| "Scarlet" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Rolling Stones featuring Jimmy Page | ||||
| from the album Goats Head Soup (2020 reissue) | ||||
| Released | 22 July 2020 (2020-07-22) | |||
| Recorded | October 1974 | |||
| Length | 3:44 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jagger/Richards | |||
| Producer(s) | Jimmy Miller | |||
| The Rolling Stones singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| 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
"Scarlet" is written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and produced by Jimmy Miller. It is described as "a raw, scratchy, loose limbed and actually rather sweet ditty with a cod reggae feel and lots of guitars". The lyrics narrate "a girl named Scarlet who is doing wrong". It was recorded in October 1974. 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, while Richards recalled walking in during the end of rock band Led Zeppelin's session, after which their guitarist, Page, "decided to stay". It is thought to be titled after Page's daughter, Scarlet Page. When asked why it went unreleased for nearly 50 years, Jagger said that the song "wasn't really a Rolling Stones record".
Remixes
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". 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".
Music video
The music video stars Irish actor Paul Mescal, and was filmed at Claridge's Hotel in London with social distancing. It depicts Mescal in hotel rooms and empty bars, leaving the titular character desolate voice messages, drinking, dancing, and eventually collapsing in the lobby. The music video was directed by Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor, and released on 6 August 2020.
Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.
The Rolling Stones
- Mick Jagger – vocals, guitar
- Keith Richards – guitar
Additional personnel
- Ian Stewart – piano
- Ric Grech – bass
- Howard Kilgour – engineering
- Jimmy Miller – production
- Jimmy Page – guitar
- Bruce Rowland – drums
- Rod Thear – engineering
Charts
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard) | 31 |
References
- ^ "Scarlet – Jimmy Page, The Rolling Stones – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (22 July 2020). "Rolling Stones Drop 'Scarlet,' Unreleased Track With Jimmy Page". Variety. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- 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.
- ^ 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.
- Doyle, Patrick (14 August 2020). "The Rolling Stones and War on Drugs Team Up for 'Scarlet' Remix". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- Legaspi, Althea (28 August 2020). "The Killers, Jacques Lu Cont Remix the Rolling Stones' 'Scarlet'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- Greene, Andy (6 August 2020). "Watch the New Rolling Stones Video 'Scarlet,' Starring Paul Mescal". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- 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.
- 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.
- "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2020.