You Can't Always Get What You Want
Lea Michele Cory Monteith & Amber Riley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Kevin McHale, and Amber Riley is a cover of the original by The Rolling Stones from their 1969 album "Let It Bleed". The song explores the idea that while we may not always get what we want, we can still find what we need if we try. The chorus emphasizes this point, reminding listeners that they might not always get what they want, but if they try, they will find what they need.


The first verse describes a scene at a reception where the singer sees a woman with a glass of wine in her hand who is going to meet her lover, a footloose man. The second verse talks about going to a demonstration to express frustration, concluding that you can't always get what you want. The chorus repeats the message that while we might not always get what we want, we can still find what we need if we try.


The song's message resonates with many people, as it acknowledges that life's disappointments are inevitable. The lyrics encourage listeners not to give up, as they might still find what they need if they keep trying. The song's upbeat melody and catchy chorus make it a classic that continues to be covered and enjoyed today.


Line by Line Meaning

You can't always get what you want,
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


You can't always get what you want,
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


You can't always get what you want,
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


But if you try sometime,
However, if you work hard enough and persevere,


You'll find you get what you need!
You may end up obtaining what is required, despite not receiving what you initially wished for!


You get what you need!
You'll obtain what is necessary for you in the end!


I saw her today at the reception
I encountered her today at the gathering,


A glass of wine in her hand
She was holding a glass of wine,


Oh I knew she was gonna meet her connection,
I had a feeling she was going to rendezvous with someone,


At her feet was a foot-loose man.
A carefree man was nearby her.


(No you can't) you can't always get what you want, (oh no, no you can't)
It's not always possible to have everything you desire, no matter how much you wish for it.


You can't always get what you want, (what you want)
It's not always possible to have everything you desire, even if it's what you crave.


You can't always get what you want, (you can't always get what you want)
It's not always possible to have everything you desire, and this is an unavoidable truth.


But if you try sometime,
However, if you work hard enough and persevere,


Well you just might find you get what you need! (Hey)
You might end up finding what is essential for you in the end!


You get what you need!
You'll obtain what is necessary for you in the end!


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


Singing, we're gonna vent our frustration
Singing, we're going to express our annoyance,


If we don't we're gonna blow a 50 amp fuse
If we don't, we're going to become extremely agitated.


(50 amp fuse, sing it to me)
(50 amp fuse, sing it to me)


You can't always get what you want,
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


(Oh no you cant)
(Oh no you can't)


You can't always get what you want, (oh)
It's not always possible to have everything you desire, even if it's what you deeply desire.


(Can't always get what you want)
(You can't always get what you want)


But if you try sometimes, (try sometimes)
But if you work hard enough and persevere at times,


Well you just might find you get what you need! (Yeah, aw)
You might end up finding what is essential for you in the end!


You get what you need!
You'll obtain what is necessary for you in the end!


Oh oh oh oh oh oh yeah
Oh oh oh oh oh oh yeah


You can't always get what you want,
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


(You can't always get what you want)
(You can't always get what you want)


You can't always get what you want,
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


You can't always get what you want,
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


(Can't always get what you want)
(You can't always get what you want)


But if you try sometimes,
However, if you work hard enough and persevere,


Well you just might find, you get what you need!
You might end up finding what is essential for you in the end!


You can't always get what you want, (yeah, no no, no no, no)
It's not always possible to have everything you desire, no matter how much you crave it.


You can't always get what you want, (no, no, no, no)
It's not always possible to have everything you desire, no matter how much you yearn for it.


You can't always get what you want, (oh)
It's not always possible to have everything you desire, even if it's what you deeply desire.


But if you try sometimes,
But if you work hard enough and persevere at times,


Well you just might find you get what you need!
You might end up finding what is essential for you in the end!


Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah


(You get what you need)
(You'll obtain what is necessary for you in the end!)


You can't always get what you want
It's not always possible to have everything you desire,


You get what you need
However, you'll obtain what is necessary for you in the end!


Oh yeah What you need
Oh yeah What you need


Get what you need!
You'll obtain what is necessary for you in the end!




Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions