The Recording Story of 'Ruby Tuesday': Brian Jones' Recorder and the Models Behind the Lyrics

The song came together at Olympic Studios in late 1966, during the Between the Buttons sessions. Brian Jones picked up a soprano recorder—not his usual multi-instrumental flourish—and laid down the haunting, Bach-like melody that became the song’s spine. The band recorded the basic track live, then overdubbed Jones’ recorder along with Jack Nitzsche’s piano and a cello arrangement. Keith Richards later said the song was essentially a collaboration between himself and Brian, with Mick Jagger tightening