In 1993, New York City witnessed a moment that has since become the stuff of legend. Mick Jagger took the stage for the only full concert tied to his Wandering Spirit solo album. Fans came expecting his solo hits, but what they got instead was a performance no one could have predicted. When the unmistakable groove of Bill Withers’ Use Me filled the room, the crowd went silent—then erupted. This wasn’t just a cover. It was a reinvention.
Jagger’s Swagger Meets Withers’ Soul
From the first note, Jagger commanded the stage with his trademark mix of grit, charm, and playful defiance. Where Withers’ original smoldered with smooth seduction, Jagger turned it into a full-throttle storm of rock and funk. His growl, his strut, his sly delivery — everything about it dripped with attitude. It wasn’t imitation. It was transformation.
A Band on Fire
Backing him was a band that sounded like they’d been waiting their whole lives for this exact moment. Funk-heavy basslines rattled the floor, guitars slashed through the air, and the drums hit with thunderous precision. Together, they pushed Use Me into overdrive, making it feel dangerous, electric, and completely alive. The energy between Jagger and his band was so explosive that the audience couldn’t just watch — they were pulled into the storm.
A Rare Revelation
By the time the last note rang out, the message was clear: Mick Jagger didn’t just cover Use Me — he claimed it. Critics later called it one of his most fearless solo performances, and fans still talk about it like a secret they were lucky enough to witness. That night wasn’t just about honoring Bill Withers. It was proof that Jagger could bend any genre to his will, and in doing so, remind the world why he remains one of rock’s most untouchable frontmen.