Did Jagger felt himself lonely at the top back in 85? It’s hard to believe while Jagger gathered around him an extended gang of musicians like this: the prolific Bill Laswell on bass guitar and synthesizer; Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Eddie Martinez, Nile Rodgers and G. E. Smith on guitars; also on bass guitar he had Bernard Edwards, Colin Hodgkinson and Robbie Shakespeare; playing keyboards, synthesizers, organ and piano there was Herbie Hancock, Jan Hammer, Guy Fletcher, Wally Badarou, Ron Magness, Chuck Leavell and Robert Sabino; on drums were pumping Sly Dunbar, Steve Ferrone , Anton Fig, Michael Shrieve and Tony Thompson and Ray Cooper, Anton Fier and Daniel Ponce delivered percussion while Aïyb Dieng played the shaker. Lenny Pickett played on the saxophone and Bernard Fowler, Fonzi Thornton and Alfa Pickett sung backing vocals. Sir Michael Philip Jagger got half a life? It’s even harder to believe, Jagger took at least double share of everything he could get. And I really and literally mean everything. So, we got 9 tracks, 43 minutes from a blend of Rock ‘N ‘Roll with Funk and very danceable rhythms in the most positive sense. I remember we had some crazy parties with this record back then. And still, “She’s The Boss” have pulse, have a very well balanced groove. “She’s The Boss” was caught between “Undercover” (1983) and “Dirty Work” (1986) of the mother band in the moment when The Rolling Stones singed to CBS Records and one of the options of the new contract made available to them individual projects, so Jagger after singing 20 years exclusively to The Rolling Stones was very exited about this new task. Only Keith Richards wasn’t pleased that Jagger was pursuing solo work, but even having communication troubles – and not only – they write together “Lonely at the Top”. And beyond the quality music, Jagger write some nice lyrics too.
We got half a life, we got half a dream
We got half a love, we got half a scheme
Always sitting in the darkness, I’ll wait for you
Nervous of the neighbors, I’d like a hotel room
Cause I’m indiscreet, can’t keep quiet
Heaven I don’t know how
I can’t go on seeing you like this
Give that knife just one more twist
This affair is really going to break my heart
Living half a life is better than nothing, half a dream
You know I can’t keep quiet ’cause I’m indiscreet
I guess half a loaf leaves me feeling hungry
Half a glass, half a dream, half a life
Heaven I don’t know how!
I can’t go on seeing you like this
Give that knife just one more little twist
This affair is really going to break my heart
Let’s call our friends! Let’s go hang out! Let’s go out dancing!
Let’s jump and shout! Let’s go be seen! Let’s dress up chic!
Show we’re in love! Right on our street!
Let’s go out trashy! Let’s go act cheap!
What does it matter what other people think?
Step in the bright lights!
Let’s go act wild!
I want to show that you’re mine all mine
Here’s to freezing in the doorways, here’s to taking separate taxis
To our stolen conversations, we’re never seen together
Half a dream, half a life, heaven I don’t know how!
But I can’t go on seeing you like this!
Give that knife just one more little twist
This affair is really going to break my heart
I can’t go on seeing you like this!
Give that knife just one more little twist…
Maybe it’s not a “Sticky Fingers”, but “She’s The Boss” still standing and probably it’s the best solo work of Jagger. Who’s the boss? If Mick Jagger said she’s the boss, I believe him. 😀
