The Rolling Stones, Sweet Sounds of Heaven | Track Review 🎵

On “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” the second single from Hackney Diamonds, The Rolling Stone collaborates with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder.

When you hear the name, 🎙 The Rolling Stones, you think iconic rock band.  The name stands on its own, without necessitating featured guests. However, on 🎵 “Sweet Sounds of Heaven”, the epic, near-seven and a half minute second single from the highly anticipated 💿 Hackney Diamonds, 🎙 Mick Jagger and 🎙 Keith Richards tap 🎙 Lady Gaga and 🎙 Stevie Wonder for the assist 🤯!  Two, 🏆 Academy- and Grammy-award winning musicians! The results are nothing short of EPIC.  Heaven should sound sweet and not only does it on this song, it also totally rocks 🤘!

Notably, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” is starkly different from 🎵 “Angry”, the first single from Hackney Diamonds. Stevie Wonder provides bluesy, soulful piano 🎹 to the backdrop, which is a mix of blues, gospel, and rock.  Before Jagger ever sings a note, the instrumental sets the tone.  Mick sings the first verse, delivering expressive, potent, and powerful pipes.  The heavenly, spiritual vibes arrive early on, as Jagger memorializes the late, great 🎙 Charlie Watts: “Bless the Father, bless the Son, hear the sound of the drums.” Lady Gaga arrives in the second verse, surprising with the sound of her voice with her select lyrics.  She sings in her upper register, giving us a different sound, which is amazing.  She complements Jagger’s lead well, which continues in the verse, referencing spiritual things once more (“I hear the sweet sounds / the sweet sounds of children / And they’re praisin’”).

Both artists sing in the chorus. Again, the grittiness and power that Lady Gaga shows off is ear-catching, PERIOD. The lyrics are strong, particularly as both artists sing at the end of the chorus, “Eat the bread, drink the wine / ‘Cause I’m finally, finally quenchin’ my thirst.” The bridge is totally different from the verses or chorus – it builds up to the second dynamic chorus. All told, there are some awesome sounds that occur throughout the main portion of “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” as well as the extended part.  Notably, Mick shouts out Stevie, while he and Gaga continue to tout “the sweet, sweet scents of Heaven.”  An entire essay could be written about 🎵 “Sweet Sounds of Heaven”.  However, this song is best experienced by listening.  The Rolling Stones, alongside Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, are on fire 🔥.  Also, shout out 🎛 watt for putting in work on the production.

🎙 The Rolling Stones • 💿 Hackney Diamonds • 🏷 Promotone B.V. • 🗓 10.20.23

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Promotone B.V.; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]