Winter

The Rolling Stones' song Winter is a piece that, despite being written in the sunny environment of Jamaica, vividly evokes the melancholy of winter in the northern hemisphere. Composed by Mick Jagger alongside Mick Taylor, who at the time was the band's lead guitarist, this song was the first recorded for the album Goats Head Soup, released in 1973. What's curious is that Winter does not feature Keith Richards, which makes it stand out within the band's repertoire.

The recording took place at Dynamic Sounds studio in Kingston between November and December 1972. Jagger opens the song with a delicate riff on rhythm guitar, while Taylor contributes his signature touch with licks reminiscent of country music and also uses slide guitar. The instrumentation is completed with Nicky Hopkins' piano and the rhythm section featuring Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums. Despite his notable contribution, Mick Taylor did not receive official recognition for his work on this song.

The lyrics of Winter reflect a blend of nostalgia and beauty, lamenting the hardships of the cold season while also celebrating its essence. Lines such as "it's been a hard winter" capture that struggle, while the desire for a warm summer lingers throughout the song. This duality in the lyrics invites those who play it to explore both the sadness and the hope that can arise in the coldest times.

The album Goats Head Soup is notable not only for its sound but also because it was the last to be produced by Jimmy Miller, who had been instrumental in shaping the band's distinctive sound since the late 1960s. With its mix of rock and country, Winter becomes an essential piece for understanding the Rolling Stones' style during this stage of their career, showcasing their ability to create evocative soundscapes in unexpected contexts.