Jagger reportedly wrote the lyrics in Brixton prison following his conviction on drug charges in June 1967.[5] The song was recorded by the band at Olympic Studios during July and September 1967.[1] The working title of the instrumental backing was "Toffee Apple". Brian Jones performs prominent accompaniment on Mellotron.
Until 1997, when "She's a Rainbow" was also added to the band's stage repertoire, it was the only track from Satanic Majesties that the band had performed in concert. For the first time in 23 years, The Rolling Stones played "2000 Light Years from Home" on 29 June 2013 at The Glastonbury Festival.
Live version
In 1991, a live version was released as the B-side to "Highwire."
Personnel
According to authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon,[6] except where noted:
^Margotin and Guesdon write that Jagger and Richards' vocals during the refrains at 2:36 and 3:49 are accompanied by two unidentified female voices, possibly contributed by singers Marianne Faithfull and Anita Pallenberg.[8]
^Luhrssen, David, and Michael Larson (2017). Encyclopedia of Classic Rock. ABC-CLIO. p. 305.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Babiuk, Andy; Prevost, Greg (2013). Rolling Stones Gear: All the Stones' Instruments from Stage to Studio. Milwaukee: Backbeat Books. ISBN978-1-61713-092-2.