After being dismissed from the critically acclaimed Flying Burrito Brothers, Parsons decided to pursue a solo career. Unlike his previous albums, which blended country, soul, and rock, he aimed to create a more traditional country record. However, his ongoing drug issues and friendship with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones delayed his plans.

In March 1971, Parsons spent time with the Stones during their "Goodbye Britain" tour. Afterward, he and girlfriend Gretchen Burrell moved to the South of France, living at Nellcote, the Stones' rented home. While the band struggled to complete Exile on Main Street, Parsons often joined Richards to sing country songs. Eventually, Parsons' condition worsened, leading to his ousting from Nellcote, as noted in David N. Meyer's biography Twenty Thousand Roads. The Stones, focused on recording, found Parsons' presence increasingly burdensome.

Devastated, he returned to London, briefly staying with former bandmate Ian Dunlop in Cornwall before heading back to Los Angeles to make a solo album for Warner Bros.