Though credited, like most Rolling Stones compositions, to the singer guitarist pair of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song was primarily the work of Jagger, who wrote it sometime during the filming of Ned Kelly in 1969. Originally recorded over a three day period at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama during 2-4 December 1969, the song was not released until over a year later due to legal wranglings with the band's former label though at the request of guitarist Mick Taylor, they debuted the number live during the infamous concert at Altamont on 6 December.
The song was written by Jagger with Marsha Hunt in mind, Hunt was Jagger's secret girlfriend and mother of his first child Karis at this important time in his life. In a Rolling Stone interview from 1995, Mick Jagger said "God knows what I'm on about on that song. It's such a mishmash. All the nasty subjects in one go... I never would write that song now." When performed live, Jagger often changes the lyrics from, "Just like a young girl should," to, "Just like a young man should." and "Hear him whip the women just around midnight," to the less offensive, "You shoulda heard him just around midnight." 'Brown Sugar''s popularity actually often overshadowed its scandalous lyrics, which were essentially a pastiche of a number of taboo subjects.

Since its release in May 1971 as the first single from the 'Sticky Fingers' album - and the first single released on Rolling Stones Records [RS-19100], the track has become a classic rock radio staple.
While the American single featured only 'Bitch' on the B-side, the British single featured that track plus a live rendition of Chuck Berry's 'Let It Rock', recorded at the University of Leeds during the 1971 UK tour.

In the film Gimme Shelter, an alternate mix of the song is played back to the band while the band relax in a hotel in Alabama.
An alternate version was recorded on 18 December 1970, at Olympic Studios in London, after - or during - a birthday party for Richards. It features appearances by Al Kooper on piano, and Eric Clapton on slide guitar, and was released on the flip side of the bootleg 7" 'Cocksucker Blues'.

Picture sleeves from around the world

153 editions worldwide include 'Brown Sugar' on the 7" format.

'Brown Sugar' was coupled with 'Bitch' in most countries, but was also released as a 3-track EP - with the additional 'Let It Rock' live - in the UK, France, and Lebanon, or with 'Wild Horses' and 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' in Mexico; it was uniquely backed with 'Wild Horses' in Turkey. In 1982, Germany reissued the track coupled with 'Tumbling Dice' on B-side in a 60's shot cover!!!
The original single was re-released in 1984 worldwide [but North America] in a new picture cover and as a shaped picture disc to promote the LP compilation 'Rewind 71-84' - it peaked at #58 in the UK.
On the Record Store Day of April 16, 2011 - incidentally the 40th anniversary of its original release - the 1971' UK EP was reissued by Universal Music as a limited numbered edition.

'Brown Sugar' was covered by the following artists:

• Adams, Ryan & Orton, Beth: 2001 V/A CD Gimme Shelter Vol. 1 (17 covers of RS classics)
• Bourbeau, Newbury and Co.: 1995 tape: V/A: Exile On The Information Superhighway.
• Clifters: 1989 Album: Sexi On In. Finnish title 'Hei Pepe'
• Count, The: 1994 CD: V/A: Boston Gets Stoned.
• Curious Kurt: 1992 CD: Curious Kurt Plays Keith Richards.
• Jebadiah: 1978 LP: Rock 'N Soul.
• Little Richard: 1971 LP: King Of Rock And Roll.
• London Symphony Orchestra:1990 CD: The L.S.O. Plays The Music Of The Rolling Stones, '94.
• Midnight Ramblers: 1995 CD: V/A: Perfectly Stoned. Norway.
• Newbury, Bob: 1994 Cassette: V/A : Undercover Of The Net.
• Pikes, The: 1999 CD 'As Years Go by - A Tribute to the Rolling Stones', Doppelganger
• Skyhooks, The: Live. Australia.
• Songrise Orchestra: 1994-5 CD: The Music Of The Rolling Stones : 16 Instrumental Hits. EEC.
• Sonics, The: 1978 LP: Sounds Of The Rolling Stones.
• Swamp Rats, The: 1970s 7" USA [Pittsburgh - Seque 107] - promo.
• Tritons, The: 7", France, 1970's.

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'Bitch' was covered by:

• Exodus: 1992 album 'Force Of Habit'
• Dave Matthews Band: 2008 live
• Goo Goo Dolls: 1997 CD compilation 'No Alternative'
• Man, Herbie: instr. 1973 LP 'London Underground' w/ Mick Taylor

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