to the end," also saying that it is a "typically subtle, but absolutely brilliant, performance." Personnel Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals Keith Richards – electric guitar, backing vocals Ronnie Wood – electric guitar, acoustic guitar Bill Wyman – bass guitar Charlie Watts – drums Release and aftermath The song was released as the second single off the album. Billboard praised its "seductive lyrics" and "catchy r&b flavor." Cash Box said it is "a slow but perky ballad" with "tasty guitar licks." Record World said it "should be equally endearing to both their new and old audiences" as "Miss You." It charted at in the US. A live version was recorded during their 1981 American Tour and was released as a B-side to "Going to a Go-Go", as well as being reissued on Rarities 1971-2003 in 2005. Another live version was recorded during their 2002-2003 Licks Tour which was released on Live Licks. The single edit of "Beast of Burden" was included on the compilation albums Sucking in the Seventies, Rewind (1971–1984), Jump Back, Forty Licks and GRRR! A 5:20 version of the song with extra lyrics circulates among collectors. It was taken from the eight-track mix of Some Girls, which features significant differences from all other versions of the album. In 1983, the song was featured in Christine. Charts Certifications Bette Midler version In 1984, the song was covered by Bette Midler. Her version, which reached on the Billboard Hot 100, modified several lines of lyric (for example, changing "Pretty, pretty, girls" to "my little sister is a pretty, pretty girl"). The track appeared on Midler's No Frills album. Cash Box said that "Midler appropriately switches from sensitive to sassy vocal delivery" and that "the production is faithful to the original." A music video was made for this version that started out with Midler and Mick Jagger talking in her dressing room before she comes out and performs the song with him on stage. As the song ends someone throws a pie at Jagger, and Midler laughs at it until she gets hit with a pie herself. The video ends with a picture of both of them covered in pie in a newspaper with the headline "Just desserts". Track listing 7" Single Beast of Burden 3:48 Come Back, Jimmy Dean 3:51 Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Notes The Rolling Stones songs 1978 singles 1984 singles Atlantic Records singles