1965  The Rolling Stones UK and US Charts  The Last Time 60 years
today!'The Last Time' was issued 60 years ago today in the US!

Recorded at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California in January 1965, 'The Last Time' was the Rolling Stones' first UK single written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and the band's third UK single to reach #1 in the country, spending four straight weeks at the top on most of the numerous UK music charts in March and early April 1965.

Footage still exists of a number of performances of this song by the Rolling Stones in 1965: from the popular BBC-TV music show Top of the Pops, the 1965 New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert and American TV shows including The Ed Sullivan Show, Shindig! and The Hollywood Palace. The footage establishes that the distinctive guitar riff was played by Brian Jones while the chords and guitar solo were played by Keith Richards.

A fan favourite and popular song in the Stones' canon, it was regularly performed in concert during the band's 1965, 1966 and 1967 tours. It was then left off their concert setlists until 1997-98, for the Bridges to Babylon tour.

Although the song is credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Richards has mentioned that it was based on a traditional gospel song called 'This May Be The Last Time', recorded by The Staple Singers in 1955.

In 1967, The Who rush-recorded a version of this song which would be coupled with 'Under My Thumb' on a rare single to show support for Jagger and Richards, who had been sentenced to prison terms on drug charges.

The Rolling Stones - The Last Time UK ad

Picture sleeves from around the world big gallery mode

Both 'The Last Time' and its B-side were often to be found on EPs along with 'Heart Of Stone' in Europe.


The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, France [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Holland [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Germany [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Spain [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Portugal [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Sweden [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Japan [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, USA [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Mexico [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Iran [1967] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Mexico [1970] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, South Africa [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Honk Kong [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Holland [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Holland [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Holland [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Holland [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Germany [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Germany [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, South Africa [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Italy [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Italy [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Italy [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Turkey [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Italy [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Italy [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Belgium [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Denmark [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, USA [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Japan [1965] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Japan [1968] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Japan [1970] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, France [1974] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, France [1975] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Germany [1980] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Brazil [1982] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Japan [1983] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Germany [1987] ,7" The Rolling Stones: The Last Time, Germany [1989] ,7"

204 editions worldwide include 'The Last Time' on the 7" format.



Covers
'The Last Time' was covered by the following artists:

  • 3 Imaginary Boys: 1988 Album: V/A: Stoned Again - A Tribute To The RS.
  • Andrew Oldham Orchestra 1966 Album: The Rolling Stones Songbook. Oldham Orchestra - Rarities. Instr.
  • Bird, Ronnie: EP, LP 1965: as 'Elle M'Attend' (French).
  • Black Stars, The: 7" 1960's: Ich Frag Dich Noch Einmal - Translated to German. Dutch PS, Ariola.
  • Buchanan Brothers, The: 7"PS, 1971. French Decca 333006.
    The Buchanan Brothers
  • Carola ja The Boys: 1965 7", Cassette: V/A: Tanssihitit 2 : 16 Toivotuinta, cassette. As 'Jo Riittää' (It's Enough).
  • Cathedral City Project: 1994 CD: Performs The Rolling Stones Favourites. Belgium. Instr.
  • Curb, Mike & The Waterfall: Lp: The Rolling Stones Songbook. Instr.
  • Kansa, Tapani: 1986 Lp: Kaunis Nainen. Finland. As 'Jo Riittää' (It's Enough).
  • Munich Philharmonic Orchestra: 1992 CD: The MPO Plays Rolling Stones Classic. Germany.
  • NDR Philharmonic Orchestra: 1992 CD: Plays Rolling Stones Classic.
  • Popeda: 1985 Lp: Pohjantähden Alla. Finland. As 'Laitimmainen Kerta'.
  • Pupils, The: 1960's Lp: A Tribute To The Rolling Stones.
  • Salzmann, Bruce & The Losers: 1994 Cassette: V/A: Undercover Of The Net.
  • Schleicher, Peter: 1979 Lp: Hart Auf Hart. Austria. As 'Des Kennt Unser End Sein'.
  • Silla Electrica, La: Costa Rica, late 1970's
  • Smith: 1969 Album: A Group Called Smith.
  • Songrise Orchestra : 1994-5 CD: The Music Of The Rolling Stones : 16 Instr. Hits.
  • Sonics, The: 1978 Lp: Sounds Of The Rolling Stones.
  • Sorsakoski, Topi & Agents: 1988 7", LP: B-side of 'Vaikene Sydän'. Finland. As 'Jo Riittää' (It's Enough).
  • Springsteen, Bruce: 1979 Dbl lp: The Boss Hits The Sixties. Bootleg.
  • Tillberg, Dan: 1979 LP Gatstenar. Album 'Roadstones', as 'Slutlekt' (End Of Playtime).
  • Thomas, Holger: 1979 7": CBS 7225. Germany. B-side. As 'Das kann doch nicht wahr sein'
  • Walflower Complextion, The: 1966 album
  • Who, The: 1967 7", CD: Two's Missing. Jagger / Richards Songbook, '91. Compilations.

