Album: Tattoo You (1981)

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• Keith Richards sang the lead vocal on this one. Said Richards: "It's about every good time I've had with somebody I'd met for a night or two and never seen again."
• First recorded at the Emotional Rescue sessions in 1979, its working title was "Bulldog."
• This song is an interesting case where the title is never quite mentioned in the lyrics, but instead it's "she's my little rock & roll." The title also gets written as "Little T & A." The letters refer to "tits and ass," naturally.
• Since this song is a tribute to all rock groupies, there's the 1970 documentary Groupies, all about just these such people, including the infamous Cynthia Plaster Caster. Groupies have an oft-misunderstood place in rock history; many of them present the defense that they serve an active role in providing what little nurturing a celebrity can have when they're on the road staying in 200+ hotel rooms per year. Some of them, such as Sid Vicious' FWB Nancy Spungen, become what many would call a surrogate "road wife," traveling from city to city with the band.
  
  And while we're on groupies and the Stones, one of the most famous Stone-groupies is Chris O'Dell, who trysted with both Richards and Jagger amongst many others. And here's a Telegraph article telling some of her story and announcing her biography. Yes, there she is right in the photo with Richards - she was one of the women Richards was singing about!
• When the Stones toured in 1981, Jagger and Richards were not getting along and making some petty power plays. "Little T and A" was Richards' showcase song on the setlist, and during the performances, he insisted that Jagger be off the stage.

Comments: 12

• John Henry from Reston, VaCan’t get this song out of my head for days!, and I’ve been a Stones fan since ‘68. One of Keith’s best, along with “Before they make me run.” Love the line: “Pools in but the patio ain’t dry.”
• Muggs from Cleveland OhioShe was nasty. Watch the Stones documentary Crossfire Hurricane. They show her on a plane stuffing food in her mouth. IDK, maybe something wasn't right with the shot but I couldn't see anyone f--king her except the riff raff
• Guy from Benson, NcThe video of the song posted here is lousy. Keith has a terrible voice and this proves it. Great song, though.
• Caitlyn from Metuchen, NjKeith has 3 daughters with 2 of them named Theodora and Alexandra. He calls them his Little T and A.
• Carol from Melbourne, AustraliaLove this song and I love him, have done for 51 years
• Danny from Your Town, IaI think Keith should stick to singing this and "Happy".
• Ben from Chelsea, MeKeith was like the biggest $lut rocker ever. Seriouly, just look at songs like this, or Star Star.
• Bill from Erie, PaWhen I saw them perform this, Keith was so drunk he couldn't remember the lyrics, so he just mumbled and occastionally yelled "Baby! Baby!" throughout it.
• Car from Tulsa, OkI like this song, because its exactly what almost every girl wants, a great body and soul too.
• Terry from Richardson, TxBest line: The pool's in but the patio ain't dry!
• Ted from Loveland, CoRecorded in January & February 1979. Released on the album Tattoo You on August 24, 1981
  Lead Vocal: Keith Richards Electric Guitars: Keith Richards, Ron Wood Drums: Charlie Watts Bass: Bill Wyman (?) or Keith Richards (?) Piano: Ian Stewart Backing Vocals: Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Mick Jagger
• Rhett from Melbourne, AustraliaI really like this song - i think its one of keith's best.

More Songfacts:

I Feel For YouChaka Khan

Chaka Khan's hit "I Feel For You" was written and originally recorded by Prince four years before she covered it.

Family AffairMary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige introduced three new words with her hit "Family Affair": hateration, holleration and dancerie.

Uptown GirlBilly Joel

Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" is about Christie Brinkley, who he married, but it started as a song about Elle McPherson, who he also went out with.

Tubular Bells (Part 1)Mike Oldfield

The Exorcist theme music is a portion of "Tubular Bells," a 25-minute song released by 19-year-old Mike Oldfield.

Why Should I Love You?Kate Bush

The Kate Bush song "Why Should I Love You?" is a collaboration with Prince. He completely re-worked her demo, so Bush spent a lot of time piecing it back together to keep her imprint.

Pump Up The JamTechnotronic

The woman "singing" in the video for Technotronic's "Pump Up The Jam" didn't speak English. She was used just for her look, and also appeared on the album cover.

Editor's Picks

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.