By: Jay Broderick - I'll admit, growing up, I was never a real Rolling Stones fan. In fact, as my musical tastes grew, I really disliked the bands that you heard every time you turned on Toronto's Rock Station Q107. Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Aerosmith. It was all so overplayed in my opinion. I was so sick of it, and wanted something different. But I also just wasn't a huge fan of the music. That changed as I got older of course. I listen to a lot f classic rock now, but in the 80s? Nope..... wasn't for me.
That's why I find it odd that in 1985, when Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger released his debut solo album She's the Boss, I purchased myself a vinyl copy. It was a bit of blind buy (well, frankly most album purchases were blind back in the day, since we didn't have digital streaming to check anything out before hand), but I did hear the first single off the record, "Just Another Night", and I loved it. Record store, here I come!
Produced by Mick Jagger, with help from Bill Laswell and Nile Rodgers, Mick had some of the best musical talent on board for his first solo effort. Guitarists Jeff Beck and Pete Townsend, and Herbie Hancock on organs and synthesizers gave their support to the Rolling Stones vocalist. Unfortunately, not everybody was so enthusiastic. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was actually opposed to the idea, thinking that the band should be the top priority for each member. The guitarist's dissatisfaction was so great, that it actually caused a rift between the 2 long time friends that lasted for years. In his autobiography 'Life', Keith Richards is quoted as saying "Mick’s album was called She’s the Boss, which said it all. I’ve never listened to the entire thing all the way through. Who has? It’s like Mein Kampf. Everybody had a copy, but nobody listened to it."
Well, call me crazy! While the album sold well, and charted decently, it's true that it did not come with great reviews. But I must have been one in a million, because I really enjoyed the album, and it's an album that I still put on the turntable from time to time today. And yes, I listen to it all the way through.
3 official singles were released from the album. The aforementioned "Just Another Night" came first, followed by "Lucky in Love" and finally "Hard Woman". All 3 singles were worthy of their charting positions, with "Just Another Night" reaching Number 1 in the US. But the rest of the album is not to be ignored. The album's lead track "Lonely at the Top" is a high tempo starter that just might have you itching to get up on your feet. "Running Out of Luck" has a great groove, with cool melodies and a chorus that will have you singing right along with Mick. Finally, the title track, with an air of humour, reminds all of us men that "She's the Boss". "Watch your step boy!"
Listen, I ain't claiming that this is the best album prior to Metallica's Master of Puppets, but it's a solid record to stick on your turntable while you're cooking dinner or cleaning up on a Saturday afternoon. If you're from this era, and are a fan of rock and roll, give this another chance. You just might hear something you missed 40 years ago. If anything, have a bit of fun!
Track List
1. Lonely at the Top
2. 1/2 A Loaf
3. Running Out of Luck
4. Turn The Girl Loose
5. Hard Woman
6. Just Another Night
7. Lucky in Love
8. Secrets
9. She's The Boss
Mick Jagger Online
Release Date: February 19, 1985
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