She was born as Doris Elaine Higginsen, in The Bronx, the daughter of a Barbadian Pentecostal minister. She later took her grandmother's name and grew up as Doris Payne. Her parents disapproved of "subversive" forms of music like rhythm & blues, so she cut her teeth singing in her father's choir. She was working as an usherette at the Apollo where she was discovered by James Brown.
Troy worked with Solomon Burke, The Drifters, Cissy Houston, and Dionne Warwick, before she co-wrote and recorded "Just One Look", which hit #10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. The song has been covered by The Hollies, Linda Ronstadt, Bryan Ferry, Anne Murray, Klaus Nomi, and Harry Nilsson. Her only foray into the UK Singles Chart, "Whatcha Gonna Do About It", peaked at #37 in December 1964.
As her solo career peaked, she sang back-up for the Rolling Stones, Humble Pie, Kevin Ayers, Pink Floyd (on their album The Dark Side of the Moon), George Harrison, Johnny Hallyday, Vivian Stanshall, Dusty Springfield, Nick Drake, Junior Campbell and Carly Simon.
She was signed by The Beatles to their Apple Records label in 1969, and released the Doris Troy album the following year, co-produced by Troy and George Harrison. Troy worked in the UK throughout the 1970s, appearing at Ronnie Scott's Club and recording a live album, The Rainbow Testament. Her People Records album, Stretching Out, was not a big seller.
Mama, I Want To Sing is a stage musical based on her life, and was co-written with her sister, Vy, a popular New York radio personality. It ran for 1,500 performances at the Heckscher Theatre in Harlem. Troy played her own mother, Geraldine. Chaka Khan played her aunt in the London production, as did Deniece Williams. The musical has been reinterpreted as an upcoming motion picture, starring Ciara, Patti Labelle and Hill Harper.
Troy died from emphysema at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, aged 67.
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Doris Troy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man
No, 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 get what you need
I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man
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 sometimes you might find
You get what you need
But I went down to the demonstration
To get your fair share of abuse
Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration
If we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse"
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 sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"
I said to him
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 sometimes you just might find
You get what you need
You get what you need, yeah, oh baby
I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands
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 sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need
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 sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need, oh yeah
The lyrics of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by Doris Troy convey a message of acceptance and resilience. The first verse describes a woman at a reception with her man, and despite her efforts to meet with someone, she may not get what she desires. The chorus highlights the repeated phrase "You can't always get what you want," which reinforces the idea that life doesn't always give us what we desire. However, the final statement of the chorus is hopeful, stating that if we keep trying, we will eventually get what we need.
The next verse describes the singer going to a protest, where they expect to receive insults and abuse, but they are willing to stand up and fight for their rights because the struggle is worth it. The following verse presents the singer at a drugstore, where they encounter another sick person, Mr. Jimmy. The two share a soda, and the singer sings a song, but unfortunately, Mr. Jimmy passes away, emphasizing life's fragility and the unpredictability of getting what one wants.
Finally, the last verse mentions the reception again, with a different man bleeding from his hand, and the woman with blood-stained hands. The singer has a sense that the woman is dishonest and manipulative, and that she will never get what she wants through such means.
Overall, the song presents a message of acceptance that you can't always get what you want in life, but the things that you need will eventually come to you.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her today at the reception
I saw her today at the gathering
A glass of wine in her hand
She had a glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
I was sure she would meet the person she intended to meet
At her feet was her footloose man
Her uncommitted man was standing next to her
No, you can't always get what you want
It's not always possible to get everything you desire
But if you try sometime you find
If you put in some effort, you may be able to get some of what you need
You can't always get what you want
It's not always possible to get everything you want
But I went down to the demonstration
I went to a protest
To get your fair share of abuse
To receive your fair portion of mistreatment
Singing, 'We're gonna vent our frustration
Singing, 'We're going to express our feelings of annoyance
If we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse'
If we don't, we'll become extremely upset and lose control
But if you try sometimes you might find
If you put in some effort, you may be able to get some of what you need
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
I went to the drugstore in Chelsea
To get your prescription filled
To fulfill your prescription
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
I was standing in line with Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
He looked very unwell
We decided that we would have a soda
We decided to have a soft drink
My favorite flavor, cherry red
My preferred flavor, cherry red
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was 'dead'
And he said one word to me, which was 'dead'
In her glass was a bleeding man
There was a bleeding man in her glass
She was practiced at the art of deception
She was skilled in the art of deceit
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands
I could tell by her hands stained with blood
You get what you need, yeah, oh baby
You receive what you require, oh baby
But if you try sometimes you just might find
If you put in some effort, you may be able to get some of what you need
You just might find
You may eventually discover
Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KCG7
We all love that Chorus!
But!
“I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man”
to
“I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands, sing it”
Just hits me right in my feels. ❤
@larrywalker5781
In my humble opinion as a 78 year old male this was the best Stones song ever
@duanedodson1
This is a good song, until I seen the lipstick wearing fool.
@christianrodriguez-sg8vt
I agree sir.
@chilloften
Haha, it’s a beauty. So many good ones from these guys, what a joy.
@jilldove5793
I'm 55 grew up on stones. Have every vinyl. Been blessed to see them 9 time. Still my fav stones song & wild horses❤
@user-cu4vm8eh5d
Absolutely ! Young man !
@stanleyrafael8973
I’m here at 2:15pm and this song just hit me during the hardest times. My father just passed away due to the coronavirus. As he was fighting for his life for 2 weeks straight and a bunch of prayers. He passed away without having to say one last word to his kids. This song hits because you can’t always get what you want in life, but if you try and keep moving forward you can find light at the end of the tunnel..
@krysiajewitt5627
Sorry for your loss. Stay strong, music is a great friend in times of need.
@axiomist4488
Sorry about your dad.
@Sam-ot8lm
May he rest, I'm sure he was a wonderful man, I send my condolences to you and your family.