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The Rolling Stones - The Last Time UK sheet music
The Last Time [Mick Jagger / Keith Richards]

Recorded on January-February 1965 at Los Angeles, RCA
Studios, Hollywood
Producer: Andrew Loog Oldham
Sound Engineer: Dave Hassinger
Mick Jagger: vocals
Keith Richards: acoustic guitar, add. electric guitar (solo), bg vocals
Brian Jones: lead electric guitar
Bill Wyman: bass
Charlie Watts: drums
Jack Nitzsche: tambourine
charts peak release date 7" single B-side
The Rolling Stones UK Singles Discography 1 February 26, 1965 Decca F.12104 Play With Fire [Nanker Phelge]
The Rolling Stones USA Singles Discography 9 March 13, 1965 London 9741

The Last Time
[Mick Jagger / Keith Richards]

The Rolling Stones - The Last Time Italian sheet musicWell I told you once and I told you twice
But ya never listen to my advice
You don't try very hard to please me
With what you know it should be easy

Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know. Oh no. Oh no

Well, I'm sorry girl but I can't stay
Feelin' like I do today
It's too much pain and too much sorrow
Guess I'll feel the same tomorrow

Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know. Oh no. Oh no Well I told you once and I told you twice
That someone will have to pay the price
But here's a chance to change your mind
'Cuz I'll be gone a long, long time

Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know. Oh no. Oh no
Well, this could be the last time


The Rolling Stones - The Last Time US ad
Play With Fire [Nanker Phelge]

Recorded on January-February 1965 at Los Angeles, RCA
Studios, Hollywood
Producer: Andrew Loog Oldham
Sound Engineer: Dave Hassinger
Mick Jagger: vocal, tambourine
Keith Richards: acoustic guitar
Phil Spector: electric guitar, bass
Jack Nitzsche: harpsichord, tamtams
charts peak release date 7" single A-side
The Rolling Stones USA Singles Discography 96 March 13, 1965 London 9741 The Last Time [Mick Jagger / Keith Richards]

Play With Fire
[Nanker Phelge]

Well, you've got your diamonds and you've got your pretty clothes
And the chauffeur drives your car
You let everybody know
But don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire

Your mother she's an heiress, owns a block in Saint John's Wood
And your father'd be there with her
If he only could
But don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire

Your old man took her diamond's and tiaras by the score
Now she gets her kicks in Stepney
Not in Knightsbridge anymore
So don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire

Now you've got some diamonds and you will have some others
But you'd better watch your step, girl
Or start living with your mother
So don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire
So don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire

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'Play With Fire' was the B-side of 'The Last Time' both in the UK and US and went to #96 on the US chart. It was later included on the US albums 'Out of Our Heads' [1965], and compilations 'Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass)' [US - 1966], 'Hot Rocks' [1971] and 'Singles Collection: The London Years'.

It is credited to Nanker Phelge [a pseudonym used for early compositions by the entire band], even though Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are the only Rolling Stones to appear on the track. The song was recorded late one night in January 1965 while the Stones were in Los Angeles recording with Phil Spector at the RCA Studios. Richards performed the song's acoustic guitar opening while Jagger handled vocals and tambourine [enhanced using an echo chamber]. Spector played a tuned-down electric guitar as bass, and Jack Nitzsche provided the song's distinctive harpsichord arrangement and tamtams. The band left for a tour of Australia the following day.

The Rolling Stones - Play With Fire - Swedish sheet musicIn a 1995 interview with Jann Wenner for Rolling Stone, Jagger said "'Play With Fire' sounds amazing—when I heard it last. I mean, it's a very in-your-face kind of sound and very clearly done. You can hear all the vocal stuff on it. And I'm playing the tambourines, the vocal line. You know, it's very pretty."
An unreleased version of the song, entitled 'Mess With Fire', was also recorded. It featured a much more upbeat, soul-oriented feel.

'Play With Fire' was featured in the 2007 film The Darjeeling Limited, directed by Wes Anderson; it also appears on the soundtrack album.