Filmed by director Peter Whitehead, the video of the band in drag was created using film footage of the photoshoot with photographer Jerry Schatzberg for the single’s back cover in Manhattan, depicting all five original members, while a live clip was shot during the group’s September 23, 1966 performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
When asked about the concept behind the shoot, Keith Richards commented to the NME: “The photograph was just a laugh. There’s no deeper interpretation to be placed on it than that . . . We adopted the names of ‘Molly’ and ‘Sarah’ for fun.” He went on to say, “I think [bassist] Bill [Wyman] must get the ‘king of the queens’ award for his portrayal of the bird in the bathchair in the uniform. I mean just look at her . . . I mean that’s the one who pressed the button isn’t it?”
The live footage captured the band at a time when the rock concert industry was still in its infancy, and security was ill-equipped at handling the throngs of screaming fans who rushed the stage at the Royal Albert Hall to grab band members mid-song, before getting pushed back into the crowd.
Both videos were rejected at the time by the few outlets that would play what were then referred to as “promos” or “promotional films” of rock and roll bands. Decades before the launch of MTV, there was no way for the general population to view this original version of the music video until it was incorporated into the documentary “Heroes of Rock and Roll”, narrated by Jeff Bridges and televised in early 1979.
Released simultaneously in the US and UK 56 years ago to this day, the song was a Top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic (UK #5; US #9), “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?” was recorded in August and September of ’66 at RCA Studios in Hollywood as well as IBC Studios in London.
Regarding the lyrics, Jagger told Keith Altham at the NME in 1966, “This is simply about a boy and his bird. Some songs I write are just for a laugh. Others are extensions of ideas. This is a mixture of both. You must listen to it and place your own interpretation on the lyric. There is no attempt to present a controversial ‘Mother’ theme.”
See also:
The Rolling Stones share rare 1967 We Love You video
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
Search Rolling Stones at hennemusic
