I can hearz you knocking, stopz knocking while the knockinz good.

December 8, 2009 7:09 AM

Is there a version of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" by The Rolling Stones that doesn't have the annoyingly stupid ending with the saxophones?

I love the first few minutes of Can't You Hear Me Knocking, but then...all of a sudden...The Rolling Stones turn into Blind Faith.

I was wondering if there is a kicking live version or some studio outtake where they play the first part as one song with a great ending? Do they always play the jam at the end?

I was hoping for a version that has as much ass-kick as the album version, without the jam.

posted by sully75 to Media & Arts (4 answers total)

Having searched Stones bootlegs for years, I have never come across an alternate studio version of that song. It also bears mentioning that the band did not perform that song live until 2002 or so, and then I'm pretty sure they let Ronnie Wood perform the extended solo. You can find plenty of bootlegs of that, I'd wager, but they'll never rival the intensity of the Sticky Fingers cut.

The Stones' ex-lead guitarist Mick Taylor also performs that song at his concerts. But when you cut out Keith's punchy rhythm playing and Mick Jagger's vocals, all you're left with is the guitar hero whose Santana-like noodling grates on your nerves (I happen to enjoy the stylistic detour).

If you're looking for justification, though, I have read interviews with band members who said that the second half of the song was not written, but just emerged live in the studio.
posted by DeWalt_Russ at 8:30 AM on December 8, 2009

Seriously, I love that solo. The sax plays a solo and Taylor, note for note repeats it. Not easy. But of course Taylor was THE greatest.

Having said that, try the Rolling Stones Bootleg CD's page.
posted by Ironmouth at 8:48 AM on December 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

Came in to recommend the Stones bootleg page but Ironmouth beat me to it.

Though that is my very favorite Rolling Stones song, extended jam and all. Takes all kinds, I suppose.
posted by Kwine at 8:55 AM on December 8, 2009

I used to hate that, too. You could wait some years and maybe it'll grow on you like it did for me.

Or send me an email.
posted by 6550 at 9:23 AM on December 8, 2009