Mick Taylor – Broken Hands

Mick Taylor was in the Stones during their most successful period. That wasn’t a coincidence. He was probably the most talented guitar player they ever had. That’s not a knock on Brian Jones or Ron Wood; he was just that good. I had no clue that he could sing as well, so this was a treat when someone sent me a link to this. You can hear his style and connect the dots to that sound. When he left the Stones, it was never replaced. Ronnie Wood plays in a different style altogether.

This song is one of the standout tracks from Mick Taylor’s self-titled debut solo album, released in 1979. The album arrived five years after Taylor left the Rolling Stones, where he had earned a reputation as one of the best guitarists in rock music. While the record never became a commercial success, it gave Taylor a chance to step out from the shadow of the Stones and show what he could do as a songwriter, singer, and bandleader. This song was tucked away near the end of side one and remains one of the album’s hidden gems.

The sessions for the album spanned several years, from 1976 to 1979. Recording took place at several studios in England, including Island Studios, Ramport Studios, Ridge Farm, and the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. Taylor produced the album himself and played many of the instruments. On this song, he handled guitar, vocals, and bass guitar duties. The song has a loose rock feel with traces of blues and the melodic style that he did with the Stones.

Like much of the album, the song arrived at the wrong time commercially. By 1979, punk and new wave were dominating the music press while Taylor was delivering a blues-rock record. The album stalled on the charts, but over the years it has gained a loyal following among Rolling Stones fans and guitar enthusiasts. He was a complete musician who just happened to spend his most famous years standing next to some very large shadows that included John Mayall, Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger.

Broken Hands

Yeah, I got broken hands, God

Feel so loose and I feel so free
Running so fast that you can’t catch me
Play the night like a dream machine
Play my guitar ’cause I feel so mean

Drivin’ down the highway
Trying to get ahead
And I shake the blues away, yeah
Yeah, broken hands, I’m a broken man

Ah baby, where are we?
Howling winds on a heavy sea
Always think that you got it made
I can never see you behind your shades

Fools are around me, the devils inside
So much craziness to exercise
Let’s get small and get some lovin’ done
This life’s so hard, hit and run

There’s nothin’ happenin’ here, anyway
If we sit around much longer we’re gonna slide away
Mesmerizing, washed out eyes
Users and losers, hypnotized

I like music that sounds so sweet
I like to dance and move my feet
When I hear such a heavy sound
Come on baby, let’s get down

Drivin’ down the highway
I’m just trying to get ahead
And shake these blues away
There’s nothin’ happenin’ here, anyway

Yeah, broken hands, I’m down and out
Gimme a smile and I’ll pull ya out
Yeah, broken hands

Yeah, broken hands, I’m a broken man
Yeah, broken hands, I’m down and out
Gimme a smile and I’ll pull ya out

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

23 thoughts on “Mick Taylor – Broken Hands”

      1. I guess I must have known ahead of preparing for the interview, but if I’m honest, I don’t remember! 😂

        I don’t have it in my collection though I do have solo projects of Mick, Keith and Ronnie, so I better get myself sorted and search out a copy of this. It sounds incredible.

        😀

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    2. Fantastic sound! So ‘Stones’! 😉

      I was scheduled to Interview Mick many years ago when he was to be playing Glasgow. It was all lined up and I was ouse kacking it!! 😂

      Sadly though, he took unwell and his show that night was cancelled as was our chat.

      I was totally gutted … but part of me was mighty relieved! (I don’t know why. I’m sure he would have been a lovely bloke.)

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      1. OH dude I’m so sorry…that would have been a hell of an interview man. My favorite Stones guitarist…he help give them a sound that was fantastic.

        Did you know about this album? I never did until recently. I didn’t know Mick could sing.

        I would imagine it would be hard to interview someone that you are a fan of. I couldn’t imagine interviewing someone like that. I’m sure you had questions all ready.

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  2. Pingback: Mick Taylor – Broken Hands – MobsterTiger

    1. Jim, if this album would have come out in 1975 or 76 it might have made it. I think with New Wave on the charts it didn’t fit in…but good is good and this is.
      I agree…he should have been more well known. He said it probably saved his life by quitting the Stones because of the drugs.

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      1. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards did indeed have a long-standing agreement that any song produced by either of them for the Rolling Stones would be co-credited as Jagger/Richards.

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      2. Yes…I know that Paul and John didn’t treat George as well as they could as a songwriter…but the Mick and Keith could be ruthless to Brian Jones, MIck Taylor (he had to sue them for songwriting royalities), Bill Wyman, and even Ron Wood up until not long ago. I think Bill got ONE song recorded…that is it.

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  6. I bought this CD several years ago and haven’t listened to it in a long time. I will have to dial that up. Great sound, as would be expected from such a talented guy. Interesting comments from Keith. Nice post.

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  7. Not familiar with this album, Max. Solid track. When I heard the vocals I thought it was Keith Richards. Sounds a lot like him, but better. I agree, definitely the best guitarist the Stones ever had. Beautiful tone. Can play raunchily, gently and precisely, seemingly at the same time.

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    1. I didn’t know about it either. He has always been my favorite guitar player from the Stones and I knew nothing about this. I didn’t know he could sing as well. The timing of this album’s release though just wasn’t good.

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