Album: Sticky Fingers (1971)

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• Yeah, you got satin shoes
  Yeah, you got plastic boots
  Y'all got cocaine eyes
  Yeah, you got speed-freak jive
  
  Can't you hear me knockin' on your window
  Can't you hear me knockin' on your door
  Can't you hear me knockin' down your dirty street, yeah
  
  Help me baby, ain't no stranger
  Can you help me baby, ain't no stranger
  Help me baby, ain't no stranger
  
  Can't you hear me knockin', ah, are you safe asleep?
  Can't you hear me knockin', yeah, down the gas light street, now
  Can't you hear me knockin', yeah, throw me down the keys
  Alright now
  
  Hear me ringing big bell tolls
  Hear me singing soft and low
  I've been begging on my knees
  I've been kickin', help me please
  Hear me prowlin'
  I'm gonna take you down
  Hear me growlin'
  Yeah, I've got flatted feet now, now, now, now
  Hear me howlin'
  And all, all around your street now
  Hear me knockin'
  And all, all around your town Writer/s: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
  Publisher: Abkco Music Inc., BMG Rights Management
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 65

• Bmonster13 from The Astral PlaneDanny B from Maryland, you're wrong. Richards himself said he came up with the opening riff, which he said is no big deal to play as far as difficulty. Taylor is more known for the solo work in the extended jam, which he pretty much initiated.
• Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganSweet Jam! Just curious, I know Keef’s guitar is in open G, does anyone know if Mick T’s axe is in standard or if he’s in open G as well? If he is, major props to him for being able to solo so well in an alternate tuning!
• Nanette J Litven from Hudson, New YorkNot one person mentioned Bobby Keys or the brilliance of Jimmy Miller who so masterfully meshed together Mick Taylor's brilliant guitar part with Bobby's brilliant sax at the end. Amazing, amazing song, but wouldn't be the same without them.
• AnonymousKeith opened on lead on this one and wrote the song. Many seem to always favor Taylor, even over Keith. According to Muddy Waters Keith is a Rolling Stone unlike Taylor. It's to bad that Wood didn't join I'm 69 as he was a Rolling Stone before he even joined. Taylor was allowed by Keith to merge into a jam session and changed the song. Taylor did a very nice job, but Bobby never gets the credit he deserved. Bobby, Keith, Charlie, Bill and Billy could've easily finished the tune on top.
• Otis from Out ThereTaylor's solo on the jam is superb. If you don't think so, you try getting that same sound in every nuance.
• Jeff from Dallas TxAgree with you Darin. Taylor could have kept going. I feel bad he is in a destitute situation. I’ll put him up.
• Michelle from Rhode Island Is this about sex or drugs?? ' haha he's knocking for which
• J O from L Abest stones song EVER!
• Darin Humbert from Lakewood Calif.Just read Taylor basically lives in poverty, hasn't received royalties in years, and Woods is a multi millionaire. The Stones should get straight with Taylor, The band's fame came from Albums Taylor made Great. And robbing him of writing credits . Taylor said as much
• AnonymousThe Rolling Stones are the greatest Rock and Roll band in the world.
• Animal Protectress from Corona LockdownRomeo wants Juliet really bad in this song and he ain't subtle nor romantic about it
• Danny B from MarylandMick Taylor plays the beginning riff NOT Keith fellas.
• Richard from TexasThe greatest rock riff ever played...period
• Luke from London, UkI used to always skip this song, I thought it was long and boring, but now I love it! For a great one-two, listen to this and I Want You (She's So Heavy) by The Beatles. I actually have a playlist on my iPod (Sticky Road) consisting of just those two songs.
• Soho from LondonKeith laid out the basic reef and you can hear him clearly on the vocals but the melodic guitar work in the instrumental section is all Mick T! He is such a fluid and melodic player.
• Rick from Worcester MaI agree mMik.
• Deethewriter from Saint Petersburg, Russia FederationTaken from Original Rolling Stone Review [June 10, 1971]: "Years ago, when I first heard that the Stones had recorded something 11 minutes long, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it, thinking it was sure to be the definitive rave-up and hoping it would finally put the Yardbirds and Them in their place. When I finally heard "Going Home" I realized the Stones couldn't conceive of a long cut as anything but a vehicle for Jagger to project through. Given the time to stretch out, they went for the mellow down easy side with the emphasis on the voice rather than the instruments.
  
