"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.
| "Scarlet" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Rolling Stones featuring Jimmy Page | ||||
| from the album Goats Head Soup (2020 reissue) | ||||
| Released | 22 July 2020 | |||
| 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 | ||||
Background and composition
"Scarlet" is written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and produced by Jimmy Miller.[1] It is described as "a raw, scratchy, loose limbed and actually rather sweet ditty with a cod reggae feel and lots [...] of guitars".[2] The lyrics narrate "a girl named Scarlet who is doing [Jagger] wrong".[2] It was recorded in October 1974.[3] 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,[2] while Richards recalled walking in during the end of rock band Led Zeppelin's session, after which their guitarist, Page, "decided to stay".[3] It is thought to be titled after Page's daughter, Scarlet Page.[4] When asked why it went unreleased for nearly 50 years, Jagger said that the song "wasn't really a Rolling Stones record".[5]
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".[6] 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".[7]
Music video
The music video stars Irish actor Paul Mescal, and was filmed at Claridge's Hotel in London with social distancing.[8] It depicts Mescal in hotel rooms and empty bars,[9] leaving the titular character desolate voice messages, drinking, dancing, and eventually collapsing in the lobby.[5] The music video was directed by Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor, and released on 6 August 2020.[10]
Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.[1]
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)[11] | 31 |