Primitive Cool

Primitive Cool
Studio album by Mick Jagger
Released	14 September 1987
Recorded	17 November – 18 December 1986 and January – May 1987
Genre	Rock and roll
Length	49:20
Language	English
Label	Columbia
Producer	Keith Diamond, Mick Jagger, and David A. Stewart
Mick Jagger chronology
She's the Boss (1985) Primitive Cool (1987) Wandering Spirit (1993)

Primitive Cool is the second solo album by The Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger and was released in 1987. As the follow-up to Jagger's 1985 success She's the Boss, Primitive Cool was another attempt by Mick to make him a solo star, being more ambitious. However, the commercial reaction was cooler than expected.

Following the release of Dirty Work in 1986, relations between Jagger and Keith Richards soured after Jagger decided to not tour the album in favour of starting his second solo project. Richards was vocal about his discontent in the media—which Jagger replied to, also publicly; "Kow Tow" and "Shoot Off Your Mouth" were reportedly written in response to disparaging remarks made about Jagger by Keith Richards.^{[citation needed]} Undeterred, Jagger promptly began work on Primitive Cool, recording in the Netherlands and Barbados.

Joining up with Eurythmics guitarist and songwriter David A. Stewart and Keith Diamond in the producer's chair, Jagger used Jeff Beck as the regular guitarist for the sessions, seeking to have more uniformity in the recordings.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Rolling Stone	(favorable)

Released in September 1987 with "Let's Work" as the lead single, the commercial reaction to Primitive Cool was not as welcoming as the reception for She's the Boss, with the album merely reaching #26 in the UK and #41 in the United States. "Let's Work" and follow-up single "Throwaway" were minor hits, not at all rivaling "Just Another Night" in commercial success. As a result, although Jagger toured Primitive Cool, it was only in Japan and Australia, not feeling confident enough to attempt American or British shows.

Reissue

Although originally released by CBS, Primitive Cool was acquired and reissued by Atlantic Records in 1993 following the release of Jagger's third album, Wandering Spirit.

Mary Chapin Carpenter

In 1999, Mary Chapin Carpenter covered the song "Party Doll" from Primitive Cool, as the title track of her compilation, Party Doll and Other Favorites.

Track listing

All songs by Mick Jagger, except where noted.

1. "Throwaway" – 5:03
2. "Let's Work" (Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart) – 4:50
3. "Radio Control" – 3:56
4. "Say You Will" (Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart) – 5:07
5. "Primitive Cool" – 5:50
6. "Kow Tow" (Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart) – 4:55
7. "Shoot Off Your Mouth" – 3:35
8. "Peace for the Wicked" – 4:02
9. "Party Doll" – 5:20
10. "War Baby" – 6:39

Personnel

• Mick Jagger – lead vocals, guitar, autoharp, harmonica, percussion
• Phillip Ashley – keyboards
• Jim Barber – rhythm guitar
• Jeff Beck – guitar
• Jocelyn Brown – backing vocals
• Richard Cottle – keyboards
• Craig Derry – backing vocals
• Keith Diamond – programming
• Bill Evans – saxophone
• Jon Faddis – trumpet
• Dean Garcia – bass guitar
• Omar Hakim – drums
• Sean Keáne – fiddle
• Brenda King – backing vocals
• Paddy Maloney – whistle and Uillean pipes
• Denzil Miller – keyboards
• Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals
• Greg Phillinganes – keyboards
• Simon Phillips – drums
• Vernon Reid – rhythm guitar
• Jimmy Ripp – rhythm guitar
• David Sanborn – saxophone
• Pat Seymour – keyboards
• G.E. Smith – guitar
• David A. Stewart – rhythm guitar
• Doug Wimbish – bass guitar

Production

• Produced By Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart & Keith Diamond
• Engineers: Jon Bavin, Manu Guiot, Bob Rosa, Ed Stasium
• Assistant Engineers: Paul Hamingson, Michiel Hoogenboezem, Glen Johansen, Scott Mabuchi, Moira Marquis, Danny Mormando
• Mixing: Michael Barbiero, Paul Hamingson, Ed Stasium, Steve Thompson
• Digital Editing: Rhonda Schoen
• Mastering: Greg Calbi

Sales chart performance

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1987	UK Top 100 Albums	26[citation needed]
1987	The Billboard 200	41[citation needed]
1988	The Billboard 200	89[citation needed]

Singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	"Let's Work"	UK Top 100 Singles	31[citation needed]
1987	"Let's Work"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	7[citation needed]
1987	"Let's Work"	The Billboard Hot 100	39[citation needed]
1987	"Let's Work"	Hot Dance Music/Club Play	32[citation needed]
1987	"Let's Work"	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales	48[citation needed]
1987	"Throwaway"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	7[citation needed]
1987	"Throwaway"	The Billboard Hot 100	67[citation needed]
1987	"Say You Will"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	39[citation needed]