Come On by The Rolling Stones

Album: Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) (1963)

Charted: 21

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Running a tight 1:47, "Come On" was The Rolling Stones' first single; it's a remake of a Chuck Berry song from 1961. Berry was a big influence on The Stones, particularly their guitarist, Keith Richards. Before they sharpened their songwriting skills, the group did a lot of covers, and Berry was at the top of their list. Other Chuck Berry songs The Stones recorded include "Around And Around" and "Carol."
The Stones performed this song on Thank Your Lucky Stars, a popular English TV show, on July 7, 1963 in their very first TV appearance. The show's producer told the Stones manager he should "Get rid of that vile-looking lead singer with the tire-tread lips." They decided to keep Mick Jagger.
This was the first song The Stones recorded professionally. They recorded it on May 10, 1963.
The song reached #21 on the UK Singles chart, a solid debut for The Stones. But Mick Jagger isn't impressed. He had this to say about the song in 1971: "I don't think 'Come On' was very good, in fact it was s--t. God knows how it ever got in the charts, it was such a hype. In fact we disliked it so much we didn't do it on any of our gigs."
In their review of "Come On," June 8, 1963's Record Mirror referred to The Rolling Stones as, "a bluesy very commercial group that should make the charts in a smallish way."

Comments: 3

Guy from Woodinville, WaThe lads may not have liked it, but it's an interesting artifact of the Stones' evolution, since your first single is always about trying to get a commercial hit. In any case, it's a great pop song. Rare to hear Brian Jones singing!!
Ian from Lethbridge, CanadaThis song is awesome! Very impressive considering it was their very first song!
Chelsea from Nyc, OrA rare appearance of Brian Jones on BU vocals. Andrew Oldham had no idea what "mixing" a song meant when asked how he wanted it to sound after the Stones had recorded it. So he just told the engineer to go ahead. A very "poppy" sounding song for the Stones in their bluesy period that was aimed at the recordbuying market.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Part-Time LoverStevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder was 12 years old when he released his first #1 hit, "Fingertips (Part 2)." He had to wait 22 years for his next one: "Part Time Lover."

BrickBen Folds Five

The Ben Folds Five song "Brick" is about a difficult time when Folds' girlfriend got an abortion.

Livin' La Vida LocaRicky Martin

"Livin' La Vida Loca" is a Latin pop landmark, but "la vida loca" are the only Spanish words in the lyric - "mocha" is English.

Rolling In The DeepAdele

Adele got the title "Rolling In The Deep" from the British saying "Roll Deep," which means to look after someone. She was "rolling deep" with her boyfriend until he betrayed her.

Gives You HellThe All-American Rejects

The first US Top 10 hit with the word "hell" in the title was "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects in 2008.

Sister ChristianNight Ranger

"Sister Christian" was written by Night Ranger drummer Kelly Keagy, who was imploring his younger sister to be careful in her reckless youth, especially when "motoring" (driving around) with friends.