Keith Richards // The Harder They Come
“Well the officers are trying to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
And they think that they have got the battle won
I say forgive them Lord, they know not what they’ve done.”
This may be my favorite song that I’ve posted on Rollo & Grady thus far. Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come” is the first single that Keith Richard’s recorded. It was the B-side to his rendition of Chuck Berry’s Christmas song “Run Rudolph Run“.
He considered the song his watchword in the mid-70’s playing day and night. The song was recorded in December 1978 at the RCA Building in Hollywood.
Keith Richards - The Harder The Come (Jimmy Cliff Cover)
Tags: Keith Richards The Harder They Come
October 1st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I wonder why the single jacket says the flip side is Pressure Drop with Toots and the Maytals? That’s not even close - different song, different band, same genre….
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 am
You’re right, it’s not the cover that went with the single. I was wondering when someone was going to comment on it. I just liked the photo of Keith. But the content in the post is correct.
R&G
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:12 am
Correct Cover: http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=320770
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 am
I also noticed that it wasn’t the Stones label. I agree, though - great photo. Also, if you have that single, I’d love to hear Keith sing Pressure Drop. I always liked the Robert Palmer cover on the Sneaking Sally album.
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 am
Rob:
I don’t have it, but I will look for a copy. Thanks for the tip.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 am
It’s on iTunes as a two fer with Run Rudolph Run: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=268841492&id=268841384&s=143441