"Just Another Night" by Mick Jagger

Song#:  2215
Date:  02/09/1985
Debut:  45
Peak:  12
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  It took a while, but after more than twenty years fronting The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger decided it was time to do something on his own. He had it in mind when the band's new contract with CBS in 1983 gave clearance to each member to do other projects. He began to write tunes and by the end of '84 he had recorded his first solo album, She's the Boss. This first single was issued ahead of the album and it became a hit at Rock reaching #1 on that chart. With a high debut on the Pop chart, it seemed the song was destined to reach the Top 10, but it ended up stalling just short of that mark. The album also missed out on the Top 10 peaking at #13. Still, thanks to this hit the album sold well enough to go platinum. It wasn't a Stones-size multi-platinum hit, but it did prove that Jagger had the ability to work on his own without the band.

ReduxReview:  Jagger actually doesn't stray too far from his Stones roots with this one. With its opening guitar lick, jammin' rock beat, and experimental production, it nearly sounds like an outtake from Undercover. However, I always thought there was some odd lag time in the song. It starts out well, but about midway through there are sections that are almost like vamps - like he didn't know how to connect the sections of the song. It certainly could have used some tightening up. I liked the song, but I didn't hear anything here that made me interested in Jagger as a solo artist. I think others might have felt the same as both the single and album fell short of expectations.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  This song ended up being the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit. Reggae artist Patrick Alley had written and recorded a ballad titled "Just Another Night" in 1979. It was latter issued on record in 1983. Alley contended that Jagger had heard the song on the radio or had been introduced to the song via bassist Sly Dunbar, who had apparently played on both recordings, and that Jagger copped a portion of the song. Jagger denied the charges and took the case to court. In the end, a jury sided with Jagger. They seemed to think that besides the title, the songs had little in common and that Alley failed to prove that Jagger had heard or had access to his song.

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