Fresh off their appearance on last weekend's One World: Together at Home telethon with an affecting version of their 1969 anthem "You Can't Always Get What You Want," The Rolling Stones surprised fans earlier today with a brand-new song appropriate to these isolated, sheltering-at-home times. Alternately bluesy, funky, and rocking, "Living in a Ghost Town" conjures the kind of imagery that any of us looking out a window onto an empty street can surely appreciate.
The track was cut "well over a year ago in L.A. for part of a new album, an ongoing thing," Keith Richards reveals on the band's website, "and then shit hit the fan. Mick and I decided this one really needed to go to work right now and so here you have it." Jagger opined that the band felt the original song would "resonate through the times that we're living in right now. We worked on it in isolation. And here it is!" Ronnie Wood singles out its "haunting melody" and Charlie Watts says, "I think it captures a mood and I hope people who listen to it will agree."
You can watch the official music video for "Living in a Ghost Town" right here. If the video doesn't work on your browser, visit YouTube at this link.
In addition to its appearance on all streaming services and Amazon.com (U.S. Link / U.K. Link), the track is available exclusively through The Rolling Stones' webstore in physical CD and colored vinyl (both orange and purple formats).
Ross says
Just pre-ordered it on CD. Can't wait for the new album, whenever that comes out. Loved the Stones since forever. It's brilliant that they are still together and still recording.
Philip Ellison says
But you know, the Stones have already recorded the definitive tune for these times....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=24dq-cNRyC0
Ventilator Blues
When your spine is cracking and your hands, they shake
Heart is bursting and your butt's gonna break
Woman's cussing, you can hear her scream
Feel like murder in the first degree
Ain't nobody slowing down no way
Everybody's stepping on their accelerator
Don't matter where you are
Everybody's gonna need a ventilator
When you're trapped and circled with no second chances
Code of living is your gun in hand
Can't be browed by beating, can't be cowed by words
Messed by cheating, ain't gonna ever learn
Everybody walking 'round
Everybody trying to step on their Creator
Don't matter where you are, everybody, everybody gonna
Need some kind of ventilator, some kind of ventilator
Come down and get it
What you gonna do about it, what you gonna do?
What you gonna do about it, what you gonna do?
Gonna fight it, gonna fight it
Gonna fight it, gonna fight it
Gonna fight it, gonna fight it
Gonna fight it, gonna fight it
Gonna fight it, gonna fight it
Gonna fight it, gonna fight it
Gonna fight it, gonna fight it
Zubb says
great song!
John F. says
It's been 2 weeks since the release date. Has anybody seen any sign of the CD's yet?
Joe Marchese says
Hi John, the Stones' website currently reads "Your order will ship 3-4 weeks after the street date, June 12th." So hopefully copies will start showing up within the next couple of weeks.
John F. says
Thank you! Last time I checked it a few days ago, it said the release date was supposed to be April 29th. That's what I based my date on.