Released 20 January 1967 | Recorded November 1966 | |
Genre Psychedelic rock, psychedelic pop Length 2:04 (stereo version)
2:28 (mono version) Label Decca/ABKCO (UK)
London/ABKCO (US) Writer(s) Mick Jagger/Keith Richards | ||
Yesterday's Papers is a song by The Rolling Stones from their 1967 album, Between the Buttons. It was the first song that Mick Jagger wrote on his own for The Rolling Stones. It was the opening track on the UK version of that album and was included on the US version as the second track.
Contents
Background
In the song, recorded in late 1966, Brian Jones's vibraphone and Jack Nitzsche's harpsichord are prominent: Keith Richards plays a distorted guitar with Charlie Watts on drums and Bill Wyman on bass. A bootleg recording exists of an alternate backing track that includes strings.
Whereas the stereo mix fades after one chorus, the mono mix continues for one more full chorus. Additionally, the mono version is at one point near the end missing some of the backing vocals heard on the stereo version.
The song is supposedly directed at Jagger's ex-girlfriend Chrissie Shrimpton, whose relationship with Jagger at the time turned sour. It is noted for suggesting a negative treatment of women, comparing "yesterday's girl" to "yesterday's papers", as something that can be just thrown out. This is exacerbated by the fact that Shrimpton tried to commit suicide over the breakup.
The song has been covered by Chris Farlowe.