Tattoo You

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Often viewed as the band's last great album, Tattoo You contributed one true classic, "Start Me Up," to the Stones' canon. The song, still used as a concert finale, begins with a fat Keith Richards guitar riff and ends with a leering Mick Jagger murmuring about a woman who could "make a dead man come." The rest isn't as consistent as, say, "Sticky Fingers," but the fast-paced "Hang Fire," the surprisingly non-sexy "Waiting on a Friend," and Richards's "bitch"-filled "Little T&A" make this the Stones' best '80s release by far. Released in 1981, it was the right album at the right time, with strong singles just after MTV began. With typical savvy, the Stones maneuvered gently into the video age. --Steve Knopper

Tracks:

Start Me Up
Hang Fire
Slave
Little T & A
Black Limousine
Neighbours
Worried About You
Tops
Heaven
No Use In Crying
Waiting On A Friend

Amazon.com

Often viewed as the band's last great album, Tattoo You contributed one true classic, "Start Me Up," to the Stones' canon. The song, still used as a concert finale, begins with a fat Keith Richards guitar riff and ends with a leering Mick Jagger murmuring about a woman who could "make a dead man come." The rest isn't as consistent as, say, "Sticky Fingers," but the fast-paced "Hang Fire," the surprisingly non-sexy "Waiting on a Friend," and Richards's "bitch"-filled "Little T&A" make this the Stones' best '80s release by far. Released in 1981, it was the right album at the right time, with strong singles just after MTV began. With typical savvy, the Stones maneuvered gently into the video age. --Steve Knopper

Customer Reviews:

I wish there was a 10 star scale..........2007-05-12

Amazon really needs to consider some alternatives to the five star ratings. It is simply too easy to lump a variety of albums into one category even though they may differ slightly. It's the difference between a B+ and a B- if you will - sorry, it's the teacher in me. I would make this a 6 if it were a 10 point scale, opposed to Dirty Work or Emotional Rescue or Black and Blue being 7s. It's good but not a Stones cd that I play all the time. I play other eighties Stones albums more than this if that gives you any perspective.
What I used to really like about this recording was that, in the vinyl days, one side was rock, the other slower songs. It was kind of cool that you could choose your mood and play the side to fit. Granted, you can do the same now as the pacing is not changed, but I just wanted to point out that geezer factoid. I tend to like the slower side best. There are some really great songs there and Mick is in fine form.
The rocking side has the more familiar numbers including Start Me Up which can make the unique claim of having its opening riff being universally accepted as a sports icon. In sports arenas around the globe, Keef's opening hammer-on chording signals the faithful to get up and cheer the home team. Not many musicians can make that claim - not that they'd want to, either. It is a fast-paced and typical Stones rocking cadre of songs and it won't disappoint even the casual Stones fan. Ronnie's contribution of Black Limousine is the highlight for me. I love the Stones doing the blues.
Many call this the last great album or some such label and I disagree. All Stones albums since the 70s have to be taken at face value - they have some good and some average and even some bad. Yet, it's the Stones and that always makes me happy.

80s Stones.......2007-05-06

Contains a few great songs, has a couple of decent songs and one or two I could do without. Generally, it is the Stones...

The Last Great Rolling Stones Album.......2007-02-10

Don't believe the negative reviews. Tattoo You is one of The Rolling Stones' greatest albums! Unlike Some Girls and Emotional Rescue, there's not a trace of disco on this one. Infact, the album could be considered a sequel of sorts to Sticky Fingers. Many of the songs mirror ones from that album. Instead of 'Brown Sugar,' we're given 'Start Me Up,' which was the Stones' best rock single since then. Instead of 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking,' we're given 'Slave,' a jam that also features a superb blend of guitar and saxophone. Indeed, the sax makes its most triumphant return here, courtesy of the great Sonny Rollins and Bobby Keyes. Instead of 'You Gotta Move,' we're given 'Black Limosine,' and so on. Also like Sticky Fingers, Tattoo You features just as many rockers as slow numbers.

To dismiss Tattoo You as simply an album of out-takes is ignorant. It delievers in a way that no other Stones album has been able to since, partly because it is the last one to have that "classic Stones" sound. In addition, it can't be denied that great talent went into the tracks. Tattoo You features no less than 4 amazing gutiarists - Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Wayne Perkins, and Mick Taylor. The book "According to the Rolling Stones" even lists Pete Townshend among the credits. I suspect that he played on 'Worried About You' since the beat is similar to The Who's 'Baba O' Riley', but who knows. Perkins does an awesome guitar solo on 'Worried About You' and Taylor appears on 'Tops' and 'Waiting on a Friend.'

