Wandering Spirit

Wandering Spirit is the third solo album by Mick Jagger and was released in 1993, Jagger's only solo album release of the 1990s. Jagger aimed to re-introduce himself as a solo artist in a musical climate vastly changed from what had witnessed the release of his first two projects, She's the Boss and Primitive Cool.

Following the successful comeback of The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels (1989), which saw the end of Jagger and Keith Richards' well-publicised feud, Jagger began routining new material for what would become Wandering Spirit. In January 1992, after acquiring Rick Rubin as co-producer, Jagger recorded the album in Los Angeles over seven months until September 1992, recording simultaneously as Richards was making Main Offender.

Jagger would keep the celebrity guests to a minimum on Wandering Spirit, only having Lenny Kravitz as a vocalist on his cover of Bill Withers' "Use Me" and bassist Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers on three tracks.

Following the end of The Rolling Stones' Sony Music contract and their signing to Virgin Records, Jagger elected to sign with Atlantic Records (which had signed the Stones in the 1970s) to distribute what would be his only album with the label.

Released in February 1993, Wandering Spirit was commercially successful, reaching #12 in the UK and #11 in the US, going gold there. The track "Sweet Thing" was the lead single, although it was the third single, "Don't Tear Me Up", which found moderate success, topping Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart for one week. Critical reaction was very strong, noting Jagger's abandonment of slick synthesizers in favour of an incisive and lean guitar sound.

Contemporary reviewers tend to consider Wandering Spirit a high point of Jagger's latter-day career achievements and are generally polarised between it and his 2001 follow-up, Goddess in the Doorway, as his best solo album.

Track listing
All songs by Mick Jagger, except where noted.

"Wired All Night" – 4:05
"Sweet Thing" – 4:19
"Out Of Focus" – 4:36
"Don't Tear Me Up" – 4:11
"Put Me In The Trash" (Mick Jagger, Jimmy Ripp) – 3:35
"Use Me" (Bill Withers) – 4:28
Features Lenny Kravitz on co-lead vocal
"Evening Gown" – 3:33
"Mother Of A Man" – 4:18
"Think" (Lowman Pauling) – 2:59
"Wandering Spirit" (Mick Jagger, Jimmy Ripp) – 4:18
"Hang On To Me Tonight" – 4:37
"I've Been Lonely For So Long" (Posie Knight, Jerry Weaver) – 3:29
Tracks 3, 6 and 12 feature Flea on bass
"Angel In My Heart" – 3:24
"Handsome Molly" (Traditional) – 2:06

Musicians
Vocals - Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz
Background Vocals - Lynn Davis, Jean McClain, Jeff Pescetto
Virginal - Matt Clifford
Guitar - Mick Jagger, Brendan O'Brien, Jimmy Ripp, Frank Simes
Pedal Steel Guitar - JayDee Mannes
Bass - Flea, John Pierce, Doug Wimbish
Piano - Billy Preston, Benmont Tench
Organ - Billy Preston, Benmont Tench
Harpsichord - Matt Clifford
Clavinet - Mick Jagger, Billy Preston
Moog synthesizer - David Bianco
Harmonica - Mick Jagger
Drums - Curt Bisquera, Jim Keltner
Percussion - Lenny Castro, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Ripp
Conductor - Matt Clifford
String Arrangement - Matt Clifford
Fiddle - Robin McKidd
Saxophone - Courtney Pine

Charts
Album

Year Chart Position
1993 UK Top 75 Albums 12
1993 Billboard 200 11

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1993 "Sweet Thing" UK Top 75 Singles 24
1993 "Sweet Thing" Mainstream Rock Tracks 34
1993 "Sweet Thing" Billboard Hot 100 84
1993 "Don't Tear Me Up" Mainstream Rock Tracks 1
1993 "Wired All Night" Mainstream Rock Tracks 3