Released December 1973 Label Rolling Stones/Virgin | Length 4:25 | |
B-side "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" Recorded November & December, 1972 Genre Rock and roll, proto-punk | ||
"Star Star" is a song by The Rolling Stones that appeared on their 1973 album Goats Head Soup. In some European countries, including France and Germany, it was released as a single backed with "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)." One of the raunchiest songs in the band's catalogue, the song was originally titled "Starfucker" until Atlantic Records owner Ahmet Ertegün (Atlantic was the distributor of Rolling Stones Records) insisted on the change.
Contents
The song gained notoriety not only for explicit lyrics alluding to sex acts involving fruit (among other things) but also for controversial mentions of such celebrities as John Wayne and Steve McQueen. It was released about nine months after Carly Simon's affair with Jagger and the release of the song, "You're So Vain". Simon, who was by now married to fellow singer-songwriter James Taylor, had moved to Hollywood, which is mentioned in the lyrics of Star Star. While discussing the song, the band members have always referred to the song by its original title. A live performance was captured and released on 1977's Love You Live. (Atlantic also tinkered with the mix, drowning a few key words with studio trickery, on all pressings except the very first promo copies.)
The song
"Star Star" is a classic, Chuck Berry-style rocker that slowly increases in momentum as the song progresses. The opening lick, stabs in the verses and solo are played by Keith Richards and the rhythm guitar by Mick Taylor. Bill Wyman's bass line is postponed until the second verse.