Considering what came after it (Undercover, Dirty Work, Steel Wheels), it's no wonder that Tattoo You is considered the last great Stones album. Voodoo Lounge, while not a complete failure, is littered with filler and Bridges to Babylon has hip-hop overtones in spots. Only until A Bigger Bang did the band finally release an album that was fairly consistent in quality. Tattoo You is definitely worth buying and I also recommend Still Life, a live album from their 1981-1982 tour that serves as the perfect bonus CD to this great album.

THE STONES ROCK WITH TATTOO YOU!.......2006-12-15

I will be writing a review on the legendary brilliant masterpiece CD album simply entitled "TATTOO YOU" by THE GREATEST ROCK N' ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD, THE ROLLING STONES! This album was originally released on vinyl/LP and cassette in 1981 on the infamous Rolling Stones Records label which is manufactured by Columbia Records/CBS Inc. I purchased the very first release of this album on CD and the matrix or ID number is CK 40502. I also purchased the re-release issue of this album in the Collector's Edition on the Virgin Records label. The matrix or ID number is 7243-8-39502-2-5. If I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary album, I will edit this review so that you the consumer will get the best and most accurate review possible.

In my opinion, "TATTOO YOU" is an another outstanding album and production by The Glimmer Twins! I will list and briefly review all the song tracks in their exact order as follows: (1.) "Start Me Up," (Outstanding! Brilliant! Magnificent! Another great fast rocker by The Stones which is also an anthem in my sports events! What a great way to begin this legendary album! This song, believe it or not, was originally recorded as a Raggae song during the "EMOTIONAL RESCUE" sessions! I love this song dearly very much!) (2.) "Hang Fire," (Outstanding! Another great fast rocker by The Stones! I love this song, its one of my favorites!) (3.) "Slave," (Outstanding! Another great rocker! I love it!) (4.) "little T & A," (Outstanding! Another great fast rocker sung by Keith! I love this song!) (5.) "Black Limousine," (Outstanding! Another great fast rocker! I loved the way The Stones performed this song during their 1981-82 North American Tour. I love this song!) (6.) "Neighbors," (Outstanding! Another great Stones rocker! I love it!) (7.) "Worried About You," (Outstanding! Another great slow Stones song! One of the rarest moments that you will ever hear Mick sing at the falsetto vocal level besides "Miss You!" I love it!) (8.) "Tops," (Outstanding! Another great slow Stones song! I love this song!) (9.) "Heaven," (Outstanding! Another beautifully crafted and arranged slow song sung by Mick using his lead falsetto vocals! I love this song dearly!) (10.) "No Use In Crying" (Another great slow Stones song! I love it!) and (11.) "Waiting On A Friend." (Outstanding! Brilliant! Magnificent! Another great slow rocker by The Stones! I love Mick's lead falsetto vocals! I love this song so much and is so very dear to me! This song is a great way to conclude this album! I love it!) Overall, all of the song tracks in this album are nothing short of outstanding! A brilliant album indeed!

As you can see, this album is definitely worth purchasing that he or she should definitely own as part of his or her collection. This album, like many of the other Stones great albums, will be enjoyed and cherished for many years to come. Great album.

In closing, what can I say about The Stones that hasn't already been said? Besides The Beatles, The Stones have contributed and accomplished so much in Rock n' Roll while living the Rock n' Roll lifestyle their way and on their terms which is extremely fast! The Stones are still THE GREATEST ROCK N' ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD indeed! Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. God Bless and long live The Rolling Stones! Long live Rock n' Roll! Rock out always and take care. J.L.

strong release from a band considered over the hill.......2006-11-01

The most amazing aspect of this album was that it was a very strong release coming from a band that had been around almost 20 years.

Back in the 1970s with "Some Girls", even that album was considered pretty good for such an old band. "Emotional Rescue" was a misfire and this band was written off for good.

They ROAR into the 1980's with this album that was not only high qulaity for the Stones but the songs were bona fide contemporary radio and MTV staples.

"Start me Up", "Hang Fire" Little T & A" and "Waiting on a friend " are the standouts.

They never came close again. It was all downhill from here.

Average customer rating:

Middle of the Road
Newly Remastered CD = Excellence
A Delicious Record, Windows Notwithstanding
Raucous rock and stirring ballads

Tattoo You
The Rolling Stones
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Some Girls
Sticky Fingers
Emotional Rescue
Exile on Main St.
Goats Head Soup

ASIN: B000AM6OLC
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

Start Me Up
Hang Fire
Slave
Little T & A
Black Limousine
Neighbors
Worried About You
Tops
Heaven
No Use In Crying
Waiting On A Friend

Customer Reviews:

