Between the Buttons

With the release of the remastered super audio CDs (SACD) of the Stones ABCKO catalog (which includes all the early Decca/London material), there are now 2 different Between The Buttons releases available, the original UK version that was released on January 20, 1967 and the US version that was released on February 10, 1967. There are now 2 US versions, the original CD release (which is the same mix as the original vinyl release) and the remastered version, which has much better sound, although some reviewers are commenting that not all tracks have been mixed to the same quality level.

In addition, the UK and US versions include different tracks. The Stones designed the UK release, which did not include the just released single Let's Spend The Night Together and Ruby Tuesday. The American record execs removed Back Street Girl and Please Go Home to make room for the two single cuts. To clarify:

There are 3 Between The Buttons releases:
January 20, 1967 - U.K. Decca (remastered on SACD)
.....does not include Let's Spend The Night Together and Ruby Tuesday
February 10, 1967 - U.S. London (remastered on SACD)
.....does not include Back Street Girl and Please Go Home
February 10, 1967 - U.S. London (not remastered)
.....does not include Back Street Girl and Please Go Home

Back Street Girl and Please Go Home were released in the U.S. on the Flowers album on July 14, 1967. Let's Spend The Night Together and Ruby Tuesday were released on an album in the U.K. on Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) on September 12, 1969.

Note: ABCKO acquired the Stones' catalog when Allen Klein became their manager in the 70s. The resulting legal battles produced releases that the Stones opposed (they took out full page adds asking fans not to buy them), including the controversial Metamorphosis releases (which are now available on CD for the 1st time ever). But the sad fact is that the Stones lost control of their great early material. With the remastered SACD releases, we at last have some idea of what they really sounded like in the studio. I guess if we had these 40 years ago they would have ended up Greatest Rock And Roll Band in the Universe instead of just the Greatest Rock And Roll Band in the World.

The Between The Buttons tracks were recorded in 1966 as follows:

Aug 3-11, 1966 at RCA Studios in Hollywood
.....Who's Been Sleeping Here?
.....Miss Amanda Jones
.....Connection
.....Back Street Girl
.....All Sold Out
.....Please Go Home
.....Let's Spend The Night Together
.....Something Happened To Me Yesterday
.....Cool, Calm, Collected
.....Complicated
.....Yesterday's Papers
.....She Smiled Sweetly
.....My Obsession
Nov 9-26, 1966 at Olympic and Pye Studios in London
.....Ruby Tuesday
.....final mixes were done on all the Aug RCA Studio tracks as well

Tracks recorded at the Aug RCA sessions but not released on Between The Buttons were:
.....Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
.....Who's Driving Your Plane (also released as Who's Driving My Plane)
Tracks recorded at the Aug RCA sessions but never released were:
.....Panama Powder Room
.....Godzi
.....Get Yourself Together
.....Something BB
Tracks recorded at the Nov Olympic/Pye sessions but not released on Between The Buttons were:
.....Dandelion
Tracks recorded at the Aug RCA sessions but never released were:
.....Trouble In Mind
.....English Summer

An interesting note is that English Summer was intended as a UK single release, but it was put on hold (and never released) when Brian, Mick, and Keith's arrests began in the summer of 67. We Love You was released instead. It was recorded with Nicky Hopkins, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney as a thank you for fan support during the trials.

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own collection.


The Stones Triumphant   October 31, 2003
M. Allen Greenbaum (California)
31 out of 37 found this review helpful

This is probably the best of the Stones' three albums released between June 1976 and June 1977, with "Flowers" and "Aftermath" following. The songs are incredibly creative, with great variations in arrangements and mood, from the sexual rocker "Let's Spend the Night Together" to the truly romantic "She Smiled Sweetly" and the music hall romp of "Something Happened to Me Yesterday." It's also one of Jagger's most impressive vocal performances, with nuanced, risk-taking interpretations.

"Let's Spend the Night Together" and "Ruby Tuesday" were released in the U.S. as the A- and B-sides. Because of the sexual lyrics of Let's Spend the Night Together, " "Ruby Tuesday" got more airplay and reached #1 on Billboard. Both songs represent the best of the Stones, and were included on the later "Flowers" LP. The great `Night' benefits from Jagger's impassioned vocals, rocking guitars and piano, and the doo-wop background at the break. The drumming is sometimes unimaginative though, but that's a minor problem. "Ruby Tuesday" is one of rock's greatest lyrical achievements, and, again, Jagger is completely triumphant." Brian Jones' recorder solo is just one of many examples of multi-instrumental texture on the album.

