Sir Mick Jagger personally invited Robert Smith to sing on the new Rolling Stones album after the pair crossed paths at a London studio during sessions for Foreign Tongues, which is due for release on 10 July. The unexpected studio meeting led to Smith, frontman of The Cure, contributing backing vocals to the record.
How the collaboration happened
Jagger explained the moment during an on-stage conversation with Conan O’Brien in Brooklyn after the album announcement:
“I turned up one day to do my vocals in London, and there’s this bloke standing there with his back to me and this long gown on.
“When he turned around, it was covered in lipstick. I said, ‘I’ve never met you before, but you’re Robert Smith of the Cure.’
“He said, ‘Yeah!’ I said, ‘While you’re here, we better go and do something.’ He sings a backing vocal.”
The impromptu studio encounter is the reason Smith ended up on the album.
Paul McCartney also appears on the record
The new Rolling Stones album will also feature Sir Paul McCartney. Conan O’Brien joked it would have been “really funny” if the band had made him audition.
Keith Richards said McCartney’s involvement came about in a similarly casual way, explaining that he was in the studio next door while the Stones were recording Hackney Diamonds in 2023.
“He wanted to come by and play with the band. He wanted to tick that box.”
Charlie Watts appears posthumously
The album also includes contributions from late drummer Charlie Watts, who worked on a number of new songs in his final years before his death in August 2021, aged 80.
One track, Hit Me In The Head, has already been completed for Foreign Tongues.
Jagger said:
“We did that in LA with Charlie. It’s a real fast punk rocker. It’s a super fast song.”
For the rest of the album, Steve Jordan handles drums.
Richards said:
“He was recommended by Charlie. Charlie passed on the baton to him.”
Recorded in west London
The album was recorded at Metropolis Studios in West London and is said to combine the band’s classic sound with new sonic and lyrical ideas.
Ronnie Wood praised the atmosphere in the studio:
“The atmosphere in the room was so creative, and the whole band was on top form throughout the whole process. Very often we nailed it on the first take. I hope everyone loves it.”
