# “That’s jail to me”: How being out on bail led to one of The Rolling Stones’ most overlooked classics

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/thats-jail-to-me-how-being-out-on-bail-led-to-one-of-the-rolling-stones-most-overlooked-classics/
- Published: 2026-11-07T02:45:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T03:26:31+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/being-on-bail-the-rolling-stones-most-overlooked-classic/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Jagger and Richards wrote the song while awaiting sentencing on bail.
- They feared it could be their last track for a while.
- The band sped up its dirge-like original while retaining its mood.

## Summary

Keith Richards and Mick Jagger wrote a Rolling Stones song while out on bail after the band’s 1967 drug arrests, fearing they would soon be sent to prison. The track became a thank-you to fans who had stood by them, and its mix of vulnerability and energy is why it is regarded as an overlooked classic.

Richards recalled the period as a low point, describing the song as a last chance to make music before “the jail doors started slamming”. The early version was slow and dirge-like, so the band adjusted its timing to make it more upbeat without losing its melancholy feel. Pianist Nicky Hopkins contributed the piano part.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.