The Rolling Stones' Anti-Stones: A Song Written in a 'Horrible Little Apartment'
In the early 1960s, Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham had a unique approach to getting the band's songwriters, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, to have a productive writing session. He locked them in a kitchen in a 'horrible little apartment' with no access to the bathroom until they came up with a song. This controversial method, as Richards recalled, 'worked.'
The first song to emerge from this lockdown session was 'As Tears Go By,' which became a milestone hit for Marianne Faithfull. Richards described it as 'the most totally anti-Stones sort of song you could think of at the time,' possibly influenced by their unusual circumstances. Despite the initial resistance, the Stones' creative process was sparked, and they began to explore original material.
This story highlights the power of unconventional methods in the creative process. Sometimes, a little discomfort or constraint can inspire unique and groundbreaking work. It's a reminder that creativity can thrive even in unexpected places, and that sometimes, the most brilliant ideas come from the most challenging situations.
