"You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones (1969)

Song of the day - July 9, 2024

I’m back and want to welcome every single new subscriber and follower —aloha, fellow rock ’n’ roller! — as well as reassure the rest of you that I’m very glad you didn’t abandon ship while I was missing in action for the past two weeks.

Mea culpa. As usual, I procrastinated on a work project until the deadline loomed — story of my life — and had to work like a whirlwind to get it done. In the meantime, my two posts on Carole King and James Taylor have racked up a record number of views and made me realize that you don’t just want to read about songs and artists — you are thirsty to hear about their creative life and process.

Plus — my 50th high school reunion is getting closer fast and I’m not ready to dance for hours. So I’m going to resurrect my original intent for this substack and start posting a danceable song from my school years (1964-1974) every single day (except Sunday). I won’t be providing any commentary (if you believe that…Florida…land…sale), just posting the video with the credits beneath.

Not keen on getting the daily song? Everything is in a separate section and you can opt out of anything you want. It’s very easy. Follow the directions here.

OK, let’s get on with today’s show.

Song of the day

Groove out to this great dance song from the Rolling Stones, released in 1969 on their Let It Bleed album, and check out the fantastic piano and organ work:

And here’s a live version when the lads were in their prime, with Mick singing to camera and doing some righteous shimmying. This was filmed in 1968 but not released until 1996 because the Stones were disappointed with their performance in relation to other bands and artists on the bill for their concert film The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. It was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who would go on to do the Let It Be documentary. See what you think, but imho you can never go wrong picking up moves from Dancemeister Mick. This was Brian Jones’ last performance with the Stones, and yes, that is John Lennon at the end.

Credits for the album version

Songwriters: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

Producer: Jimmy Miller

The Rolling Stones

• Mick Jagger – lead vocals

• Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitars

• Bill Wyman – bass guitar

Additional personnel

• London Bach Choir – choral arrangements by Jack Nitzsche

• Al Kooper – piano, organ, French horn

• Jimmy Miller – drums

• Rocky Dijon – congas, maracas, tambourine

• Madeline Bell – backing vocals

• Nanette Workman – backing vocals (credited as "Nanette Newman" on the LP)

• Doris Troy – backing vocals

Credits for the concert version:

• Mick Jagger – vocals

• Keith Richards – guitar

• Brian Jones – guitar

• Bill Wyman – bass guitar

• Charlie Watts – drums

• Nicky Hopkins – piano

• Kwasi Rocky Dzidzornu – percussion