Satisfaction
Redding (Otis) Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
I have tried, I have tried
I have tried, I have tried

I can't get me no, ha-ha
And I can't get no, uh, now

When I'm driving in my car
And the man comes on the radio
Keep a-tellin' me more and more
About that useless information
He's tryin' to mess up my imagination

And I can get me no, no, no
And I can get me no
Hey, hey, hey, what I say?
You gotta, gotta, gotta-groovy
We gotta have it, we gotta have it
We gotta have it, we gotta have it
Keep on grooving, keep on grooving
We keep on grooving
Got, no, my, yeah, said

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no, no satisfaction
I have tried, I have tried
I have tried, I have tried, tried, tried
I can't get me no, no, no
And I can't get me no, no, no, no

We gotta groove it, groove it, oh my now
Keep-keep on knockin', knockin' baby, yeah
Ow, gotta, gotta have it, we gotta
Keep, keep, ah

Not ever, woman, she waits long time
This little girl is tryin' to put me down
I keep on runnin' round in my sleep
I keep on messin' up any beat
I keep on rockin', I try to find me
Somebody to love me
And give me some reaction
And I can find nobody, no, no, nobody
Give me no reaction, 'faction, 'faction got to have it
Satisfaction, we got to have it
Satisfaction, earlier in the morning

Satisfaction, later in the evening
Call it satisfaction, in the midnight hour

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Otis Redding's song "Satisfaction" have a theme of frustration and dissatisfaction. The repetition of the phrase "I can't get no satisfaction" emphasizes the predicament that the singer is in - he's tried and failed to find satisfaction in various areas of his life. The mention of the man on the radio giving "useless information" speaks to the way that media can distract and frustrate people with false promises and unfulfillable desires. The lines "I keep on messin' up any beat / I keep on rockin', I try to find me / Somebody to love me" suggest that despite the struggles, the singer is not giving up and is still searching for meaning and love.

Overall, the lyrics of "Satisfaction" convey a sense of longing and disillusionment that is relatable to many people. The frustration and struggle to find happiness is a common human experience, and Otis Redding captures this sentiment in a powerful and catchy way in this song.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't get no satisfaction
I am unable to achieve contentment or fulfillment in my life

I have tried, I have tried
I have put in effort to find satisfaction, but it has been unsuccessful

When I'm driving in my car
While I'm commuting in my automobile

And the man comes on the radio
The male voice on the radio

Keep a-tellin' me more and more
Continuously providing me with additional information

About that useless information
Regarding trivial or unimportant details

He's tryin' to mess up my imagination
Attempting to stifle my creativity

You gotta, gotta, gotta-groovy
We should feel the need to be lively and upbeat

We gotta have it, we gotta have it
We must obtain satisfaction

Keep on grooving, keep on grooving
Continue to move rhythmically and in sync with the music

Not ever, woman, she waits long time
Women take a long time to make decisions or take action

This little girl is tryin' to put me down
This young woman is attempting to bring me down or make me feel inferior

I keep on runnin' round in my sleep
I am constantly searching, even in my dreams

I keep on messin' up any beat
I am unable to find a rhythm or flow

I keep on rockin', I try to find me
I persist in searching for something to fulfill me

Somebody to love me
A person who will care for me and provide me with the affection I desire

And give me some reaction
And respond to my needs and desires

And I can find nobody, no, no, nobody
I am unable to locate anyone to meet my needs

Give me no reaction, 'faction, 'faction got to have it
No one is responding to me and I desperately need satisfaction

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@chancewebster7953

33w↑3

Happy 82nd birthday, Otis. Rest in Peace.

@fbendz

11y↑152

Any true Stones fan should know about their roots, and how much they digged American soul and blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Willie Dixon, Otis Redding, etc, etc. Without those guys, no Rolling Stones.

@joe6096

4y↑13

When Brian, Mick, and Keith were like 18-19 years old they were playing the old American blues and R&B and soul in all the small London backstreet pubs.

@geemeff

3y↑4

That's why they are who they are bud. All they ever wanted to do was play the Blues, everybody knows that one.

@loudmind68

3y↑3

Not everybody, the "centennial" fans ( The Crystal Generation ) really don't know that

@ExpTube1969

2y↑3

no Stones, no Zeppelin, no nothing. lol xD

@cedrikmichelofficiel

2y↑1

Tell us something we don't know...

