The original UK Decca single credited Faithfull as a co-writer,[1] but when London Records issued the single in the United States, her name was omitted,[3] as it was from the credit on Sticky Fingers. After a legal battle Faithfull retained her rights as a co-author, acknowledged by the 1994 Virgin Records reissue of the Stones' album catalogue from Sticky Fingers through Steel Wheels.[4]
Releases
In the United Kingdom, Faithfull's single was withdrawn by Decca due to the drug reference in the title, after an estimated 500 copies had been issued, but in other countries the single remained in release.[citation needed] In some territories such as the Netherlands, Italy and Japan, “Sister Morphine” appeared on the A-side.[5] In addition, the French, US and Netherlands editions of the single actually featured alternate versions of both sides to the UK release.[citation needed] Faithfull performed "Something Better" sung live to a backing track at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, but the programme was never televised and no contemporary performance of "Sister Morphine" is known.[citation needed]
Faithfull recorded the song again in 1979, during the sessions for her Broken English album, and it was subsequently released on a 7-inch and 12-inch single with "Broken English".[5] This recording appears as a bonus track on the second disc of the 2013 deluxe edition of the album.[6] The song remains a staple of her concert set-list and appeared on the live albums Blazing Away in 1990[7] and No Exit in 2016.[8]
The Stones' version, with slightly different lyrics, featured Jagger on vocals, Richards on acoustic guitar, Cooder and Nitzsche again on slide guitar and piano respectively, Bill Wyman on bass, and Watts again on drums.[10]
Classic Rock History critic Matthew Pollard rated "Sister Morphine" as the Rolling Stones' 3rd best deep cut, saying that it's "the Stones’ murkiest song, but it’s one of their greatest."[11]
