Release Date: June 20, 1980
Label: Rolling Stones
Popular Songs:
Songs You Need to Listen To:
Review Written By: Andy Trcka
June 24, 2019
Emotional Rescue is the first Stones album I’ve been alive for. And I’m not speaking in the metaphorical sense – I was born in September 1979. Looking back to June 1980, I wonder…was I too young to shuffle to the dance-inspiring pace of Emotional Rescue, or just hungover from Some Girls? Maybe I was just overly concerned with the Iran hostage crisis? I can’t recall exactly, but in my adult years I am comfortable saying Emotional Rescue is worthy of your attention and a chapter in an era of the Stones catalog that is genuinely entertaining.
Emotional Rescue picks up where Some Girls left off – in a dance hall with disco pulsing through the air. It is rumored this album is comprised of outtakes of Some Girls, so you’ll notice some continuity between the albums. While Some Girls ignores the punk movement, Emotional Rescue incorporates the genre – “Where the Boys Go” is fast charging, aggressive and enjoyable. Where punk is occasionally channeled, disco is evident throughout. With disco’s influence being less overt than its predecessor, the result is a slightly less imaginative recording. Thinly veiled influences render this a quality album versus classic. While Some Girls can be appreciated in innumerable settings, the more aggressive nature of this album lends it to a smaller number of environments. Emotional Rescue is best enjoyed where loud music is welcomed.
I wouldn’t characterize it as a cult following, but this album commands the attention of an enthusiastic legion. Mick and Keith were hanging in different circles when this album was crafted. This might explain why Rescue’s best song, “Emotional Rescue,” could seamlessly fit into a Bowie album – Mick was known to chum around with David. Perhaps their friendship influenced this album, thus making it more attractive to David Bowie fans than other Stones efforts? Just a hypothesis! I also might be digging a little more deeply than necessary as my thoughts are framed by a small sample size; my friend Kyle is a big Bowie fan and also loves the Emotional Rescue. Ultimately the reason doesn’t matter, just understand there are groups of people that genuinely enjoy this album. One reason the album is so attractive is Jagger’s falsetto on the title track is pleasing almost to the point of mesmerism. It serves as the most defining component of a truly great Stones song. In case you are curious, Kyle’s justification for liking the album, “one word: falsetto.”
It is not rocket science…Rescue has a following because some of the songs are awesome! “She’s So Cold” and the accompanying “She Was Hot” (from the Undercover album) are genuine chart-toppers and fun inserted into any lineup. “Send it to Me,” with a Caribbean tempo and harmonica background, blends influences as few other than the Stones are capable of. “Let Me Go”, “Summer Romance” and “Dance (Pt 1)” are fun rockers. Rockers aside, what ultimately what puts a smile on my face with this effort are the slow songs.
“Indian Girl” melds a Latin American beat with a country lap steel. The song provides a pleasing contrast to the fast-moving tempo that dominates the rest of the album. “Down in the Hole” provides an agreeable glimpse at the sound the Stones will conjure in their 2016 release, Blue and Lonesome.
What the Stones give us with Emotional Rescue is a solid effort where the disco influences are more pronounced than its predecessor but still very listenable. Looked at as a part of a triad (Some Girls, Emotional Rescue and Tattoo You), you’ve got some damn fine quality rock and roll. The triad is only a small piece of the Stones catalog but could constitute a meaningful career for most bands.
Lastly, give Hampton Coliseum (Live 1981) a listen if you are interested in an exceptional live recording from this era.
| Track # | Title | Notes |
| 1 | Dance (Pt. 1) | |
| 2 | Summer Romance | |
| 3 | Send It To Me | B + $ |
| 4 | Let Me Go | + |
| 5 | Indian Girl | + $ |
| 6 | Where the Boys Go | + |
| 7 | Down In the Hole | B $ |
| 8 | Emotional Rescue | ! |
| 9 | She’s So Cold | ! |
| 10 | All About You | $ |
Emotional Rescue: Released 6/20/1980 by Rolling Stones Records – reviewed by Andy Trcka of Andy’s Stones
Legend: ! = hit, single or famous track, B = B side to single, + = top track recommended by Andy’s Stones, $ = notable instrumentation or singing provided by supporting cast member (e.g. piano by Nicky Hopkins or percussion by Charlie Watts),
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