You Can't Always Get What You Want
Amber Riley/Cory Monteith/Glee/Kevin McHale/Lea Michele Lyrics


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You can't always get what you want,
You can't always get what you want,
You can't always get what you want,
But if you try sometime,
You'll find you get what you need!
You get what you need!

I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
Oh I knew she was gonna meet her connection,
At her feet was a foot-loose man.

(No you can't) you can't always get what you want, (oh no, no you can't)
You can't always get what you want, (what you want)
You can't always get what you want, (you can't always get what you want)
But if you try sometime,
Well you just might find you get what you need! (Hey)
You get what you need!

And I went down to the demonstration to get my fair share of abuse,
Singing, we're gonna vent our frustration
If we don't we're gonna blow a 50 amp fuse
(50 amp fuse, sing it to me)

You can't always get what you want,
(Oh no you cant)
You can't always get what you want, (oh)
You can't always get what you want,
(Can't always get what you want)
But if you try sometimes, (try sometimes)
Well you just might find you get what you need!
(Yeah, aw)
You get what you need!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh yeah

You can't always get what you want,
(You can't always get what you want)
You can't always get what you want,
You can't always get what you want,
(Can't always get what you want)
But if you try sometimes,
Well you just might find, you get what you need!

You can't always get what you want, (yeah, no no, no no, no)
You can't always get what you want, (no, no, no, no)
You can't always get what you want, (oh)
But if you try sometimes,
Well you just might find you get what you need!

Yeah yeah yeah

(You get what you need)
You can't always get what you want
You get what you need
Oh yeah What you need





Get what you need!

Overall Meaning

The song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones is a classic song about the realities of life. The lyrics convey the idea that life doesn't always give us what we want, but if we keep trying, we can get what we need. The song opens with the repeated refrain that serves as the title, emphasizing the message of the song. Later in the song, it tells the story of a woman at a reception and a man at a demonstration who are both seeking something they may not get, but they keep trying anyway. The song suggests that sometimes we need to be patient and keep trying, even when we don't get what we want at first.


The song was featured in the TV show Glee and performed by cast members Amber Riley, Cory Monteith, Kevin McHale, and Lea Michele. The Glee version of the song captures the spirit of the original, with powerful vocals and a rockin' instrumental backing. The performance is both energetic and emotional, with the cast members belting out the lyrics and conveying the message of the song with passion.


Line by Line Meaning

You can't always get what you want,
Sometimes you won't be able to obtain all of your desires,


You can't always get what you want, (what you want)
The things that you want may not always be within your reach


You can't always get what you want, (you can't always get what you want)
There will be times where you'll be unable to achieve everything you've hoped for.


But if you try sometime,
If you make an effort,


Well, you just might find you get what you need! (Hey)
you may end up receiving what you require for your own betterment.


You get what you need!
You end up acquiring what you actually require


I saw her today at the reception
I encountered her today during the reception


A glass of wine in her hand
She had her hands on a glass of wine


Oh, I knew she was going to meet her connection,
I was aware that she was going to meet her partner


At her feet was a foot-loose man.
At her feet lay a care-free guy.


(No, you can't) you can't always get what you want, (oh no, no you can't)
It's not always possible to obtain all of your wants


And I went down to the demonstration to get my fair share of abuse,
I went to a protest to experience my share of criticism


Singing, we're gonna vent our frustration
Yelling, we'll express our annoyance


If we don't we're gonna blow a 50 amp fuse
Or else we'll be so angry that we'll explode


(Try sometimes) Well, you just might find you get what you need! (Hey)
It's worth a try to get what you want, since you may just achieve what you require.


(You can't always get what you want)
It's not always feasible to get what you seek


But if you try sometimes, (try sometimes)
But if you make an attempt occasionally


(Yeah, aw) You get what you need!
You end up obtaining what you actually require


(You can't always get what you want,)
You might be unable to achieve everything you desire


(Yeah, no no, no no, no) You can't always get what you want, (no, no, no, no)
You may often find yourself deprived of everything you expect


But if you try sometimes,
Nevertheless, trying once in a while


Well, you just might find you get what you need!
Could result in you achieving what you actually require for your own betterment.


(You get what you need) You can't always get what you want
You used to seek certain things but realize now that you need something else in your life, which you've received.


You get what you need
You receive what you actually require in your life, rather than what you thought you wanted.




Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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