Keith Richards has praised Sir Mick Jagger‘s relentless creativity, revealing that the Rolling Stones‘ upcoming album came together quickly because the frontman “won’t bloody stop” writing and recording new material.
The legendary rock band are set to release Foreign Tongues in July, less than two years after the success of Hackney Diamonds, their first album of original material in 18 years.
Keith Richards credits Mick Jagger’s creativity
Speaking to The Guardian, Richards said the momentum generated by Hackney Diamonds naturally carried over into the recording of the band’s next project.
“Mick’s been very prolific lately, which is one reason this album has come out so quick, because he won’t bloody stop.
“And the momentum from Hackney Diamonds was such that this is basically carrying on in the same breath. I was just letting it roll – we had enough stuff if we wanted to keep pushing, and so Mick and I gave each other the usual wry look and said: ‘Yeah, let’s keep pushing.’”
The comments suggest the band entered the new recording sessions with a substantial amount of material already in development following the release of Hackney Diamonds in 2023.
A songwriting partnership spanning nearly eight decades
Richards also reflected on his lifelong relationship with Mick Jagger, a partnership that has produced some of the most influential songs in rock history.
The guitarist joked that their shared history still gives him leverage during creative disagreements.
“I’ve known Mick, I think, roughly since preschool, so let’s say about four years old.
“And when you’ve known a chap that long, you always say: ‘Listen to me, boy, I’ve known you since you were four …’ And that seems to have an effect.”
Richards and Jagger first met as children in Dartford, Kent, before forming what would become one of music’s most successful songwriting partnerships.
Age has softened old rivalries
While the relationship between Jagger and Richards has famously experienced periods of tension over the decades, Richards suggested their dynamic has become less combative with age.
“No, there’s not as much jousting.
“He’s broken his sword, he’s broken his lance. It’s another thing that Mick and I gave up, probably down to age. Or at least he hasn’t come at me for a while, so I presume we have.”
The pair have occasionally clashed over musical direction, with Jagger often embracing contemporary influences while Richards has traditionally favoured the band’s blues and rock foundations.
Keith Richards praises producer Andrew Watt
Richards also highlighted the contribution of producer Andrew Watt, who worked on both Hackney Diamonds and the forthcoming album.
“He knows his stuff musically and technically, and he doesn’t put up with any bull**** – he just gets on with it. So I found him very easy to work with. He’s a bit impetuous at times, but then so what?”
The guitarist described Watt as:
“a breath of fresh air and a kick up the a**.”
When asked whether the producer had ever challenged him directly in the studio, Richards responded:
“No. But he may have given somebody a talking-to.”
The Rolling Stones show no signs of slowing down
With Foreign Tongues arriving in July and Jagger approaching his 83rd birthday, the latest comments reinforce the remarkable longevity of The Rolling Stones.
