Sometimes the best albums start by accident. Keith Richards admitted that he never sat down planning to make Crosseyed Heart. There was no deadline, no pressure, just him in the studio when he felt like it. That freedom gave the music a loose, lived-in feeling that no schedule could ever create. It was music for the sake of staying alive creatively not for filling a calendar.
Keith described the process as relaxed, almost casual, but with the kind of precision only he could bring. He worked on it intermittently, letting the songs grow at their own pace instead of rushing them out. There is a sense of calm rebellion in that choice not doing what the industry expected, just making music when it felt right. That slow burn gave the album its charm and weight.
Ask Keith Richards: What Was Your Process for Making the Album “Crosseyed Heart”?
Fans connected with this story as one listener said they loved that Keith sounded like he was playing just for himself. Someone even wrote that it made them fall in love with music again. It was clear that the easy approach landed hard with people who wanted honesty but polish.
That spirit of pushing through at his own rhythm feels even more striking when you look back at one of the Rolling Stones’ toughest projects. During Their Satanic Majesties Request, Keith and the band were under fire from police, press, and their own chaos. Sessions stretched on forever because band members were late, exhausted, or distracted. Crosseyed Heart feels like Keith finally got to exhale after decades of that kind of madness.
The Rolling Stones Recording of Their Satanic Majesties Request
Their Satanic Majesties Request was their first self-produced album, which meant there was no one to rein in the chaos. Legal troubles for Mick and Keith made the whole process heavier. What came out was strange, daring, and at times messy, but that is why fans still argue about it today. Many listeners now call it “an experiment worth taking” because it shows the band at their most fearless.
Keith’s music has always carried that mix of stubbornness and soul. Whether he is improvising an entire album or weathering court cases to finish one, he stays true to himself. That is what makes following his work so rewarding. Follow Keith Richards on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. His journey is far from over, and each project feels like a new story waiting to be told.