Can I Always Get "You Can't Always Get What You Want?"

I don't think it's ever been my favorite song until recently. Now it's the song I can't stop playing over and over again. But which version to choose from? Ah... that presents the problem that almost qualifies as "interesting."

There are obviously several, and when you find yourself to be a fan of a band, you discover that these alternate versions just appear in your collection. I didn't set out to have 3.5 different versions of the song, and yet between albums, collections and live shows I have built up my selection.

Oddly, with all these versions, I still don't actually posses the one I would consider The Best. It's all a personal preference thing, you understand, but it's mine and I'm in charge.

I have the full album cut from "LET IT BLEED," then the trimmed-down B-side version on my "SINGLES COLLECTION" (that's the .5, since it's the same song, technically, just trimmed for radio play... even though I don't think I've ever heard this non-choir-intro version played on the radio), the pre-"BLEED" live version on "ROCK N' ROLL CIRCUS" and the other live version on "LOVE YOU LIVE." But the one I want comes from the 1973 tour (the one with Stevie Wonder) with Mick Taylor on the solo and the song at a full sexy strut.

The first time I heard this version was on a copy of a bootleg CD titled "UPTIGHT," referencing the Wonder song they played during the show. "You Can't..." opened the disc, and it was a mid-tempo fare. The rave-up part was gone--it stayed the same tempo--but what made this tour's version of the song so affective for me was the simple build of a massive sound-wall up and up and up as the song moved on.

To go against my earlier rules, I hereby attach the following example video. It's all I have.



The qualities vary and my preferences have shifted as the years wear on. "You Can't..." is one of those rare Rolling Stones song which was better on the album cut, then made lamer by the trimmed version, then a little better in the 70's, then back to not so great again. The Stones often have varied results with their songs while translating them to stage*. But this particular version, the '72-'73 version, the drugged out version, the horns and guitars and emotional version is my current king. I can't stop seeing an image of myself weeping whenever (if) Richards or Jagger dies, and I'm playing this version over and over again. Like I am now.

*Songs that improve when live include "Miss You," "Shattered" and the Chuck Berry covers. Songs that do not improve when live are "Sympathy for the Devil" after 1970 and "It's Only Rock n' Roll."

Here are my versions