Richards has released few solo recordings. His first solo single released in 1978 was versions of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run" and Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come." In 1987, after Mick Jagger pursued a solo recording and touring career, Richards formed the X-pensive Winos with co-songwriter, and co-producer Steve Jordan whom Richards assembled for his Chuck Berry documentary, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll. Additional members of the X-pensive Winos included guitarist Waddy Wachtel, saxist Bobby Keys, keyboardist Ivan Neville and Charley Drayton on bass.
The first Winos' record,Talk Is Cheap also featured Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and Maceo Parker. Since its release in 1988, Talk Is Cheap has gone gold and has sold consistently. Its release was followed by the first of the two U.S. tours Richards has done as a solo artist. Live at the Hollywood Palladium, 15 December 1988 (released 10 December 1991 on Virgin) documents the first of these tours. On 19 October 1992, the Winos' second studio record Main Offender was released, again on the Virgin label, and was also followed by a tour. The last of the Winos' record, Vintage Winos, is a compilation album released on 2 November 2010 on Mindless Records.
Take It So Hard
Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People so pitiful
They never come through
Honey, honey, honey I ain't that way
You want a little bit, once in a while
Come on and get a bit
You shouldn't take it
You shouldn't take it so hard, yeah
Take a look around you, tell me, what do you see?
People with little bits
Try, tryin' to smile
Most of what you've gotten is free, yeah
You shouldn't take it so hard, yeah
You shouldn't take it
You shouldn't take it so hard, yeah
Yank it up, baby
Or get yourself a new name
You want a little bit once in a while
Yeah, you got a taste for it
You shouldn't take it so hard, yeah
You shouldn't take it
You shouldn't take it so hard, yeah
The lyrics to Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos's song Take It So Hard seem to be about the idea of not getting too attached to something or someone, especially when it comes to love. Richards sings about how easy it is to give up on love and how people so quickly disappoint you. However, he knows he is not like that, and he implores his partner to take the relationship lightly and not get too caught up in the emotions of the moment.
Richards suggests to his partner to look around and observe people who have little and yet are still smiling despite their struggles. He seems to be saying that it's important to keep things in perspective and not take them too seriously. The line "Most of what you've gotten is free, yeah" draws attention to the many blessings people tend to overlook. By seeing how lucky they are in comparison to others, Richards argues that people should appreciate the simple pleasures and stop making things harder than they need to be.
The chorus "You shouldn't take it so hard, yeah" urges the listener to lighten up and avoid taking life too seriously. Overall, the song seems to be a reminder that life is short, and one should not sweat the small stuff, especially when it comes to love.
Line by Line Meaning
Giving up lovin', easy to do
It's easy to stop loving someone
People so pitiful
People are sad and pathetic
They never come through
They don't follow through on their promises
Honey, honey, honey I ain't that way
I'm not like that
You want a little bit, once in a while
You want something occasionally
Come on and get a bit
Just take a little bit
You shouldn't take it so hard, yeah
You shouldn't be upset about it
Take a look around you, tell me, what do you see?
Observe your surroundings and describe what you see
People with little bits
People who have small amounts of things
Try, tryin' to smile
They're trying to appear happy
Most of what you've gotten is free, yeah
Most of what you have didn't cost you anything
Yank it up, baby
Take it up a notch
Or get yourself a new name
Or change your ways
Yeah, you got a taste for it
You enjoy it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KEITH (GB) RICHARDS, STEPHEN K. JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tiktoride
Waddy is the coolest, most under-rated guitar player around. He is the genius behind alot of great music.
@fredpaddon8979
I love his work with linda ronstadt-realy lays the groove down!
@TheBlueskyson
he got nuthin on Keef tho.
@cameron_fairchild
this is true.
@matthewcrich5951
He was busted for possession of child porn
@christopherdavison652
Waddy is the Phattest, gtr player !!
@MrCoalescent
Eye-wateringly exhilarating, chills-down-the-back, solid-groove, peerless rock'n'roll. What manificent swagger. Totally f***king nails it.
@johntuttle3245
mind fuckin blowin
@thomasnodine9188
Yup
@TheBlueskyson
ring on snare a little annoying but nice and solid regardless.