Album: It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a reggae-influenced song. Most of their previous album, Goats Head Soup, was recorded in Jamaica.
  • Keith Richards got the idea for this from a song that came on the radio while he was driving in Munich.
  • The lyrics tell the tale of a poor laborer working long hours while his boss at the oil refinery gets rich.
  • The CD version contains an extra 30 seconds which was left off the original.
  • Ray Cooper played percussion on this track. A British session musician, he played on most of Elton John's albums in the '70s, and has also recorded with Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and Roger Waters. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 4

  • Justin from MaineThat guitar tone!
  • Tim from Long Island, NyOpen G tuning, key of C.
  • Mike from Framingham, MaThis riff and the whole truthful story did and still does blow my mind. Shows the uniqueness of the Stones and always lifts my spirits. I love their aggressive, funky, rocking sound and this song ecapsulates it perfectly just like Jumping Jack Flash and Beast of Burden IMO.
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaI thought it was about a wife, but right now is the first time I heard it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.