Middle of the Road.......2007-06-11

Tattoo You marked the end of an era for the Rolling Stones. It was their last U.S. #1 (it's not like everything since has flopped, though), and it's the nominal pick for "last great Stones album" - that is, when rock critics aren't praising Some Girls, which by the way is leagues ahead of Tattoo You. (then again, the several critics who today still consider this the "last great Stones album" seem to have conveniently forgotten they fell over each other to praise Steel Wheels, Voodoo Lounge and A Bigger Bang). But I don't consider this the "last great Stones album", for two reasons. One, the Stones have yet to enter a truly stagnant period - even the mid-'80s fiasco (how else would you explain the back-to-back releases of Undercover and Dirty Work) was at least partially recovered from with Steel Wheels (and totally saved with Voodoo Lounge), while the awful Bridges to Babylon was followed by the pretty good Bigger Bang. Another reason I don't consider this the last great Stones album is simply because I don't consider it great.
Not to say it's a wrtetched excuse for an album - there are five really good songs on this album. Slave is a fun jazzy reggae jam with Pete Townshend on backup vocals. In fact, I think it may be my favorite Stones reggae song (though the song Sweet Black Angel would probably argue if I said that, because that's a good reggae song too) - Luxury, You Don't Have to Mean it and Cherry Oh Baby can bite my derriere (saying rude words in French makes me feel sophisticated). Hang Fire is a frenzied, fun rockabilly blast of a song. Little T&A is a fun, perverted Chuck Berry boogie. And Neighbors is an enjoyable enough generic blues song. Oh, plus you have your two uberhits. I like the sleazy, riff-happy rocker Start Me Up as much as the next guy. But I also don't think it would be a crime to slow down its radio play by just a little bit. It's not like DJs everywhere are gonna be murdered in alleys because they didn't play Start Me Up for the 504,013 time, okay? I much prefer the melodic jazz/reggae ballad Waiting on a Friend, a sensitve song with a good sax solo. Easily the Stones' best song of the '80s.
Then we get to the bad stuff, and I'm not just talkin' about the ballad side, either. Black Lmousine is just some random half-thought-out blues jam with shrill high-pitched harmonica squeaks ruining every chance of it being potential potential entertainment. Heaven is probably my least favorite Stones original. Who wants to hear the Stones indulge themselves in an "atmospheric, shimmering bedroom song"? Eh, I don't. And what's with Mick's vocals? Let's just forget that song ever existed and move onto... the other three dull ballads! Tops, No Use in Crying and Worried About You aren't as bad as Heaven, but I still hate 'em all. Pretty much interchangable songs. Sorry, but it's true.
Oh, and this is little more than a collection of remixed outtakes. We'll go through the recording dates in chronological order, shall we? Waiting on a Friend dates back to 1970; Tops, 1972; Black Limo, 1973; Worried About You, 1974; Start Me Up and Slave, 1975; Hang Fire, Little T&A and No Use in Crying, 1979; Heaven and Neighbors, 1980. So it's just a bunch of warmed-up leftovers. Yeah, warmed-up leftovers are okay. At least you get something to eat. But wouldn't you rather a steak fresh off the barbeque?

Newly Remastered CD = Excellence.......2006-12-29

I bought the LP version of this album the DAY it was released and played it on my Technics turntable again and again. Now, 25 years later, listening to this newly-remastered CD version made me realize just how wonderfully produced the album was for its time. Maybe some of the songs aren't as memorable as those on BB, LIB or Exile, but one thing's undeniable--the sound quality never got better than this for the band. The 1980s would bring a lot of production opportunities that the band and its producers were probably right to try out at the time, but with mixed results. So this is (fittingly) the last great album of the 1970s Stones . . . That's right, since most of these tracks were written (and occasionally even recorded) in the 1970s, so if you've never heard anything from the album besides the 2 - 3 big hits, fear not. There's no "Undercover of the Night" or "Winning Ugly" types of filler here.

This is the real deal, and if you have the chance, listen with headphones to get the best audio experience for the band's best-sounding album. Bar none.

A Delicious Record, Windows Notwithstanding.......2006-06-11

I'm a Mac person, love my iBook to death. Got an iMac with a big hard drive, got it stuffed full of Rock and Roll. I don't like Windows almost as much as I don't like disco. So it was a great groan I had, followed by a long sigh, when I realized that the Greatest Group on Earth again sold out. This time to Microsoft when they allowed them to use this song to advertise the Start button or whatever it is they call it in Windows. Anyway, that not withstanding, it's just a powerful rock song, as is "Hang Fire" and "Little T & A." "No Use in Crying" is a song I play often, but the album's closer "Waiting on a Friend," is my favorite on this record. It's just a delicious song on a delicious record. This album opens with a bang and closes with a swoon, can't get better than that. Oh well, they made this record long before Windows was invented, so it really shouldn't bother me that they allowed "Start Me Up" to be used years later they way they did, but it kind of does.

Raucous rock and stirring ballads.......2006-03-22

Tattoo You contains some raucous rock 'n roll and a couple of beautiful, soulful ballads. Although not considered to be amongst their very best albums, there is enough here to make it a worthwhile purchase.

The opener, Start Me Up, is the Stones at their high powered best with its killer riff and insistent rhythm, whilst the melodic Hang Fire with its impressive vocals comes a close second. These were big hits and can be found on many Stones compilations.

The bluesy Black Limousine and the reggae-influenced Slave aren't bad either, but ballads like Tops and Heaven fall somewhat beneath their high standards. This may be forgiven though, since the closing number, the poignant Waiting On A Friend sees them at their soulful best. It's a moving ballad on a par with earlier great moments such as Wild Horses and Dead Flowers from 1971s Sticky Fingers album.

Overall Tattoo You is thus an uneven work but the aforementioned highlights more than make up for the few tepid and uninspired ballads. I give it four stars but that is judging it by the high standards of their own work.

Average customer rating:

I wish there was a 10 star scale...
80s Stones
The Last Great Rolling Stones Album
THE STONES ROCK WITH TATTOO YOU!
strong release from a band considered over the hill

Tattoo You
The Rolling Stones
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Some Girls
Emotional Rescue
Goats Head Soup
Sticky Fingers
It's Only Rock 'N Roll

ASIN: B000008OKV
Release Date: 1994-06-28

Tracks:

Start Me Up
Hang Fire
Slave
Little T & A
Black Limousine
Neighbours
Worried About You
Tops
Heaven
No Use in Crying
Waiting on a Friend

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

I wish there was a 10 star scale..........2007-05-12

80s Stones.......2007-05-06

Contains a few great songs, has a couple of decent songs and one or two I could do without. Generally, it is the Stones...

The Last Great Rolling Stones Album.......2007-02-10

THE STONES ROCK WITH TATTOO YOU!.......2006-12-15

strong release from a band considered over the hill.......2006-11-01

Average customer rating:

SONG LIST

Tattoo You
Rolling Stones
Manufacturer: ©1981 Rolling Stones Records/ CBS Grammofoonplaten
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Similar Items:

Some Girls
Dirty Work
Bridges to Babylon
Voodoo Lounge
It's Only Rock 'N Roll

ASIN: B000K8KEXA

Product Description

This is the Original CBS Release. Catalog # CK 40502

Customer Reviews:

SONG LIST.......2007-03-16

1. Start Me Up
2. Hang Fire
3. Slave
4. Little T & A
5. Black Limousine
6. Neighbours
7. Worried About You
8. Tops
9. Heaven
10. No Use in Crying
11. Waiting on a Friend

Average customer rating:

A Delicious Record, Windows Notwithstanding

Tattoo You
The Rolling Stones
Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Black and Blue
Some Girls
Exile on Main St.
Emotional Rescue
It's Only Rock 'N Roll

ASIN: B000E6GD0G
Release Date: 2006-03-27

Tracks:

Start Me Up
Hang Fire
Slave
Little T&A
Black Limousine
Neighbours
Worried About You
Tops
Heaven
No Use in Crying
Waiting on a Friend

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Customer Reviews:

A Delicious Record, Windows Notwithstanding.......2006-06-11

Average customer rating:

Sweater Girl

Manufacturer: My New Tattoo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAFM24
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Just Walk Away
Wednesday
Sweater Girl
Can We Start Over
I Promise Not To Say I Love You
Radio Song
I Ask Myself
I Should Have Known Better
Downtown
Running Around With You
Wally the Spider
Come A Good Mile
Driving Me Crazy

Average customer rating:

Amy Hailstone
Amy Hailstone
Manufacturer: New Tattoo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000BQZ1SO
Release Date: 2004-12-21

Tracks:

Girl Next Door
There You Are
Homecoming
Don't Think Too Much
Talk
It's Amazing
Don't Wanna Miss Anymore
Changed My Mind
So Far, So Good
I Can Fly
Love Leaves

Product Description

Full length audio cd.

Average customer rating:

Hellbound Train
Rev. Silas T. Sasquatch
Manufacturer: Reverend Sasquatch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Spoken Word | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA92I4
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Holy Trinity
In the Beginning
Big Bang
KKK
Ten Commandments
Support the Ministry
Betty Boop's Tattoo
Nature of Penguins
Lonely Seagull Song
Jesus Loves Snakes
Child Abuse
Food Preservation
Used Cars
Chiastic Structure
Intelligent Design

Average customer rating:

Tattoo You
Rolling Stones
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000LXIYTU

Average customer rating:

Tattoo You
Rolling Stones
Manufacturer: EMI Distribution
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000DQRN
Release Date: 1994-06-28

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