The Rolling Stones: The True Story of "Memory Motel"

A Ballad of Love and the Road

"Memory Motel" is a long, emotional ballad by **The Rolling Stones**, released on their 1976 album *Black and Blue*. It is unique because it is one of the few songs where both lead singers, **Mick Jagger** and **Keith Richards**, share the vocal duties, singing alternate verses. The song tells a story about a brief, unforgettable romance that quickly turns into a lasting memory as the band hits the road.

The Place: Montauk, Long Island

The title comes from a real, old building in **Montauk**, Long Island, New York, which is still there today. The song was written in 1975 when the band was staying at artist **Andy Warhol's** house nearby, rehearsing for their massive *Tour of the Americas '75*. The actual motel was a bit worn down, and while the Stones did visit it looking for a pool table and a piano, legend says the owners, who were unimpressed by the rock stars, asked them to leave! Mick Jagger took this real-life, lonely seaside setting and built the song around it.

The Girl: Who is "Hannah Honey"?

The mystery woman in the song is called **"Hannah honey."** Mick Jagger's lyrics describe her in detail: a girl with "hazel eyes," a "slightly curved" nose and teeth, and hair "drenched in spray" from the ocean. She drives a green-and-blue **pick-up truck** and is heading "Back up to Boston" to sing in a bar.

For decades, fans have wondered who this woman is. Some believe she is a mix of different people, but the name most often suggested is singer-songwriter **Carly Simon**, who was close to Jagger at the time. Others believe "Hannah" was inspired by the tour photographer, **Annie Leibovitz**. The most important thing, though, is the lasting impression she left. Keith Richards sings the repeating, powerful refrain that sums her up: **"She got a mind of her own, and she use it well."**

The Recording and Special Sound

The song was recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany. Mick Jagger started the song, creating and playing the main **grand piano** part, and Keith Richards wrote and played the **electric piano** part for the middle section. The piano interplay between the two main songwriters is the backbone of this seven-minute track.

Because the song was recorded right after the departure of lead guitarist Mick Taylor, the band was auditioning new players. The beautiful acoustic guitar you hear on "Memory Motel" was played by session musician **Wayne Perkins**. The mix of shared vocals, dual pianos, and gentle, soulful guitar work makes "Memory Motel" one of the Stones’ most heartfelt and beautiful ballads.