MIKE PERCIACCANTE
As promised in the last column, this article will feature more “gotta have” Rolling Stones tracks. There really is no need to go into the background of the band. It hasn’t changed much since June 21st. So, here we go:
61. Rolling Stones – Start Me Up
Because it’s the definitive ‘80s Stones song from their last truly classic studio album. A rocker that is just a tad decadent. With its trademark Keith Richards guitar riff and Charlie Watts’ signature backbeat the song just makes you want to move. The lyrics are also undeniably geared to cause the listener to dance:
If you start me up
If you start me up I’ll never stop
If you start me up
If you start me up I’ll never stop
I’ve been running hot
You got me ticking gonna blow my top
If you start me up
If you start me up I’ll never stop
Never stop, never stop, never stop
Recommended versions can be found on: Tattoo You (Rolling Stone Records, 1981), the live albums Still Life (Rolling Stone Records, 1982), Flashpoint, (Rolling Stones Records, 1991), Live Licks (Virgin Records, 2004), and Shine A Light: The Original Movie Soundtrack (Universal, 2008), as well as the “Best Of” and box set compilations: Rewind (Rolling Stone Records, 1984), Jump Back: The Best of the Rolling Stones 1971-1993 (Virgin, 1993) and Forty Licks (Virgin, 2002).
62. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Rolling Stones
Yeah, yeah, we all know the story. It came to Keith in a dream. It’s got a riff that just won’t quit. Even though Jagger was famously quoted saying that he didn’t want to be singing the song on stage when he was 60…HE’LL BE 69 IN THREE WEEKS AND HE STILL IS. And for a good reason. It rocks! Pounding bass, distorted lead, sneering vocals and sing-a-long lyrics—it really does rock. No need to provide the lyrics here…you all know them already. The song is that popular.
Recommended versions can be found on: Out Of Our Heads (London Records/ABKCO, 1965), the live albums Got Live If You Want It (London Records/ABKCO, 1965), Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out (ABKCO, 1970), Still Life (Rolling Stones Records, 1982), Flashpoint (Rolling Stones Records, 1991) and Shine A Light: The Original Movie Soundtrack (Universal, 2008), as well as the “Best Of” and box set compilations: Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) (London Records, ABKCO, 1966), Hot Rocks 1964-1971 (London Records/ABCKO, 1972), Singles Collection: The London Years (London Records/ABKCO, 1989) Forty Licks (Virgin, 2002), Rolled Gold+: The Very Best of the Rolling Stones (Universal, 2007) and The Singles Collection: The London Years (London Records/ABKCO, 1989).
63. The Last Time – Rolling Stones
Because it’s The Rolling Stones’ first international hit single. If that isn’t a good enough reason, then because it basically was the song that really started it for Jagger and Richards as songwriters. It was their first composition to be used as the A-Side of one of their singles.
Well I told you once and I told you twice
But ya never listen to my advice
You don’t try very hard to please me
With what you know it should be easy
Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don’t know. Oh no. Oh no
As you can tell, from the very beginning, Jagger-Richards songwriting voice was just a bit snarky and different from all others.
Recommended versions can be found on: Out Of Our Heads (London Records/ABKCO, 1965), the live albums Got Live If You Want It (London Records/ABKCO, 1965), No Security (Virgin, 1998) and Shine A Light: The Original Movie Soundtrack (Universal, 2008), as well as the “Best Of” and box set compilations: Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) (London Records, ABKCO, 1966), More Hot Rocks (Big Hits and Fazed Cookies) (London Records/ABCKO, 1972), Forty Licks (Virgin, 2002), Rolled Gold+: The Very Best of the Rolling Stones (Universal, 2007) and The Singles Collection: The London Years (London Records/ABKCO, 1989).
64. 19th Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones
Because it is a neurotic character sketch that is aimed at a poor pathetic girl whose family has let her down. Because it has an amazing bass line and a Bo Diddley-esque guitar riff. Because it has an early drug reference (On our first trip/I tried so hard to rearrange your mind). Because it has the…
You better stop, look around
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes
Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown.
Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown
Here comes your nine-teenth nervous breakdown
…chorus that finds its way into the listener’s head and just doesn’t let go. Because it’s fantastic!
Recommended versions can be found on: the “Best Of” and box set compilations: Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) (London Records, ABKCO, 1966), Hot Rocks 1964-1971 (London Records/ABCKO, 1972), Forty Licks (Virgin, 2002), Rolled Gold+: The Very Best of the Rolling Stones (Universal, 2007) and The Singles Collection: The London Years (London Records/ABKCO, 1989). The song, which was originally released as a single but not on a studio album, can also be found on the live album Got Live If You Want It (London Records/ABKCO, 1965.
