I Can't Be Satisfied
Rolling Stones - The Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I'm going away to live
Won't be back no more
Going back down south, child
Lord don't you worry ma

Woman I'm trouble
Trouble and all worried mind
Well I just can't be satisfied

Just can't keep on crying

Well I feel like snapping
Pistol in your face
Going to let some graveyard
Lord be your resting place

Woman I'm trouble
Trouble and all worried mind
Yeah I just can't be satisfied
Just can't keep on crying
Yeah

Yeah I'm all in my sleep
Hear my doorbell ring
Looking for my baby
Lord seen a doggone thing

Woman I'm trouble
Trouble and all worried mind
Yeah I just can't be satisfied
Just can't keep on crying

Yeah I know my little old babe
She gonna jump and shout
That old train be late man
Lord I come walkin' out

Woman I'm trouble
Trouble and all worried mind
Yeah I just can't be satisfied

Just can't keep on crying
Well

Overall Meaning

The song "I Can't Be Satisfied" by the Rolling Stones is a testament to the struggles of a restless individual who is constantly searching for something more. The singer speaks of leaving and not returning, heading back down south, and in doing so, asks his woman not to worry about him. He expresses his troubled state of mind and the fact that he simply cannot be satisfied. The singer exhibits an unstable nature and a penchant for violence, claiming that he feels like snapping and putting a pistol in someone's face. Despite this, he seems to have an understanding of his flawed nature and seems to be looking for something to fill the void he feels inside.

The song is a portrayal of the human condition, showcasing the internal struggles that many people face in their everyday lives. The singer's desire to constantly search for something better is relatable to many, as is his recognition of his own flaws. The song's bluesy sound conveys a sense of melancholy that is consistent with the song's theme, adding a layer of emotion to an already powerful message.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm going away to live
I am leaving and will not be returning.

Won't be back no more
I am leaving for good, never to return.

Going back down south, child
I am returning back South to where I come from.

Lord don't you worry ma
Please do not worry, everything will be fine.

Woman I'm trouble
I am a man who causes trouble.

Trouble and all worried mind
I am constantly worried and troubled.

Well I just can't be satisfied
I am always restless and cannot find satisfaction.

Just can't keep on crying
I am tired of crying and feeling emotional pain.

Well I feel like snapping
I feel like losing my temper and being violent.

Pistol in your face
I am threatening to use a gun against someone.

Going to let some graveyard
I am going to kill someone and bury them in a graveyard.

Lord be your resting place
The person I kill will be buried and left to rest in peace.

Yeah I'm all in my sleep
I cannot sleep properly due to my worries and troubles.

Hear my doorbell ring
I am imagining or dreaming about someone coming to my door.

Looking for my baby
I am searching for my lover.

Lord seen a doggone thing
I cannot find my lover anywhere.

Yeah I know my little old babe
I know my lover very well.

She gonna jump and shout
She will be very happy when she sees me.

That old train be late man
The train I am waiting for is delayed.

Lord I come walkin' out
I will finally arrive and walk out of the train station.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Muddy Waters, McKinley Morganfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@fidel6564

2y↑1

Well I feel like snapping
Pistol in your face
Going to let some graveyard
Lord be your resting place

Woman I'm trouble
Trouble and all worried mind
Yeah i just can't be satisfied
Just can't keep on crying
Yeah

Yeah I'm all in my sleep
Hear my doorbell ring
Looking for my baby
Lord seen a doggone thing

Woman I'm trouble
Trouble and all worried mind
Yeah I just can't be satisfied
Just can't keep on crying
Well

All comments from YouTube:

@kcordes3

3y↑19

One of my favorite Stones clips of all time. RIP Charlie, you were the best!

@rkl17

11y↑22

Unreal..... Mick Jagger is so much more talented than most people know. He also plays a mean harp (harmonica for non-musicians) and keys. The new song "DOOM & GLOOM" is all Jagger, including the guitar. The man is a legend.

@perrycacchillo3765

Yep
Brian Jones taught him how to play the harmonica.

@darrenholmes4213

26w↑1

@@perrycacchillo3765not true

@cindytroxler2838

3y↑17

RIP 🙏 🕊 Charlie Watts, what a truly sad loss! We will miss you!

@tonysoulmanok

9y↑55

I love the fact that they can still have fun and jam like the very first day

@onlyjoetee

Tony Soulman thats what musicians do,its no surprise

@tonysoulmanok

9y↑5

onlyjoetee I'm a musician myself and I do things like this everyday. I mean jamming. Only that watching them doing it, it's just magic

@tonysoulmanok

9y↑7

onlyjoetee just watching Charlie's face makes my day

@tonysoulmanok

9y↑4

onlyjoetee amd Mick playing slide guitar too!

