LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 06: (LR) Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards pose for a photocall at the Rolling Stones “Hackney Diamonds” Launch Event at Hackney Empire on September 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Redferns)
Photo: Redferns, Jo Hale. All rights reserved.
The Rolling Stones have today (September 28th) released the second single from their new album “Hackney Diamonds”, which will be released in October. It’s called “Sounds of Heaven” and shows that the band actually went for a diverse sound for the new long player. The Stones are supported on this track by Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder.
“Sweet Sounds of Heaven”: Rolling Stones team up with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder
The two stars have agreed to take part in the new track. Lady Gaga can be heard alongside Mick Jagger, while Wonder provides instrumental support. After the up-tempo song “Angry,” “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” is a more soulful number that builds up into a pompous number with a big band feel – also thanks to Lady Gaga’s vocal power.
I smell the sweet, sweet scents of heaven
Comin’ down (Comin’ down), comin’ down (Comin’ down) to the earth (From the earth)
I hear the sweet sounds (Sweet sounds), the sweet sounds (Ooh, the sweet sounds) of children
And they’re praisin’ (Praisin’) the land of their birth, no
The song can currently be streamed in an edit version and in a version that is a good two minutes longer:
Let the music (Let the music) play loud (Play loud)
Let it burst (Let it burst) through the clouds (Through the clouds)
And we all feel the heat of the sun, yeah
Yeah, let us sing, let us shout (Let us shout)
Let us all stand up proud
Let the old still believe that they’re young, yeah
Sweet, sweet sound
“Hackney Diamonds” will be released on October 20, 2023
In addition to the feature from Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, other stars will be heard on “Hackney Diamonds”. We already know: Paul McCartney plays bass on the track “Bite My Head Off” and Elton John sat on the piano for “Get Close” and “Live By the Sword”. The songs “Mess It Up” and “Live By the Sword” were recorded with late bandmate Charlie Watts. Additionally, the Rolling Stones were also reunited with former bassist Bill Wyman for the latter song.