“Wild Horses” by The Flying Burrito Brothers: A Tender Prelude to Rock History
“Wild Horses”, as performed by The Flying Burrito Brothers, is one of those rare moments in music where interpretation feels as seminal as the original creation. Released in 1970 on their album Burrito Deluxe, the song is an intimate and haunting rendition of a piece famously written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. In fact, the Burritos’ version preceded the Stones’ own release, making it the first time this iconic ballad was heard by the world.
The collaboration between Gram Parsons, the charismatic frontman of The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Rolling Stones is the stuff of rock folklore. Parsons was a close friend of Keith Richards, and their mutual admiration created a unique bridge between country music and rock. It’s widely believed that Jagger and Richards entrusted Parsons with the song because of his ability to bring out its deeply emotional and country-inspired soul.
The Burritos’ version of “Wild Horses” is stripped down, heartfelt, and achingly raw. Gram Parsons’ vulnerable vocal delivery, paired with the band’s signature blend of country instrumentation—particularly “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow’s ethereal pedal steel guitar—imbues the track with a melancholic beauty. While The Rolling Stones’ later version on Sticky Fingers leaned into a polished, rock-driven arrangement, the Burritos’ take feels like a quiet, confessional hymn, aching with longing and regret.
Lyrically, the song conveys themes of love, loss, and the inescapable pull of emotion. Lines about the inability to let go, even when reason suggests otherwise, resonate universally, and Parsons’ plaintive voice gives these sentiments a uniquely tender weight. The stripped-back instrumentation amplifies this fragility, making the Burritos’ version an emotionally rich experience.
Though not a commercial success, “Wild Horses” became one of the Burritos’ most celebrated recordings, a cornerstone of their legacy in the burgeoning country-rock movement. The album Burrito Deluxe may not have achieved the acclaim of their debut, The Gilded Palace of Sin, but this track alone cemented their place in the annals of rock history.
For listeners, the song serves as both a tribute to the creative exchange between artists and a reminder of the deep emotional well from which great music springs. The Flying Burrito Brothers’ “Wild Horses” remains a timeless piece, capturing the fragile beauty of human connection and the enduring spirit of collaboration across genres.