"You Can't Always Get What You Want" was recorded on November 16 and November 17, 1968 at London's Olympic Sound Studios. It features the London Bach Choir powerfully opening the song under the stewardship of Javier Sanchez Broto, highlighting throughout, and bringing it to an uproarious conclusion. Jimmy Miller, the Rolling Stones' producer at the time, plays drums on this song instead of Charlie Watts. Al Kooper plays piano, organ and horn while Rocky Dijon plays congas and maracas. Nanette Workman sings backup vocals, but she is credited as "Nanette Newman".
Of the song, Jagger said in 2003, "'You Can't Always Get What You Want' was something I just played on the acoustic guitar - one of those bedroom songs. It proved to be quite difficult to record because Charlie couldn't play the groove and so Jimmy Miller had to play the drums. I'd also had this idea of having a choir, probably a gospel choir, on the track, but there wasn't one around at that point. Jack Nitzsche, or somebody, said that we could get the London Bach Choir and we said, 'That will be a laugh.'"[1]
In his review of the song, Richie Unterberger says, "If you buy John Lennon's observation that the Rolling Stones were apt to copy the Beatles' innovations within a few months or so, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is the Rolling Stones' counterpart to 'Hey Jude.'" Jagger said in 1969, "I liked the way the Beatles did that with 'Hey Jude'. The orchestra was not just to cover everything up - it was something extra. We may do something like that on the next album."[2]
The three verses (along with the varied theme in the 4th verse) address the major topics of the 1960s: love, politics, and drugs. Each verse captures the essence of the initial optimism and eventual disillusion, followed by the resigned pragmatism in the chorus.
Unterberger concludes of the song, "Much has been made of the lyrics reflecting the end of the overlong party that was the 1960s, as a snapshot of Swinging London burning out. That's a valid interpretation, but it should also be pointed out that there's also an uplifting and reassuring quality to the melody and performance. This is particularly true of the key lyrical hook, when we are reminded that we can't always get what we want, but we'll get what we need."
Release and aftermath
Though popular on modern classic rock radio stations, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" was not released as a single, but rather as the B-Side to "Honky Tonk Women", albeit in an edited form (4:49). One of the Stones' most popular recordings, it has since appeared on the compilations Hot Rocks, Singles Collection and Forty Licks.
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is very popular at Stones shows due to the sing-along chorus, and is played at almost every show (where it is custom for Jagger to change the lyrics from "my favourite flavour, cherry red" to the question "What's your favourite flavour?" to which the audience replies "Cherry red"). Live recordings appear on the albums Love You Live, Flashpoint, Live Licks, and The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus.
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Rolling Stones Lyrics
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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, well, you might find
You get what you need
Ah, yeah
Oh
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 fifty-amp fuse"
Sing it to me, honey
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
Ah baby, yeah
Ah
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, well no
You can't always get what you want. I tell you, baby
You can't always get what you want, no
But if you try sometimes you just might find, uh, mm
You get what you need, oh yeah, woo!
Ah, woo!
You get what you need, yeah, oh baby
Ah yeah
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
You can't always get what you want, yeah
You can't always get what you want, ooh yeah, child
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, ah yeah
Ah baby, woo!
Ah, you can't always get what you want, no, no, baby
You can't always get what you want, you can't now, now
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find that you
You get what you need, oh yeah
Ah yeah, do that
The lyrics of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones are about the uncertainty of life and the fact that sometimes, even if we do everything we can, we don't get what we want. The first and second verses depict the singer's attempt to reconnect with a woman he saw at a reception. Although he desires to be with her, it seems that she is with someone else, implying that he cannot always have what he wants. Nonetheless, the song's titular message of "but if you try sometime, you find / you get what you need" appears in each chorus, as the singer is suggesting that trying to attain what he needs will help fill the void of not attaining what he wants.
The song's third verse is about the singer's participation in a political protest, presumably the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The lyrics describe the singer's desire to express his political views and frustrations, which seems to be his need rather than what he wants. In this verse, the singer recognizes that trying towards what he needs, which is getting his fair share of abuse at the demonstration, allowed him to attain what he needs, which is an outlet for his frustrations.
Finally, the fourth and fifth verses describe the singer's visit to a drugstore. The singer tries to help his friend, who appears to be ill, obtain his prescription. However, the pharmacist refuses to give Mr. Jimmy his medication, and the singer again realizes that he cannot always have what he wants. Still, he insists that his friend Jimmy will get what he needs, the medication he requires.
Overall, the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is a nuanced meditation on life's unpredictably and the human condition of not always getting what one needs or wants.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her today at the reception
The singer encountered the person he/she desired at an event
A glass of wine in her hand
The person the singer desired was holding a wine glass
I knew she would meet her connection
The singer was certain that the desired person would meet someone she planned to meet
At her feet was her footloose man
The desired person had a male companion who appeared to be carefree
You can't always get what you want
Sometimes things don't go as desired
But if you try sometime you'll find
If you put in some effort, you just might succeed
You get what you need
Instead of what you want, you can obtain what you actually need
And I went down to the demonstration
The artist participated in a political protest
To get my fair share of abuse
The artist expected to be mistreated due to their political beliefs
Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration
The artist expressed a desire to release pent-up emotions
If we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse"
If the protesters don't speak out, their anger will become uncontrollable
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
The artist visited a drugstore in a particular location
To get your prescription filled
The singer went to the drugstore on someone else's behalf
And, man, did he look pretty ill
The person for whom the prescription was intended appeared to be in poor health
You can't always get what you want, well no
The singer repeats the idea that sometimes things don't go as desired
I tell you, baby
The artist addresses someone affectionately
But if you try sometimes you just might find, uh, mm
Making an effort may lead to success or a pleasant surprise
You get what you need, oh yeah, woo!
One may receive something better than what they originally wanted
In her glass was a bleeding man
The person the singer desired was holding a glass that contained a beverage with a red hue
She was practiced at the art of deception
The desired person had a talent for deception or trickery
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands, sing it
The artist could see that the desired person had bloody hands
Oh yeah, do that
An enthusiastic response or encouragement
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 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.