Mick Jagger explains how The Cure's Robert Smith ended up on new Rolling Stones album
He's one of the guest artists on 'Foreign Tongues'
Mick Jagger has regaled the amusing story of how The Cure frontman Robert Smith ended up with a guest spot on The Rolling Stones’ upcoming new album ‘Foreign Tongues’.
On Tuesday, The Rolling Stones announced their 25th studio album ‘Foreign Tongues’ will be released to the world on Friday 10th July 2026.
Produced by Andrew Watt (Ozzy Osbourne, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney), who also helmed 2023’s ‘Hackney Diamonds’, the album features a posthumous appearance from Charlie Watts, recorded during his last session with The Stones, and guest spots from Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, The Cure’s Robert Smith and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Speaking at the album launch event at Weylin in Brooklyn, New York last night, Mick Jagger was asked by host Conan O'Brien about Robert Smith’s involvement on the record.
“I turned up one day to do my vocals in London (at Metropolis Studios) and there was this bloke standing there with his back to me with this long gown on. When he turned round he was covered in lipstick,” Sir Mick said.
“I’d never met (him) before and I said, ‘You’re Robert Smith of The Cure’. And he said ‘yeah, we’ve never met.’ And then I said ‘well, while you’re here then you better do something!’ That’s how collaborations work sometimes – ‘go out and sing the backing vocal!’”
The lead single from the Stones' 25th studio album is the upbeat rocker 'In The Stars', whilst the aptly titled sleazy blues number 'Rough and Twisted' (previously released on vinyl only under the pseudonym of 'The Cockroaches') gets a full digital release.
You can listen to both right here: