Why the Rolling Stones dropped 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and played 'Star Star' on their 1973 European tour

The 1973 European tour was a transitional moment for the band—they were promoting the dark, funky Goats Head Soup while still carrying the swagger of Exile on Main St. That tension led to a deliberately unpredictable setlist. At some shows, they dropped hits like “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Street Fighting Man” to make room for deeper cuts and new album tracks, including the snarling “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)” and the raunchy “Star Star” (originally titled “Starfucker” until the record label made them change it). The band wanted to test how the new material would land live, and they weren’t afraid to frustrate fans expecting the greatest hits.

“Star Star” was especially rare—it didn’t become a regular live staple until later decades. On that 1973 tour, Mick Jagger introduced it with a wink, knowing its unreleased-at-the-time single was still a few months away. The decision to drop “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” came down to pacing: some nights the band felt the energy of the show worked better without that immediate rock-anthem peak, preferring a slower, sleazier groove. It was a risky move, but it gave those European audiences a glimpse of the band testing their own limits.