8 More Replies...

@3HR3NGR4B

1y↑4

Sounds like The Original "I can't get no, Satisfaction!" to my Ears. ✌😘👍

@jamonfannin8628

4y↑26

Hands down, best cover of a Rolling Stones song. Period.

@tyecook9630

3y↑1

Damm right!!

@carolmikofsky4976

42w↑1

Sarcasm? You're joking!

@scrawled_inblack9882

20w

Are you being funny lol

@damianpavinich3212

3y↑9

Best cover ever Mr. Redding

@antoniodelacerda8752

8y↑300

Am I the only one who want this kind of music sounding in every bar again?

@cristianarteaga1092

8y↑4

Same

@Gggwoww

8y↑13

yessss I think that everything I go somewhere where shit music is playing

@geneayala5885

Antonio De La Cerda ...He'll Be Back... For Keeps This Time

@miko50474

7y↑5

.....Eso seria tremendamente genial desde mi punto de vista.

@ray11140

7y↑7

My era. Great music and great times.

9 More Replies...

@dam097

11y↑53

Keith Richards said that "Otis did it perfectly."

@meIande2000

3y↑2

Yeah

@nejibtoukabri1277

@@meIande2000 bb

@loucifer323

Keef to many drugs, this version isn't close to the stones version

@meIande2000

Shalom@@loucifer323
Je suis absolument d'accord avec vous

@whattherock

3y↑4

@@loucifer323 He didn’t say it was close to the Stones version. He said Otis interpreted how he’d originally heard the song in his head. Keith had always intended for the part he played on the fuzz guitar to be played on horns - he felt the version the Stones recorded was just a demo. But the record label put it out while the Stones were on tour. Much to Keith’s surprise it was a huge hit just as it was. But when Otis covered it, Keith said it sounded more like he’d originally wanted the Stones to do it.

2 More Replies...

@meIande2000

12y↑9

Otis Redding was the Man ! Otis Redding and The Rolling Stones rules !!!

@Cakeordeathism

10y↑45

Try putting this on any dancefloor. Doesn't matter who is on it, this will blow them away. Otis...just..rocks..

@hermioneziggeraut7617

10y

So true. This is my dance floor filler.

@otisbeck5327

4y↑19

This is a cool rendition! Otis Redding (God rest his soul)

@miketheshanmanmangan

5y↑14

The cover of The Rolling Stones 1965 Great sounds like it belongs to OTIS, Givin us all plenty of Satisfaction with this one..SATISFACTION OTIS with great MEMPHIS SOUL!

@ARBELL1982

12y↑9

Not a one dislike!! Now that's love and respect for a soul prodigy!!

@RastaSaiyaman

9y↑46

Keith Richards has always said that he intended for the riff of "Satisfaction" to be played on horns, he wanted it to be a Stax soul record. But the release of the demo prevented him from finishing the song as he envisioned it. It was Otis Redding who's version hit the nail on the head with the riff being played by a horn section.

@phug0id

8y↑6

+RastaSaiyaman I've read this in his book as well... pretty amazing how that happened, with the demo being released.

He does admit that he's happy it got released because a version with horns (like Otis' version) was not "the Stones style."

I love both versions for their own reasons!

@RastaSaiyaman

8y↑2

Lee Swagerty
Maybe strange to compare it to but the same thing happened to Father Abraham's "Smurf song" he recorded the demo playing everything himself with lyrics he had every intention of modifying as soon as he made himself more familiar with the little blue men.

But the record company released that demo straight away telling him "it's a hit" and indeed it was all over the world. These days though Father Abraham would like to be remembered for "Red rose cafe" rather than the "Smurf song"

@lydiepaoli1750

7y↑4

Sans nostalgie, aucune..... C'est vraiment TOP!!!!

@craigbeasley1

5y↑18

It's mesmerizing to me how quickly he recorded this in the year (1965) only a month or two after the original. And, the song in this form was a brilliant revved up version still so loved even now!

@klausthiel9395

6y↑3

the best cover of this tune,good ol otis ,funky as hell.

