Paying the Cost to Be the Boss

Artist: B. B. King
Composer: B. B. King         Original performer: B. B. King (1968)
First release: Deuces Wild album, November 1997
Recording date: March-April 1997
Recording locations: Ocean Way Recording Studios & Cherokee Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA
Producer: John Porter         Chief engineer: Joe McGrath
Never performed onstage

Line-up:

Drums: Charlie Watts
Bass: Darryl Jones
Rhythm electric guitars: Keith Richards (incl. solo) & Ron Wood
Lead electric guitar: B. B. King
Vocals: B. B. King & Mick Jagger
Harmonica: Mick Jagger
Keyboards: Tommy Eyre
Saxophone: Joe Sublett
Trumpet: Darrell Leonard
 

You act like you don't want to listen
When I'm talking to you
You think you ought to do, baby
Anything you want to do

You've got to be crazy, baby
Just got to be out of your mind
As long as I'm paying the bills
I'm paying the cost to be the boss

I'll drink if I want to
And play a little poker too
Don't you say nothing to me
As long as I'm taking care of you

As long as I'm working, baby
And paying all the bills
I don't want no mouth from you
About the way that I'm supposed to live

You've got to be crazy, baby
Just got to be out of your mind
As long as I'm paying the bills
I'm paying the cost to be the boss

Oh
Now that you've got me
You act like you're ashamed
You don't act like my baby
You just use my name

But I tell you I'm going to count my money
And I don't want no back talk
If you don't like what I'm doing, baby
Pick up your things and walk

You've got to be crazy, baby
Just got to be out of your mind
As long as I'm paying the bills
I'm paying the cost to be the boss


 

TrackTalk

Keith soloed with me. I think Ronnie played some too, but Keith was the one that cut me up... and he was not drinking at all that day. He was himself, a beautiful man and a hell of a guitar player. And that's Mick playing the harmonica as well. He was great. We had a good time - it was like an old homecoming, friends getting together.

- B. B. King, 1997


(Mick) was playing harp with B. B. King, and he got the nod from B. B.

- Keith Richards, August 1997


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