Paying the Cost to Be the Boss

Composer: B. B. King      Original performer: B. B. King (1968)
Recording locations: Ocean Way Recording Studios & Cherokee Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA
April-July 1997
First release: Deuces Wild (B. B. King), November 1997
Never performed onstage

Line-up:

Vocals: B. B. King & Mick Jagger
Rhythm electric guitars: Keith Richards, Ron Wood
Lead electric guitar: B. B. King
Drums: Charlie Watts
Bass: Darryl Jones
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

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
 

(see Stones Covers)