Primitive Cool

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. 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.

Released in September 1987 with “Let’s Work” as the lead single, the commercial reaction to Primitive Cool - despite its warm reviews - 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.

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.