-5328. Retrieved 18 November 2022 – via Flickr.
  5. ^ [1] Archived 15 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992: 23 years of hit singles & albums from the top 100 charts. St Ives, N.S.W, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 153. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Mick Jagger – Primitive Cool". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
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