This songs was a July 4th, 1969 chart topper in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Within the first two weeks of July – as it was initially released in the UK – this song would go on to reach the very peak of both charts. Another classic example of how the years of 1967-1969 were so eventful for The Rolling Stones. Sometimes the biggest hits a band can write are written in the most alluding moments. This song was penned by guitarist Keith Richards and vocalist Mick Jagger as they were winding down from their American Tour, while vacationing in Brazil.

Ironically, the song actually speaks about a woman that works in a western styled bar and likes to dance, meet random men and enjoy casual sex; sometimes references towards prostitution are made as well in the lyrics. Another thing to note is that Mick Taylor joining ranks with the Stones changed nothing of this tune; he just played the parts that were written for him on this song.

Like most Rolling Stones songs of the day, the lyrics offer much to tell in the way that the song spoke to people and the visions that it alluded to.

“I met a gin soaked bar-room queen in Memphis…I'm sittin' in a bar, tipplin' a jar in Jackson”

Another important aspect of this song was it was released one day after the death of Brian Jones – an original member of the band.

Live Performance of ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ from the Stones Bigger Bang Tour
The Rolling Stones ‘Bigger Bang Tour’ was perhaps the most memorable of all of the tours that they had gone on to-date. Another thing to note here is that this was a world tour and was more recent. 2007-2008. So, the band was not only promoting a brand new record, they had tons of albums and forty plus hits in the bag already. What this meant is that no matter whom you were or what hit of theirs you dug, you were going to get a little piece of your pie at a show – if they played near your area, and if you could get tickets. In the video below you can enjoy a more recent and up to date live performance by the one and only Rolling Stones as they perform at an unknown arena during this tour.