Great Rock Albums of 1986: Rolling Stones- Dirty Work
When I began re-familiarizing myself with the Rolling Stones’ 1986 album, “Dirty Work,” I suddenly realized that I might have committed a crime that I should be possibly hung for. During the tour of 1985, I had totally forgotten that Mick Jagger had released a solo album in that year and I remember it was pretty good. The question is now what to do about it.
Before I answer that question, I will now share my thoughts on “Dirty Work.” For me, the album had confirmed that the Rolling Stones had completely gone back to the sound that had made them the legends they were. I was finally able to put the disco albums of “Some Girls” and “Emotional Rescue” behind me and enjoy the music the band had been making since the 1981 “Tattoo You” album.
When I hear the first two tracks on the album, “One Hit to the Body” and “Fight,” I am wondering if the band were going out looking for violence. I mean, the lyrics “I got to get into a fight” makes it kind of clear that they were. Of course, with all the PMRC bullshit that was going on at the time, maybe they were trying to wind people up. Violent lyrics or not, those two songs are pretty hard rocking and set the tone for the rest of the album.
Admittedly, when I heard the first single, “Harlem Shuffle” on radio and MTV, it took me a couple of listens to get into it. However, upon closer examination, the song simply highlights their blues influence and now I can totally appreciate that. An even harder track is “Hold Back” where it almost sounds as if the Stones were trying to go a little metal here. There is some good guitar work on the song from Richards and Wood. Then when you think you have the album pegged, they change things with the Richards lead vocal reggae sounding “Too Rude.” Keith does sing okay on it but what really stands out for me on the track is Wyman’s bass line.
Bill adds another cool bass line on the following track, “Winning Ugly” along with some more interesting guitar work. I don’t know which Stone plays the guitar solo on it, my guess it’s Ronnie, but it’s very nicely done. On the other hand, I don’t know quite what to make of “Back to Zero.” It’s a good track with a good funk vibe to it but I wonder whether or not it’s to be taken seriously or meant to be a tune you play to put life into at party. It could easily do that. The title cut reminds my of a previous Rolling Stones song, “Hang Fire.” Not that it’s a bad thing, I’ve always liked that song and this title track does cook but my ears can’t ignore the comparison between the two songs. It does have a cool guitar solo. They go more old school blues with “Had It With You” where Mick plays a mean harmonica before the album closes with the Richards sung ballad, “Sleep Tonight.” There is strong bayou blues feel on this song and it’s the perfect closer for the album. Unless you count the brief piano instrumental tagged on at the end.
Track Listing:
- One Hit (To the Body)
- Fight
- Harlem Shuffle
- Hold Out
- Too Rude
- Winning Ugly
- Back to Zero
- Dirty Work
- Had It With You
- Sleep Tonight
- Back to Zero

Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger- lead vocals, harmonica
Keith Richards- guitar, piano, backing vocals, lead vocal on “Too Rude” and “Sleep Tonight”
Ronnie Wood- guitar, pedal steel guitar, tenor saxophone, drums on “Sleep Tonight”
Bill Wyman- bass, synthesizer
Charlie Watts- drums
Additional Personnel:
Chuck Leavell- keyboards
Ivan Neville- backing vocals, bass, organ, synthesizer
Jimmy Page- electric guitar on “One Hit to the Body”
Bobby Womack- backing vocals, electric guitar on “Back to Zero”
Phillipe Saisse- keyboards
Anton Figg- shakers
John Regan- bass on “Winning Ugly”
Dan Collette- trumpet
Ian Stewart- piano
Marku Ribas- percussion
What Steve Lukather not on the album?
Jimmy Cliff, Don Covay, Beverly D’Anglelo, Kirsty MacColl, Dolette McDonald, Janet Pendarvis, Patti Schialfa, Tom Waits- backing vocals
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rolling+stones+fight
With the “Dirty Work” album, I was reassured that the Rolling Stones were now back to what made them great. Silly me to have ever doubted them.
Next post: It’s up to you the reader. Should I take a step back to 1985 and post Mick Jagger’s “She’s the Boss” album? Or should I continue with 1986 which the next post would be Rush- Power Windows. Please vote!
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November 21, 2019 at 10:17 pm
I like a lot of 80s Stones. Emotional Rescue is one of their best! And I don’t hate Dirty Work…One Hit to the Body is still great.
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November 21, 2019 at 10:33 pm
Oh yes, great tune but which should be my next post? Mick or Rush?
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November 22, 2019 at 6:59 am
Next up, I wouldn’t mind reading about Mick’s album since I’m not too familiar with it.
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November 22, 2019 at 1:47 pm
So far it’s unanimous that I visit Mick’s album.
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November 22, 2019 at 10:06 am
I’ve never really liked this one, but you make a good case for it. I’d always found it a bit too deliberate in its aim to sound like a Stones album (if that makes sense), but I’ll go give it a listen.
…as for next post, I say go for a wee trip back to 1985.
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November 22, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Thanks and you might have something here. This album sounds so much like a traditional Stones album that maybe they tried too hard. I still like the result though.
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November 22, 2019 at 12:09 pm
I’m with you, I can NOT believe there is no Lukather. How dare anyone in 85 release an album without him on it. As I said on another album, pretty impressive guest list.
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November 22, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Yeah! How dare they not include him? There seems to be a thread here with using impressive guest musicians on albums in the mid 80s.
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November 22, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Could you imagine if you were a huge Lukather fan and wanted to collect everything he ever played on. You would go broke. He is on like 5,000 recordings or some ridiculous number.
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November 23, 2019 at 12:33 pm
I think I’ll keep my bank balance in the black and not purchase all of his recordings. Steve was a very busy boy back then.
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November 24, 2019 at 9:17 pm
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