Directed by Peter Whitehead and newly restored in 4K, the clip includes visual references to the infamous Redlands bust of February 1967, involving Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and singer Marianne Faithfull, the subsequent criminal trial, as well as the drug bust of Brian Jones later that same year.
The dragging chains and prison door sound effects that begin the song and are illustrated in the video were inspired by the February 12, 1967 police raid of Richards’ home in Redlands, West Wittering, Sussex. Leading up to this event, British tabloid News of the World had published a series of sensationalistic stories about the drug use of pop stars, including Mick Jagger who then sued the paper for libel. News Of The World tipped off authorities to a party at Richards’ Redlands residence where it was believed that drugs were to be present. Marianne Faithfull, who had just come out of the bath inside the home the moment 18 officers showed up, quickly covered herself in a fur rug. A trivial quantity of controlled substances was found, but Jagger, Richards and art dealer Robert Fraser were still charged with major drug offenses and all three were handed draconian prison sentences that June. The two Stones were bailed out pending appeal, which they won, after spending one night in prison.
On the day Jagger and Richards were released, Brian Jones and his girlfriend were arrested on charges of drug possession. This series of events is thought to be the spearhead of a generational rift in British culture, where older journalists working with the authorities had an adversarial relationship with younger musicians; life-altering consequences hung in the balance of this clash of values.
In the time between the February Redlands bust and the court proceedings, Jagger, Richards, Jones and Jones’ girlfriend Anita Pallenberg escaped the unfolding media circus by visiting Morocco. The trip was an inspiration for the general sound of “We Love You”; Jones in particular fell in love with the music of the North African nation, leading him to produce Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka by the Master Musicians of Joujouka the following year.
Recorded at Olympic Studios in the summer of ’67, “We Love You” has Jones on Mellotron, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and backing vocals by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were returning the favor just after Jagger and Richards had contributed vocals to The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love.”
In the 1960s, there were very few television programs where music videos could be played. BBC’s Top of the Pops refused to give “We Love You” airtime, with the rationale that it was not suitable for the show’s audience. TOTP’s producer denied the theory that the video was banned by the BBC; regardless, very few people were able to see it upon its initial release.
“We Love You” was still a No. 8 single the UK, while it was released as the B-side to “Dandelion” in the US, hitting No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Earlier this month, The Rolling Stones wrapped up their 60th anniversary European tour in Berlin, Germany.
See also:
The Rolling Stones stream upgraded Jumpin’ Jack Flash videos
The Rolling Stones wrap up 60th anniversary tour in Berlin
The Rolling Stones debut Bridges To Babylon track in Sweden
The Rolling Stones joined by Ukrainian choir in Vienna
Search Rolling Stones at hennemusic