65. Rocks Off – Rolling Stones
The recording of this, the lead track on Exile on Main Street (Rolling Stones Records, 1972) was begun in the basement studio of Keith Richards’ rented villa, Nellcôte, in Villefranche-sur-Mer, near Nice. It was completed at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles. But that ain’t the half of it. The recording was haphazard at best. The album is dark dank and in many ways a downer. Exile on Main Street has also been called the best album made by the Stones. As Bill Wyman noted in his autobiography Stone Alone the recoding was arduous at best. Not all band members turned up every day. Not all were clean and sober. There were a number of hangers-on, friends and assorted sycophants where were in constant attendance. It’s a wonder that anything got recorded at all. In addition to “Rocks Off,” Exile featured “Rip this Joint,” “Shake Your Hips,” “Casino Boogie,” “Happy,” “Ventilator Blues,” “Torn And Frayed,” “Tumbling Dice,” “Loving Cup,” “Let It Loose” and “Shine a Light.” It’s a great album. “Rocks Off” is my favorite. Why? Because it is such a beautiful mess. It’s murky, gritty and raw. The mix is not the greatest. Jagger’s vocals are buried. The instruments fade in and out. It almost sounds out of tune. There’s a psychedelic portion of the song where Jagger’s vocals are intentionally distorted. That’s a lot to have going on during the course of an album, but on one song…
And…to top it off, the lyrics are dark with a nihilistic bent; they’re clearly about drugs and addiction…
I’m zipping through the days at lightning speed.
Plug in, flush out and fire the f!@#$%^’ feed.
Heading for the overload,
Splattered on the dirty road,
Kick me like you’ve kicked before,
I can’t even feel the pain no more.
But I only get my rocks off while I’m dreaming, (only get them off)
I only get my rocks off while I’m sleeping.
Feel so hypnotized, can’t describe the scene.
It’s all mesmerized all that inside me.
The sunshine bores the daylights out of me.
Chasing shadows moonlight mystery.
Headed for the overload,
Splattered on the dirty road,
Kick me like you’ve kicked before,
I can’t even feel the pain no more.
But I only get my rocks off while I’m dreaming (only get them off, get them off),
I only get my rocks off while I’m sleeping (only get them off, get them off).
Nicky Hopkins piano and the sax supplied by Bobby Keys augmented by Jim Price’s trumpet drive the song with a little help from Mick Taylor’s and Keith Richards’ guitars. It’s truly amazing that it was released—let along that it is so good.
Recommended versions can be found on: Exile On Main Street (Rolling Stone Records, 1972), the Exile On Main Street re-mastered deluxe edition (Virgin, 2010) and on the 2004 2-CD live album, Live Licks (Virgin).
66. It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It) – Rolling Stones
Has there ever been a more appropriate epitaph? It kinda sums up the entire genre. Hell it kinda sums up every musical genre and could be the answer to the question (“Why are you wasting your time listening to that crap?”) that many parents have asked since the dawning of the rock era. However, that ain’t what this one’s about. It’s a cynical song aimed at all the people who kept saying that the new Rolling Stones song (whatever it was) was good but not as good as the last one. Jagger’s vocals are actually taunting. He’s basically asking what more (that I haven’t already done) can I do for ya. Check out these lyrics:
If I could stick my pen in my heart
I would spill it all over the stage
Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya
Would you think the boy is strange? Ain’t he strange?
If I could win ya, if I could sing ya
A love song so divine
Would it be enough for your cheating heart
If I broke down and cried? If I cried?
I said I know it’s only Rock ‘N’ Roll but I like it
I know it’s only Rock ‘N’ Roll but I like it, like it, yes, I do
Oh, well, I like it, I like it, I like it
I said can’t you see that this old boy has been lonely?
If I could stick a knife in my heart
Suicide right on stage
Would it be enough for your teenage lust
Would it help to ease the pain? Ease your brain?
If I could dig down deep in my heart
Feelings would flood on the page
Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya
Would ya think the boy’s insane? He’s insane
I said I know it’s only Rock ‘N’ Roll but I like it
I said I know it’s only Rock ‘N’ Roll but I like it, like it, yes, I do
Oh, well, I like it, I like it, I like it
I said can’t you see that this old boy has been a lonely?
And do ya think that you’re the only girl around?
I bet you think that you’re the only woman in town
I said I know it’s only Rock ‘N’ Roll but I like it
I said I know it’s only Rock ‘N’ Roll but I like it
I said I know it’s only Rock ‘N’ Roll but I like it, like it, yes, I do
Oh, well, I like it, I like it. I like it…
The song is credited as being written by Jagger/Richards, however, rumor has it that Ronnie Wood (prior to joining the Stones) collaborated with Jagger on it.
Recommended versions can be found on: It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (Rolling Stone Records, 1974), the live albums Love You Live (Rolling Stone Records, 1977) and Live Licks (Virgin Records, 2004) as well as the “Best Of” and box set compilations: Made In the Shade (Rolling Stones Records, 1975, Rewind (Rolling Stone Records, 1984), Jump Back: The Best of the Rolling Stones 1971-1993 (Virgin, 1993) and Forty Licks (Virgin, 2002).
As I mentioned in my earlier rolling Stones column, there are a lot of songs that I haven’t had the opportunity to include. There is just no way that they all could make a single column. I haven’t been able to do the band justice (more songs will be featured in later columns this year, next year and in the future). There are a lot of songs that you’ll need to add to your collection (if you don’t already own them).
Now, as always, I’m going to end this column with a call to action…for the future. What Rolling Stones songs did I miss? What Stones songs do you HAVE to have on your mp3 player that I should have listed? Let me know what Rolling Stones songs need to be included in future columns. Show off your musical knowledge. Send me an e-mail letting me know what you like and why. I’ll give you credit for the suggestion and feature your song selection in a future column. E-mail me at: mikep@thewestfieldnewsgroup.com. Type Can’t Live Without in the Topic. Til Next time!