@onlyjoetee

9y↑1

Jagger is a musician,which means he plays a bit of guitar a bit of piano a bit of drums a bit of harmonica etc etc its no surprise at all,in rehearsals during breaks musicians often swap instruments,the guitarist goes on drums the singer picks up the bass etc its normal its what we do..

7 More Replies...

@WatchYourAttitude

12y↑16

Fascinating to see the way they work together. Love the Stones.

@4hiphopmusic4

11y↑6

This is so damn awesome! I love it, god bless THE ROLLING STONES!

@serendavies7375

2y↑4

I can't wait to see them performing live next week!

@aparecidoferreiradasilva3278

2y↑3

Stones é tudo de bom ! Saudades Charlie!

@andzwe

8y↑44

Charlie usually may not speak that much, but when he does it's often spot on and honest, like his definition of covers in this clip: "They can be good in being different."

@fm6419

4y↑35

Mick "Something like that..." Charlie just grins, puts his paper aside and launches into it. Love it

@nickthorp6361

2y↑3

Exactly. Faultless drumming but yet not dull. Amazing.

@meherclermehercle1698

4y↑4

A great blues band! I love them!

@juanespinosa8064

4y↑7

This is such an awsome video, Jagger working that slide, i did not know he could play guitar, what a pleasant surprise, and i like the base riff. The song sounded even better once the bass started in. Rock on Rolling Stones !

@mdteletom1288

38w

I thought it took off when the piano kicked in about halfway through.

@juanespinosa8064

38w

@mdteletom1288 yes,that too

@shayne2556

1y↑2

And just like that… it comes together, pure magic

@superstardestroyer92

12y↑6

I've always said that you get the real rolling stones from live shows 1969-1973, bootlegs and rehearsals, just like this one !

@michelmichel9763

3y↑2

C'est du grand Mick, simple et longanimité, on en redemande.

@cannephillips

10y↑4

I love it! What made me love the Stones in the first place, many moons ago ~

@MaxwellSmart0071

12y↑8

This one is too good to be true, a beautiful version of the Waters´ classical song, even with Micks´ oak barrel aged voice.

@MD-rd7bn

https://youtu.be/B0k10f8fPMw

@jessewolf6806

2y↑1

Well Muddy’s voice sounded even more “aged”.

@clivemetcalfe2304

29w

It's great to see that look of delight on Charlie's face as they play this blast from the past. R.I.P. Charlie.

@peterhendriks1602

6y↑5

This is why they are still together. They are still having a great time doing an old blues song.

@shadowestreetshuffle

3y↑3

This is the band I love!!

@mikebarooshian7255

@Aftermath I wish Bill Wyman never left if Wyman was there it whould of sounded way way better bill was the magic of the stones sound no Wyman no stones the stones should of retired right after Steel Wheels 30 years ago

@DjordyAFCA

12y↑2

Love it

@jameschant2740

6y↑8

Can't get enough of that !

@jamesross8842

5y↑3

A great blues jam from the Stone's

@1973wildcatman

7y↑15

I gota say Mick does it justice he's got that low register and can pull it off. Obviously NOBODY can do Muddy Waters like Muddy

@johnfranklin1808

5y↑5

Pretty good on the slide considering he's not a full time guitarist.

@OMGWTFLOLSMH

3y↑1

He's surprisingly good on piano too.

@joejones9520

@John Franklin a beginner on first day could play proficient slide, not a hard thing to do.

@key2highway

Awesome!

@hernanbenitez4818

5y↑2

Los stones son eternos igual qe su musica nunca mas va a existir otra iguall

@57levity

11y

Surprisingly good slide guitar by Mick. (Surprised that Ronnie didn't tackle that)

@franktheo2055

6y↑2

I always loved The Rolling Stones 1964 version of the Great Muddy Waters Can't Be Satisfied classic, when ever I hear this song I can't help tapping my foot to that strutting gut bucket beat that the early 1960's Stones were known for. M. Jagger resurrected Brian Jones slide guitar & spirit on this nicely recreated live cut.. Very Tastefully Done !!!!!!!!

@sakuralady13

12y↑1

Wow, como los admiro *____*

@rocknpiero

11y↑1

Oh my god! I didn't know this one before but now, I think it was really shame because it's really very good!!!

@luisgalvan8809

3y↑1

Un timbre parecido al de Robert Johnson 👌🤔😍

@msglimmertwin52

10y↑14

a group of badasses. love 'em.

@robbinrussell9674

msglimmertwin52 no it's 43 and 57 4 + 3 + 5 + 7 know what's now but frustration 7 + 5 + 12 1 + 2 it was three now tell me which three 7:35 are 573 or 357

@GFabio2011

8y↑5

FANTASTIC !