  Now they have done something with a long instrumental break in it and it ain't bad. On the other hand, I can't see what it really has to do with the Rolling Stones. The song is good but once into the solos there is a touch of R&B, a touch of Santana, but nothing to really identify with. So maybe they had the right idea the first time. For old times sake I do hope that the really boring guitar solo is by Mick Taylor and that those great surging chords in the background are by Keith Richards, the original Sixties rock and roll guitarist, and mast of Chuck Berry music, and the soul of the Rolling Stones."
• Rick from Landrum, ScThat's wrong. Read the Richards autobiography...he played the main riff.
• Nat from Nyc, NyActually Keith is not even featured on guitar on the studio album version of the song. Sorry, but Keith was not around when this track was cut...
• Jim from Long Beach, CaMy top 5 Stones song. Another Classic!
• Mike from Anaehim, CaI'm not sure I believe the claim that that was end of the song, and then someone--Taylor or Richards (sounds like Richards to me) spontaneously kept playing. Not that they can't jam, but without that second part the end of the song would have ended so abrubtly (right after he sings "all around your town"). Really, it was supposed to end like that? I can't believe that's how they planned it. Maybe it had a slightly different ending, and they cut the song and spliced in the jam. Hmmmm. Mike, California
• Mick from Philadelphia, PaStarting in 1968 with Beggars Banquet and ending in 1972 with Exile on Main Street. In my opinion the golden era of the Rolling Stones. Let in Bleed and Sticky Fingers were amazing albums as well, and let us not forget the 1970 live gem Get Your Ya Ya's Out! :)
• Brian from Boston, MaGreat song I think stickyfinger is an awsome album. With all the recent talk about Exile on Main street this in my opinion is a better album.
• Shannon from Charlottesville, VaMick Taylor kept the song going after a certain point, but the first/main riff in the second part (after "all around your town") - in addition to sounding like Keith - comes from the same speaker channel (left, I believe) as Keith's other guitar parts. Each guitar drops out at different points, but their channels don't change. Regardless, there are many great moments here from Keith and Mick T.
• Richie from Omaha, NeThis jam track (featuring & heavily influenced by Mick Taylor) shows the Stones at their best. Nothing they've done before or since comes even close. Of course, the "Sticky Fingers" album was in a class by itself, as well.
• Jim from Long Beach, CaThe Stones, the drugged out and dark 70's version. It was a great time for the Stones with Mick Taylor on guitar, in my opinion their best era ever 1969-1974....
• Jack from Brookline, MaHey Joey from Boston, I'm also from Boston (good place to be from) and I definitely think you're right, this could be one of their best. You gotta hear "Midnight Rambler" though and then tell me which one you think is better...I LOVE this one and it's a LOT different than Midnighter Rambler's "breakdown". But the breakdown with Mick Jagger on the harmonica...it's just the FUNKIEST riff ever. It actually reminds me of a "breakdown" the J. Geils Band would do! LOVE J. Geils!
• Daevid from Glendale, CaLove the Jam on the end. Yet another triumph for the Stones.
• Allox from Qld, AustraliaMy favourite Stones song!!
• Ken from Melbourne, AustraliaWhilst the Stones didn't perform this song live until 2002 it was part of Mick Jagger's set when he toured Australia solo in 1988.
• Alexandria from Preston, CtI absolutely love this song. One time they did a countdown on Sirius Rolling Stones Radio when they still had that, and this was their number one song. At the time I was so mad because I had never heard it before. But it's probably one of my favorite songs now.
• Jeff from Austin, Txhell yeah!!! CASINO!!! I was never a Stones fan, but whenever I hear this song, I instantly see the scene where Nicky's crew is being introduced. Bernie Blue, Sal Fusco, Jack Hardy. True pimps!!!
• Toe from C Town, OhSong is played in its entirety in Casino (not to be confused with Monkey Man and Goodfellas) - yet another brilliant Scorcese assimilation of the Stones filthy sound with mob life.
• Scott from Boston, MaI've heard the biggest reason Taylor left the Stones was because he didn't think he was getting the credit he deserved. He claims he co-wrote a few songs (can't remember which ones specifically) on the "It's Only Rock N' Roll" album, but every song was just credited to Jagger and Richards. Many people thought he'd have a successful solo career like Eric Clapton because he was considered one of the best guitarists in the world at the time, but it never panned out.
• Mitchell from Commerce, MiThis song is very underrated, but i gotta say its one of my favorites.
