Rolling Stones release new song inspired by lockdown

The Rolling Stones have released their first new single in eight years, a tune that reflects life in the coronavirus lockdown.

Living In A Ghost Town, a bluesy composition which was “finished in isolation”, according to the band’s Twitter page, includes lyrics such as “life was so beautiful, then we all got locked down”.

Singer Sir Mick Jagger said that they started working on the track before the pandemic forced much of the world into lockdown and decided to release it because it would “resonate with the times we’re living in”.

In a video posted on social media, Sir Mick, 76, said: “So we were in the studio, the Stones recorded some new material before the lockdown and there was one song I thought would resonate with the times we’re living in which is called Living In A Ghost Town.

“So, hope you like it.”

Guitarist Keith Richards, 76, said: “So let’s cut a long story short, we cut this track well over a year ago in L.A., I believe, for part of a new album, you know, an ongoing thing.”

“Then the s*** hit the fan,” he added and it was decided “this one really needed to get moving right now”.

:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Living In A Ghost Town is the first original song the band have released since two new tracks – Doom and Gloom and One More Shot – featured on their 2012 Greatest Hits album Grrr!

Before that, their last album of new material was 2005’s A Bigger Bang.