@sauquoit13456

9y↑12

On this day in 1966 {February 27th} "Satisfaction" by Otis Redding entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #79; and six weeks later of April 10th, 1966 it peaked at #31 {for 1 week} and spent 8 weeks on the Top 100...
It reached #4 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
Between 1962 and 1969 he had thirty-one* records make the R&B Singles chart; thirteen made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay"...
He just missed having three #1 records when "I've Been Loving You Too Long" {1965} and "Tramp" {1967} both peaked at #2 on the R&B Singles chart...
'The King of Soul' passed away on December 10th, 1967 at the young age of 26...
May he R.I.P.
* Ten of his thirty-one records charted on the R&B Singles chart after his untimely death...

@valleriewesco2224

47w

😢(😢🎉😂i6ttt is really 6ygyy5yyy⅚5444g4yyyy5y5y545y5y4y

@panzercat39

11y↑99

Keith Richards(who wrote this btw alligator)has said that this is how he heard the song in his head.

@sadywootten7668

Thx! :D

@user-bt4ml5pd6w

u read his book?

@sylvaintheeten9379

4y↑2

Keith Richards didn't wrote it.

@elishaodum7638

4y↑10

@@sylvaintheeten9379 Yes he did "wrote" it. Along with Mick Jagger.

@sylvaintheeten9379

4y↑1

@@elishaodum7638 that's what you think

7 More Replies...

@RMGWOO

11y↑18

People seem to forget that everyone covered each other back then. It was a trend in music and a sign of respect. All the great artists of similar, and sometimes even different, genres were covering each other. I guess now that the industry is so impersonal and corporate that type of artistic freedom is gone.

@denisliber6740

3y↑2

stones are my favorite band and otis is my favorite singer...i feel blessed

@exposive

8y↑4

My favorit song! Otis <3 Cant get enough of U :)

@idrissakebe6649

10y↑1

Even though u are in paradise, your music will never fade away.

@karl_3885

3y↑3

Probably the best Stones cover ever to be.

@andrewbrennan7291

7y↑9

Stunning version

@SandyWolf-

Sept 2020 I'm GROOVING!!!!Whi else is here????

@sekil75

11y↑16

This is a master piece, by far best cover of all times of any song out there.

@larcherclaude4220

10y↑3

inconditionnel d'otis redding depuis toujours!

@HomeoftheWilt17

13y↑18

You know it's good when Richards loved it. Great cover.

@johnvandehey7002

4y↑12

Pulsating back-beat, Otis' unique voice, 60's style blues band - outstanding. 1:58 on is especially nasty.

@manuelastorga2493

3y↑11

Otis could out-Jagger Jagger. That's no mean feat. And the band sounds amazing!

@chitoreid

This is getting down I love Soul music

@Lauraberneri

12y↑11

I love this version too much

@alfredvincent6150

5y↑5

My man Otis!

@galaktikastukstantis9229

5y↑4

Best cover of rolling stones song I have ever found.

@dztronic1616

8y↑7

beautiful guitar's sound at this time...love it

@bartleywalton2178

5y↑7

It would've been nice if the both of them were able to perform the song on tour together

@nigellewis6279

The Day we lost Otis Redding we lost the best soul singer ever no one could ever replace him the same when we lost Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops when I hear their voice I lose it whatever it is Love you guys God Bless RIP Love Nutty Nige great album xxx

@claudettepreisinger

3y↑5

Good cover! He really made this his own!

@andrewbrennan7291

4y↑2

This is fantastic.

@debonaire_nerd

10y↑23

Keith said this is is favourite ever cover of a Stones song. Personally I find his take on the chorus a little "grouchy" or "snarling" but the croon he brings to the song on the verses is fantastic.

@gladman1

9y↑1

@debonaire_nerd

9y↑2

sean ofleen Ha!

@Survivor2002

7y↑1

Here because this album was such a HUGE part of my childhood "getting of musical wisdom." You just don't KNOW!!!

@eric829

11y↑60

some people think im crazy when i say this version of satisfaction blows the stones out of the water... glad to know im not alone on this.

@TheMonavie19

4y↑2

i totally agree

@robertgiamerese9382

4y↑7

No. No, it doesn't. Though Keith Richards seems to agree with you, I do not.

@mpmmclaughlin

4y↑12

this is one of those rare instances in life where I think there is truly no wrong answer. I think Otis' version is utterly amazing. He puts his Otis soul spin on it, and turns it into a classic. But it is a fabulous song in it's own right as a rock standard by the Stones. I'm happy both versions exist and I think whichever one you like, you've still made a good choice.