• Kevin from Springfield, PaWow this song rocks! Most underrated stones song. ROCK ON
• David from Enniskillen, CanadaI like to think that Charlie's jazzy drumming in the "jam" adds quite a bit to this classic. Love this song.
• Mr.goodtimes from Edmonton, Canadagimme shelter was in goodfellas, cant remember if this tune is...
• Angela from Duga Resa, CroatiaThink the guys gave their best, what resulted with euphoric, brilliant moode-making song. The best song, enjoy in every second of it.
• Jab from Avon, OhThis is a pretty good song, even though it is lengthy. You can play a slightly shorter version this song in the video game "Guitar Hero II".
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWasn't this used in Goodfellas?
• Melquiades from Cali, South AmericaThis is an excellent song. (the first riff blows my mind, and the drums at 16/wow i love this song....
• James Cuthbert from London, EnglandI rate Keith's riff at the start of this song so deep down and dirty and him at his best. Mick was an intuitive genius to continue and the 7 minutes or so are all totally justifiable. Brilliant. Definitely a track to play when driving to a wild party
• John from LondonWhat happened to Mick Taylor. Seems all the tunes he contributed too are good. I think I heard he walked out?
  John, London
• Keith from Front Royal, VaThe single greatest song by the single greatest rock band ever. Say what you want about Mick Taylor (his playing is fantastic on this and many other songs, especially live) but, like a ton of other Stones songs, this would be nothing without Keith Richards.
• Kira from Edmonton, CanadaOne of the best Stones' songs in my opinion. Totally reminds me of Blow.
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaThis is kinda like Santana...
• Craig from Irvine, CaThe "real story" is the song as intended to be about 3 minutes long...everyone, including "Keef", Billy Preston, etc. stopped playing and put down their instruments ,EXCEPT for Mick Taylor, who kept going, Mick J., Keef, and gang quickly grabbed their instruments and joined in, turning into the 7 minute "Santana" like jam. By far one of the great guitar riff intros of all time
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWow what a great song. I just love how long it runs.
• Shannon from Charlottesville, VaIt was actually Keith who kept the song going - it's his "sliding" rhythm riff that starts right after the brief percussion break (he played it perfectly on the Licks tour). Mick Taylor comes in gradually with volume pedal-controlled licks before breaking into the Santana-esque solo.
• Brick Bradford from L.a., CaFirst half of the song is vintage Keith, second half is vintage Taylor. All in all, vintage Stones.
• Joey from Boston, MaThis is probably the Rolling Stone's most underrated song. This might be the greatest riff they ever came up with
• Keith from Nashua, NhThanks Dave, I knew I had heard that jam before. wasn't sure if it was Phish the Dead or the Allmans. Now off to listen to some Phish. Glad I finally found the Stones.
• John from Brighton, MiThe passage that starts with "Hear me ringing" and "Hear me knocking", about 40 seconds all told, is one of the best ever in rock 'n' roll. Keith's guitar sounds like a swaggering woman.
• Tom from Newark, DeAs long as the song is, according to Mick Taylor, the full version was 25 minutes long, and he was livid that they did not release the full version on the Album. In his mind, that showed that he was out of step with the rest of the band
• Jo-c from Lima, PeruI like both the main part and wonderful jazz solo, changed my image on jazz a lot. Great.
• Dave from Boulder, CoThe Can't You Hear Me Knocking jam has been used a number of times by Phish at the end of Weekapaug - check out Slip, Stitch, and Pass...
• Jon from Salinas, CaThe extended jam at the end sounds quite a bit like Eddie Harris' jazz classic "Listen Here"
• Rhett from Melbourne, Australiaas written, features in the movie 'Blow', and pretty much makes the movie - its the lead in song
• Matt from Durham, NhKeith's best guitar track ever. And thanks, Naomi.
• Ace from Las Vegas, NvThe whole song was played in the movie "Casino" during the scenes that Joe Pesci's character is building up his gang.
• Victor from Vienna, Vaappears in the movie "Blow" (2001)
• Naomi from Pg, Canadathe rhtyhm guitar part played in the beginning is done in DGDGBD tuning.
• Danny from Grass Valley, Cathe extanded jam at the end happened by accident in the studio when mick taylor kept going when the song was suppose to end. Soon the others joined in and it was left on as part of the song.
• Chelsea from Nyc, OrWas the most requested song by hardcore Stonesfans to be performed live. It finally made it onto the setlist in 2002 for the 40 Lickstour. Taylor's solo is often likened to Carlos Santana.

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