Heart of Stone by the Rolling Stones, 1964. See song facts etc.

If you like this, you can make a donation through PayPal. Starting at just $5, your support helps cover the costs of maintaining the site. All donations are voluntary, you can still access all content. Thank you! *Donate here

About Heart of Stone by the Rolling Stones

Because it will never break, never break, never break, never break…

Written by: Jagger/Richard
Recorded: RCA Studios, Hollywood, USA, November 2-3, 1964
Guest musicians: Jack Nitzsche (tambourine, piano)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

*Click here for MORE ROLLING STONES SONGS FROM 1962 TO TODAY

More to Heart of Stone by The Rolling Stones

Can this song be considered the true beginning of the songwriting partnership between Jagger and Richards? Whether it is or not, the song clearly reflects the band’s evolution between their first and second singles written by the Dartford duo. While Tell me (you’re coming back) can be seen as a pleasant pop melody about a lover who longs for his girlfriend, Heart of Stone has a protagonist who takes cruel pleasure in making girls cry and boasts about having a heart of stone that no one can break. To put it bluntly, this is someone you wouldn’t want to meet.

After a series of carefully orchestrated publicity stunts by Andrew Oldham – starting with the famous headline “Would you let your sister go out with a Rolling Stone?” in Melody Maker – the London quintet now promoted a darker, more misogynistic image in their own music. The sentence “I have no love” out of Heart of Stone should not be taken literally, but has a slogan-like quality that underscores the Stones’ intention to stand out.

Recorded at RCA Studios in Hollywood, Heart of Stone was not released in the UK until 10 months later, but was a perfect fit for the American market. Released as a single with a slower tempo typical of the US style, it features a well-crafted composition by Jagger and Richards in the tradition of the blues. The song reinforces the stereotypical image of the “bad boy” who pursues women, although it suggests that, despite all her attraction, she would never soften his “heart of stone”. The guitar work is sophisticated (with Keith Richards taking inspiration from Jimmy Page’s riffs) and was effectively captured by producer Dave Hassinger, who modestly claims he merely helped the band out and wisely let their positive energy guide him through the session. Jack Nitzsche also contributed piano, rounding out the successful recording.

Jack Nitzsche contributes piano and tambourine. Nitzsche was a key figure behind the scenes, producing and arranging for the Rolling Stones and numerous other rock artists. He worked as an arranger with Phil Spector and played a key role in creating the famous Wall of Sound on ’60s recordings by The Ronettes, The Crystals and The Righteous Brothers.