@virgilrw

4y↑1

I was thinking the same thing a few years back when I heard this song again after many years!
#THIS IS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@johnfulton4061

21w

I couldn't agree with you more the Stones.are a great band and although he co- wrote some great songs I think he is one of the most overrated icons of all time his singing is mediocre to good his dancing is pitiful I'm black and I mention that not to sound racist but I think we're not as easily impressed Van Morrison can sing his ass writes great songs plays different instruments he is so underrated there are a lot of gifted white singers Mick Jagger in my opinion is not one of them

@joe6096

4y↑7

Keith has said his idea for the song was to have horns playing the riff, similar to Otis' version. But the story goes that he fell asleep with his tape recorder rolling, and when he woke up he forgot why he had the tape recorder on. So he rewound the tape and there was the Satisfaction riff, about 15 seconds of it, and 45 minutes of him snoring.

That is so Keith. And so Rolling Stones. Seriously. Who else records a guitar riff like that?

@push555push

11y↑47

Otis improvised a lot as he did not know all the lyrics. Still incredible.

@ELVIS1975T

4y↑3

This is much better than singing it word for word! It brings a whole new experience.

@GORF_EMPIRE

It depends on who you believe as to who did the original but the dates give it to the Stones.

@push555push

2y↑1

@@GORF_EMPIRE The Stones definitely did the original

@GORF_EMPIRE

@@push555push I know.

@ginahigayle3272

The. Bomb. Very. Very. Soulful

@miko50474

12y↑4

i grow up with soul like this , i love it much yeahhhhhhhhhh

@jamie5452

3y↑1

One of my favourites....🤘🇯🇲

@Lylodile

11y↑3

Great version

@cheneyrobert

27w

Keith imagined the horn section, Otis made it happen 😎🔥🔥🔥

@The_Bit_Player

8y↑99

Otis included the horns which Keith wanted for the Stones. Unknown to Keith, Satisfaction was released before he had a chance to arrange the song how he wanted to. Anyhow, it all worked out for the Stones and this is good version as well.

@MrUltraworld

8y↑7

You're right. When Keith heard this version, it was what he originally envisioned. The version that was released was a demo, it had acoustic guitars, the distorted guitar was done later by recording the electric guitar to cassette and pushing the levels, dubbing it back to the 1/4" master

@christopherfujino

8y↑5

Nope, Keith himself said it was a Gibson fuzzbox.

@PrivateAckbar

I've watched the life documentary too.

@gromleif

HeGonnaStayInTheBigHouse? Satisfsction was an accident by Keith

@ClassicTVMan1981X

@@MrUltraworld
He would use the acoustic guitar/tape recorder high output trick more liberally in 1968, on songs like "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Street Fighting Man" and other Beggars Banquet tracks, like "Parachute Woman."

3 More Replies...

@miko50474

8y↑5

.......Dammit , this still so amazing after soooo much time !!!!

@gilbertcordero2761

5y↑2

Awesome blues!!

@abrahampalmer8761

So so lovely

@1973ziggystardust

12y↑3

Woah. The horns in this are amazing!

@mickjagguurrr5680

How could you not like this?

@gabriellacrema5250

7y↑2

such a great version of mick & keef masterpiece! respect

@yuriyviktorovich334

3y↑1

Шикарно!

@malasoul7514

8y↑49

41 people just can't get no satisfaction !

@LitoDaBurrito

4y↑1

158 now, rip

@jamestaylor2976

To me one of if not the best cover of a 60's song.

@theblahman

11y↑15

True, Keith Richards just said on the documentary im watching that he wanted horns and Otis Reddings version got it right

@ruthdixon7807

22w

at the time, mick and keith reckoned being covered by otis was one of the greatest thrills of their young lives.

@ktkorn

3y↑1

Thanks for this great version. Thanks to "The Drifters" for "Under The Bordwalk"! "The Rolling Stones" would not exist w/o other famous artists.

@melende1966b

12y↑1

Thank you for sharing this

@MDOurMD

14w

Keith said in interviews that he envisioned the song's iconic riff played by brass and he pointed to this version as his example.

