"Let It Loose" is a song by The Rolling Stones which was released on their 1972 double album Exile on Main St., and is the last song on side three. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Let It Loose" is an emotional gospel blues ballad with a fervent religious feeling, the song being one of the band's prominent forays into soul and gospel during the Exile era after Jagger had attended the services of the Reverend James Cleveland and remained deeply impressed by the singing of the gospel choir. A portion of the lyrics were lifted from the song Man of Constant Sorrow.
Recording began in December 1971 and continued through March 1972, with some recording taking place at Nellcôte using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. With Jagger on lead vocals, backing vocals are provided by Tami Lynn, Dr. John (who also plays piano on the song), Clydie King, Vanetta Field, Shirley Goodman and Joe Green. Electric guitars were performed by Richards and Mick Taylor, and played through a Leslie speaker, while bass is performed by Bill Wyman. With Charlie Watts on drums, Bobby Keys provides saxophone and Jim Price lends both trombone and trumpet.
Russell Hall in the 20 February 2008 edition of Gibson Lifestyle describes Jagger's strident, heart-wrenching singing on "Let It Loose" as his finest vocal achievement.
"Let It Loose" has never been performed live by the Rolling Stones. Phish covered the song as part of their "costume" album during Festival 8 in 2009, and then again on June 30, 2012.
The song was featured in Martin Scorsese's 2006 film The Departed and included on its soundtrack.
The song was also featured in Kevin Spacey's 2004 film Beyond the Sea but is not included on the movie's soundtrack.
Famous quotes containing the word loose:
“A slight digression: that bit about my mother was a deliberate lie. In reality, she was a woman of the people, simple and coarse, sordidly dressed in a kind of blouse hanging loose at the waist. I could, of course, have crossed it out, but I purposely leave it there as a sample of one of my essential traits: my light-hearted, inspired lying.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)