Keith Richards Covers Jimmy Reed’s ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ for GTA VI Soundtrack

Keith Richards has recorded a version of Jimmy Reed’s 1961 blues standard “Bright Lights, Big City” for “Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album.” The track was one of six songs Atlantic Records made public on September 17, 2026, ahead of the soundtrack’s full release on November 19, the same day Rockstar Games launches Grand Theft Auto VI.

• “Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album” will hold 34 previously unheard songs, arriving November 19, 2026.
• Six tracks were shared early, including cuts from Travis Scott, Yung Lean with Future and Metro Boomin, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Morgan Wallen and Rauw Alejandro.
• Jimmy Reed’s original “Bright Lights, Big City” dates to 1961 and holds a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• The Rolling Stones cut their own version of the song in 1963, though it did not surface until it appeared on the 2012 collection “GRRR!”

What Other Songs Were Released From the GTA VI Soundtrack?

Alongside Richards’ cover, Atlantic Records rolled out five additional songs from the forthcoming soundtrack. Travis Scott contributed “RHYNO,” produced by former Daft Punk member Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, while Swedish artist Yung Lean teamed with Future and Metro Boomin on “That’s It.”

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso released “Sexy Magic,” featuring PinkPantheress, Fred again.. and Etienne de Crécy. Morgan Wallen offered “Last Thing You Need,” and Rauw Alejandro’s contribution is titled “Macacoa 2000.” The remaining tracks from the 34-song collection have not yet been disclosed.

Keith Richards’ Ties to Jimmy Reed and ‘Bright Lights, Big City’

Richards has spoken admiringly of Jimmy Reed’s music, calling him a “genius” and pointing to a style he says stood apart from every other blues guitarist working the Chicago scene in the 1950s and ’60s. “He was totally unique amongst even all of the other 1950s and ’60s bluesmen out of Chicago,” Richards said. “He has such a distinctive sound. It was almost as if he was laying out to you. Like, ‘Look, it’s really not hard to do. You’ve just got to relax and get into it’.”

Richards added that carving out a signature style is rare in a field crowded with blues musicians. “There are thousands and thousands of Blues players out there and to find a unique sound and a way to play it is an extra touch of genius,” he said. “Jimmy Reed had it.”

No information has been released on when or where Richards tracked his rendition, and it is not known whether it was cut during sessions for the Rolling Stones’ “Foreign Tongues” or “Hackney Diamonds” records.

Will the Rolling Stones Tour in 2026 or 2027?

The Rolling Stones have no shows booked for 2026. Richards has indicated to Uncut that the band could instead pursue a residency in 2027, floating cities such as London, New York, Paris or Rome as possible settings.

Grand Theft Auto VI Anticipation Builds Ahead of November Launch

Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games’ parent company, called preorder demand for Grand Theft Auto VI “exceptional” in early August 2026 without releasing specific figures. Rockstar also put out an extended 26-minute preview of the game through Netflix in late August, and the version posted to YouTube has drawn nearly 28 million views. The title marks the first mainline entry in the series in more than 13 years, following Grand Theft Auto V.

More Info

• GTA VI Soundtrack Unveils New Songs From Travis Scott, Keith Richards, Yung Lean x Future, More | Stereogum
• Hear Keith Richards Cover ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ for Grand Theft Auto VI | ultimateclassicrock.com
• Hear Keith Richards Cover ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ for Grand Theft Auto VI | i95rock.com
• Keith Richards shares new single Bright Lights, Big City from Grand Theft Auto 6 soundtrack | Far Out Magazine
• Travis Scott and Keith Richards feature on GTA VI soundtrack | today.rtl.lu
• Keith Richards Adds Grit to Bright Lights, Big City for Grand Theft Auto VI Album | Rolling Stone