Recorded between December 1971 and March, 1972. Released on Exile On Main Street in 1972. Bill Plummer is credited as playing bass in the album's sleeve for this song, but Bill Wyman claims it's a mistake and that he handles the bass.
Lead Vocal: Mick Jagger Background Vocals: Keith Richards & Kathi McDonald Electric Guitars: Mick Taylor (Slide) & Keith Richards (Rhythm) Standup Bass: Bill Wyman Drums: Charlie Watts Piano: Nicky Hopkins Saxophone: Bobby Keys Trumpet & Trombone: Jim Price Maracas: Jimmy Miller
Note: An alternative take of the song, with different lyrics, was released as a MP3 download in April, 2010, and it was also released as a bonus track on the Japanese re-release of Exile on Main Street on May 18, 2010. The Stones haven't released the lyrics to this alternative take, as of now.
ALL DOWN THE LINE (M. Jagger/K. Richards)
Yeah, heard the diesel drumming all down the line. Oh, heard the wires a humming all down the line. Yeah, hear the women sighing all down the line. Oh, hear the children crying all down the line.
(All down the line.) We'll be watching out for trouble, yeah. (All down the line.) And we'd better keep the motor running, yeah. (All down the line.) Well, you can't say yes and you can't say no, Just be right there when the whistle blows. I need a sanctified girl with a sanctified mind to help me now.
Yeah, all the people singing all down the line. Mmmm, watch the men all working, working, yeah. (All down the line.)
(All down the line.) We're gonna open up the throttle yeah. (All down the line.) We're gonna bust another bottle, yeah. (All down the line.)
I need a shot of salvation, baby, once in a while. Hear the whistle blowing, hear it for a thousand miles.
(All down the line.) We're gonna open up the throttle, yeah. All down the line, We're gonna bust another bottle, yeah. Well you can't say yes, and you can't say no, Just be right there when the whistle blows. I need a sanctified mind to help me out right now.
Be my little baby for a while. Won't you be my little baby for a while?