Torn And Frayed by The Rolling Stones

Album: Exile on Main St. (1972)

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This was very much a country sound for the Rolling Stones, who were influenced by Gram Parsons, a good friend of Keith Richards who visited The Stones while they were recording Exile on Main St. in France. The lyrics could relate to either Parsons or Richards, who were weary from their hectic lifestyles. The guitar player's coat in the song is "torn and frayed" from being on the road - a look at the less glamourous side of being a rock star.
Al Perkins played the pedal steel guitar, possibly at the recommendation of Parsons. After working on this track, Perkins played on Parsons' solo albums and went on to play for Dan Fogelberg, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos and Sixpence None the Richer.
This also features Nicky Hopkins on piano and Jim Price on organ. Price is a horn player - trombone, trumpet, horn - who also occasionally played keyboards. He played on records for many British artists, including George Harrison All Things Must Pass, Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2

Comments: 9

Dano from Missouri I always thought it was “wined”… and he’s bound. As opposed to wined and dined, maybe?
Kit from Calgary, AbIn relation to the 'wind and he's bound' lyric: I was trying to figure it out too, doesn't make sense to me, but then I looked at the 2002 live version and there is a hard consonant on the first word, it sounds like they sing 'tired and he's bound' which makes more sense. Whatever that lyric, great song.
Bernard from Paris, Francefantastic pedal steel on that track and i agree, totally underrated track, one of the best stones song ever and maybe the best on exile.
Karen from Kennett Square, PaThis is my "new" favorite of the Stones. I wonder why it's so overlooked? Couldn't be better,
Cooter from Kansas City, Mosecond line: way underground, wind and bound - or wind and he's bound; don't get the wind part. wind, like down wind? wind like wound up too tight? the latter seems to fit, but it doesn't sound right listening to the song and why not say wound. before the net, i always thought it was "way underground, what good is down?". yep. i'm a nerd on blow.
Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiI LOVE THIS SONG! My favorite line is "Well the ballrooms and smelly bordellos, and dressing rooms filled with parasites."
Craig from Melbourne, AustraliaThe song was written by Jagger and is about Keith.
Robert from Queens, NyEventually Gram Parsons was kicked out of the Stones "Inner Circle" so to speak, he was told to leave the Villa Keith Richards rented in France because of pressure the French Police were putting them under because of the thousands of dollars worth of heroin we being smuggled in.

Parsons overdosed on morphine and alcohol and is remember in Richards' song "Before They Make Me Run"
Grayson from Cleveland, Ohvery underated song. may be my favorite on Exile...

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