Rolling Stones Talk

The hit song, ‘Street Fighting Man,’ by The Rolling Stones is yet another timeless rock and roll song that fits perfectly into the mantra of their amazing record, ‘Beggars Banquet.’ What is important to note is that this record really started a trend for The Stones of making hit music a frequent occurrence…a trend that would continue up until present day. By all measures this songs was a political outcry by the band and has been hailed as one of the most politically sensitive songs of all time. Furthermore, Rolling Stone Magazine has even ranked this song at a rather lofty #295 on their list of the 500 greatest rock and roll songs of all time!

When asked about what inspired him to pen this tune, Mick Jagger responded – during a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone Magazine as follows.

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Just a short while after The Rolling Stones completed their recording sessions for their very successful record, “Beggars Banquet,” they began writing this song which would offer the world one of the most notable and successful, most memorable and loved Rolling Stones hits of all time: “Jumpin' Jack Flash.” The notoriety of this amazing hit song precedes itself even today. It has been featured on more Rolling Stones albums than any other song of theirs, and mostly by the popular nature of this tune. This includes the following Stones records: Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2), Hot Rocks, Singles Collection and Forty Licks.

Perhaps the most notable difference between these songs is the parting of ways of guitarist Taylor and the changes that were being made musically to the band during this shift of theirs. And the most likeable part of the sound is the distinct guitar flavor offered by Keith Richards.

Of this unique sound he created for this song, Keith Richards notes:

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This tune has some rich and vibrant history with the band! It was the first track on their 1968 album, “Beggars Banquet.” This album is considered one of the finer and more eclectic albums to ever be written by The Rolling Stones. Furthermore, “Beggars Banquet” has been ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 32nd out of the 500 best songs to ever be written for rock and roll. This tune was a hit that was written and composed by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger and was originally written as a folk song by the band (rare). Yet an interesting thing to note is that Mick Jagger suggested that the timing be changed – to what it is today – so that the song would more represent a samba.

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A tune that was actually penned by an early 1960s rock band that was called the Valentinos, and was written by Bobby Womack and Shirley Womack. But what is odd about this tune is that the Womack’s would only realize a number 94 on the top hundred charts from this song (US). Whereas when the Rolling Stones covered the song on their album in it peaked at 24th on the United States charts and was released a number one hit – their first ever – in England and Europe.

This song, and the Stones using it to play during their live set amidst their 1964 world tour, actually has quite an interesting story behind it. After hearing the song being played to them at the famous Chess Studios in Chicago, the Stones decided that not only did they really dig this tune but they wanted desperately to cover it and put it on their record.

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