The Rolling Stones have recorded 9 new tracks for Tattoo You album re-release

19 July 2021, 11:18 | Updated: 16 November 2023, 14:30

The Rolling Stones' Tattoo You album originally came out in 1981 and featured the massive hit 'Start Me Up'.

Ronnie Wood has revealed that he and Mick Jagger have recorded some new Rolling Stones music due for release soon.

The guitarist told The Times that the songs would be included in the upcoming 40th anniversary reissue of 1981's Tattoo You, which featured the massive hit 'Start Me Up'.

"Me and Mick have done nine new tracks for the re-release of Tattoo You," Wood said.

The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up - Official Promo

"I've had a front-row seat on some amazing rock 'n' roll projects these past couple of weeks.

"I’m making every day count. Not wasting a moment."

Wood has bought a new home in London and set up a painting studio upstairs and a recording studio downstairs.

“I saw Mick here last week and [surviving Faces bandmates] Rod [Stewart] and Kenney [Jones] were here yesterday," he added.

Both Wood and Jagger have had recent health issues, with Wood battling lung cancer and then small cell cancer, and Jagger undergoing heart surgery.

"Oh, he’s fine, but of course we did talk about our health – he’s as thankful as I am for it." Wood said of speaking with Jagger.

"Mick is fighting fit and we both can't wait to get working again."

Wood also expressed his eagerness to get back on the road after the Stones' No Filter tour was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I go through art phases when music is secondary, but right now I really want to get out there and play," he said.

The Rolling Stones | Scarlet (Goats Head Soup 2020) | Lyric video

Read more: The Rolling Stones release previously unheard song ‘Scarlet’ featuring Jimmy Page

The new work on the Tattoo You tracks isn't the first time the band have recorded or re-recorded music for an anniversary version of a classic album.

Most notably, the band's 2010 reissue of 1972's Exile on Main Street featured a ten-track bonus CD, only two of which were untouched original session outtakes.

The other songs featured either new vocals from Mick Jagger, new guitar parts by Keith Richards and Mick Taylor, and new backing vocals.

And last year's Goats Head Soup reissue came as a 4CD/4LP set featuring three unheard songs, new mixes, demos, outtakes and live performances.

The original Tattoo You itself was mainly made up of studio outtakes originally recorded between 1972 and 1979.