@EdwinLBunch

7y↑1

Otis, James, and Aretha in days past were all performing for new and eager audiences feasting on their sounds.

@wtfkitteh1

12y↑2

Better than the original. This cover blows my mind.

@greenplasma1312

Awesome! First heard this in the Apocalypse Now workprint and i've been looking all over for it!

@liviustefanache5443

7y↑1

O.Redding; genial!

@solomonmakgato6903

4y↑8

Otis voice on this track was like electrified

@sugarlove

6y↑11

faaaaaaaaantastic xxxxxxx

@keanusalahuddin5616

This hellaa better ,so much more soul to it 💯

@albertoruiz3749

Gracias #bertoromero por descubrirme a Otis Redding 👏👏👏

@Elze77

13y

Il n'y a pas d'âge pour aimer une chanson ....

@herng328

13y

am i the only 21 year old guy who is loving this song?

@ginahigayle3272

Love.e. Some Otis. Redding

@apseudonym

12y↑4

I used to think this was the best version, but The Stones wrote it and this awesome song would not have existed without Keith. They're both equally timeless classics and I like the direction Otis took it in and Keith does too.

@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis

40w↑1

This is closer to what The Rolling Stones wanted to release, but their record company released it with the interim guitar track, which became famous.

@nyima04011

18w

Just read that Keith wanted horns to play his guitar riff so he was really happy that Otis did it!

@SamHenryRULES

13y↑36

Personally I like this version best

@cartagenero1980

amazing

@LitoDaBurrito

same

@michavandam

3y↑1

It's good, but I prefer the Stones' cover of this song.

@broccolihart1

13y↑1

Now thats how this song was supposed to be done!!

@zgottliebrmimiquelxyv140

זמר הנשמה הראשון.

הלך לעולמו יחד עם כל להקתו בתאונת מטוס.
This is a cool rendition! Otis Redding (God rest his soul)
Personally I like this version best

@derncan7094

5y↑1

Legendary

@sicnarf423

Damn I never knew this was the original. It rocks

@lennartjeuring1

You didn't pay attention. It's not, but it should have been.

@Walruswhale

13y↑2

wow...otis took this song to a whole new level.

@yodisdabomb4081

Too cool!

@richardbusson5903

4y↑3

This is an attempt to reach a broader audience. Not Otis’s idea but he gave it hell and I admit it is convincing.

@robertoaureli2

Grande grande grande !!!!!

@shamanverse

3y↑4

Keith Richards' favorite Stones cover.

@gabirolon5298

6y↑2

Te amo Otis CARAJOOOOO

@samuelglass6805

Who thinks this SLAPS even now in 2020?

@blakebunch7891

11y↑1

Keef actually wrote the guitar lick with the imagination of the horns, but passed out for 30+ mins after writing the chorus. He left the rest to Mick to freestyle, which obviously worked out well. In his biography he says Otis' version was exactly how he envisioned it.

@piakatharina1737

10y↑9

fuck this is so great

@michavandam

3y↑1

I never knew the Stones' recording of this song was a cover!

@devinbret

It's not the rolling Stones wrote this song

@neinei4186

2y↑2

muito bom

@taycon911

26w

Nice❤

@Everything4405

10y↑2

my favorite song from the golden music time
coming from a 15 year old

@xWWEPPvHighlightsx

10y

Good lad.

@hungryherbie

10y

a 15 year old with common sense ....Otis Redding legend

@strandpapa

Everything4405 its my favorite song too coming from a 6 and a half year old

@hungryherbie

strandpapa with a name like papa six an a half seems extreme I would say no need to make fun of a 15 year old who genuinely likes this stuff like me who is a mature adult ..cheers herbie

@fredjones1423

Everything4405 Keep your goddamn age to yourself.

3 More Replies...

@robbanks6683

RAWWWWWK ON OTIS!!!!!!

@lisaaubrey2744

Hi Rob

@anando41

Свакако најбоља обарда овог легендарног класика од Стонса

@rennaesocool1840

7y↑1

for years I thought this was the original and the stones was the cover

@nitronsa

6y↑33

A CANA GETA NOW (BERTO ROMERO)

@christophercuts

The people that "dislike" this track embarrassingly don't even know what they are disliking, lol. 🙄

@RollesRhys

12y↑1

wow only 26. imagine if he'd of lived on!!!

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