"Yesterday's Papers" is even better than remembered. It's fairly prosaic lyrically, but the minor key, unusual arrangement, and a great riff on marimba make this another great. "Connection" is also a bit simple, but has great drumming and drive, as well as the fun of all those "ion" rhymes: "direction," "injection," "infection," etc. "She Smiled Sweetly and "Cool, Calm, and Collected" are among Jagger's finest vocals. On the former, he sounds vulnerable, even grateful, and he sings it straight in a simple, low-toned voice. The Dylan-esque quality is notable as well as the churchy Hammond organ meshing with the almost reverential tone. Definitely a departure for the Stones. The latter song typically criticizes a woman, but there's a very playful quality in both Jagger's voice and the instrumentation and playing: a banjo/sitar, ragged piano, harmonica, and kazoo. (There's also some fun, purposefully bad notes by Richards, and a sped-up ending) It's a fantastic combination of the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Bonzo Dog Band, and echoes England's great music hall tradition. The same mix permeates the wonderfully playful "Something Happened to Me Yesterday," one of their most underrated songs (and even more reminiscent of the Beatles).

The remaining songs are more typical (but still excellent) Stones fare, with "Amanda Jones" standing out for its harmonies and driving rock/pop attitude. "All Sold Out" (dig those "hey hey!" background vocals) and "My Obsession" (great bass riff, drumming, and probably Nicky Hopkins on piano) feature Keith Richard's biting guitar licks. They barely qualify as solos, but they give a taste of things to come. "Who's Been Sleeping Here" echoes Dylan both vocally and musically (It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" is obvious) and, though Jagger's vocal is uneven, the mix of acoustic and electric guitars is very appealing. Only "Complicated" is a disappointment. The best of these songs predate and, arguably, rival the creativity of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper." The album definitely evokes 1960's London, but the sound is transcendent.


NOT WHAT THE ROLLING STONES INTENDED - BUY THE UK VERSION   October 27, 2002
Brian Christie (Montreal, Canada)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

Don't get me wrong, the music on this CD is superb (hence the 5 star rating) but when The Rolling Stones and Andrew Loog Oldham (producer) made these recordings in the latter half of 1966 and sequenced it for release, THIS is not how the envisioned it. Their authorized version was issued in England on January 20, 1967 with "Let's Spend The Night Together" & "Ruby Tuesday" as their current single SEPERATE from the album (common UK practice at the time). In North America, they were shoehorned onto BETWEEN THE BUTTONS and in their place, "Backstreet Girl" & "Please Go Home" (both, especially the former, fine songs) were knocked off and put onto the loose ends US-compiled FLOWERS album in mid-1967. Buy the UK version. It's what the band intended, and besides, you can hear "LSTNT" & "RT" on FORTY LICKS, HOT ROCKS, THROUGH THE PAST, DARKLY & THE SINGLES COLLECTION. And chances are that you'd already have one of those above mentioned hits collections if you're shopping for their proper studio albums. Hope this helps. :-)


Doesn't get any better than this!   June 14, 2006
Cumulonimbus Harpe (Fresno, California, United States)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

I don't care what anyone thinks, this is my all time favorite Rolling Stones. Everything about it is truly amazing. The songs are so diverse; they range from simple rockers like "Connection" and "My Obsession" to divine classics like "Let's Spend The Night Together" and "Ruby Tuesday". "Let's Spend The Night Together" is the best Stones song ever recorded. I love everything about it; from the drumming to the backing vocals. "Ruby Tuesday" also stands out as very heartfelt, especially with Brian Jones playing the recorder. "Yesterday's Papers" is another good one that really has that sixties sound to it. I especially like the guitar solo in it. "She Smiled Sweetly" is a lovely ballad and songs like these are very rare in the Stones catalog. I love "My Obsession" also; it's very simple as is "Connection", where Keith delivers some of his best back-up vocals. "Something Happened To Me Yesterday" ends the album sweetly; the song is light hearted and fun. I enjoy listening to it.




Stop! You Want the UK Release, Not this US Release!   January 10, 2006
Talking Wall (Queen Creek, AZ)
10 out of 14 found this review helpful

Don't let my stars mislead you... The "real" Between the Buttons is a five star release, but this isn't the "real thing" If you want to hear "Between the Buttons" the way it was meant to be heard you want to purchase the UK release, also available here at Amazon.com. The American release was butchered by greedy American record executives. One of the really nice highlights of the UK release was ommitted from the US Release (Backstreet Girl) If you MUST have Ruby Tuesday and Let's Spend the Night Together you should purchase the UK release of "Between the Buttons" and then the SACD Hybrid "Through The Past Darkly" which is loaded with the Stones hits from 66 - 69.