@manuelgoncalves912

6y↑1

Qual ouvi-los, quero e vê-los!.isso é que é muito bacano, só falta o money

@MortenAndreassen

10y↑17

I didn`know Mick was this good on guitar..Wow!..

@robbinrussell9674

6y↑3

where you been,¿???¿?¿??¿😂😭😃

@scottmclaughlin5221

6y↑4

Morten: Slide guitar 101- any beginner can play what Jagger was playing....Look to Brian Jones' performance on Stones version -1964. Jagger's vibrato is way too wide and inconsistant.

@fm6419

@scott mclaughlin I doubt he spends hours practising Slide

@scottmclaughlin5221

4y↑1

@Fiona McLennan If he isn't going to practice "it" enough to play competently then he doesn't have the artistic right to play it in public-in front of people he charges lots of money.

@jorrrrdynnnn

4y↑5

@scott mclaughlin you don't have the "artistic right" to tell someone else what they can and can't do in their own band. It's not Mick's fault that people like him better than you, scotty. Maybe if you weren't such a damn weirdo you'd have friends to play with, too

5 More Replies...

@Phantom2088

10y↑7

I would kill for Mick to play more often.

@serenhafwilliams-davies5915

RIP, Charlie Watts you were our darling ❤

@jacksonfraley3429

Awesome 🤘🤘

@chopperking1122

9y↑34

Charlie seems very impressed with Micks slide playing ! [ as I am ]

@puplover7991

9y↑4

chopperking1122 Saw that...very sweet:)

@tonysoulmanok

9y↑2

chopperking1122 me too

@JohnDoe-fm7mf

Because it remeber him their model who inspirate their name : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CakqPuwFAIc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnsw4sySaxw

@stonalove2893

8y↑11

La voz de Jagger se pone cada vez más deliciosa!
[ARGENTINA AMA A LOS STONES]

@tonysoulmanok

6y↑1

Si papá! No lo dudes!

@alerocks5185

6y↑2

Siempre vuelven al blues. es como volver al primer amor.

@omegajrz1269

2y↑2

Yo soy Uruguayo y me encantan los Stones.

@stonalove2893

2y↑1

@OmegaJRZ Bien por vos! Tenes que venir a verlos a Argentina... es un hermoso descontrol pasional y a ellos le encanta 💚🇦🇷

@omegajrz1269

@Stona Love Mi viejo los fue a ver cuando vinieron a Uruguay. Pero en Uruguay no hay mucha onda en los conciertos. Es como si no los conocieran o no les gustara.

@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427

6y↑10

I'd love to be that guy that gets to just calmly walk around them, while they're doing this!

@seththomson4025

Mick, so underrated.

@Cerodocearg

3y↑5

Love you Charlie!! You will be missed! Love from Argentina. I'm crying rigth now

@omegajrz1269

2y↑1

Yo soy uruguayo y me encantan.

@mdteletom1288

One of these days, this band will play a venue like this and it will be full of people who paid to see them perform.

@rubenkantzini

12y

That is TALENT baby !

@mauricioochoa4179

7y↑24

I wonder if this was supposed to be a little tribute to Brian. His slide on this back in 1964 was killer

@JohnDoe-fm7mf

4y↑3

No it's a tribute for Muddy Watters the original electric slide guitar king, the guy who inspirate Rolling Stones even in the name and the song Can't get no satisfaction...

@FortyNineHudson

3y↑2

@John Doe Muddy was good, but Bukka White was the original King of the Slide (at least until Elmore James came along).

@joemorris143

3y↑1

No let Brian go.

@mauricioochoa4179

3y↑1

@Joe Morris Give me a break. So, he should be forgotten?

@SuperMikado282

@Mauricio Ochoa Well said Sir

1 More Replies...

@Wildberryjamband

8y↑39

interesting to see Mick do some slide. he's no player but its great that hes getting in there and playing a little something. Brian was super on this one, first major group to use slide and bring this song and Rooster to the big leagues , and it was years before Duane and srv came along ! Brian lives forever !

@johnnyluddite

7y↑5

The Muddy Waters Blues Band was not a major group! ,Did not know that!

@Wildberryjamband

7y↑7

Pete Grant
not major on the charts. Most 60's bands didn't discover blues until being led there by the Stones (Floyd, Dead, CCR). More people heard Rolling Stones Little Red Rooster in 1964 than had ever heard Muddy or Johson or Wolf or anyone. This was the first blues number one hit of the classic 60's rock and roll era.

@smarieggertsson9118

7y↑13

Mick plays a mean slide on Back of My Hand. I can't find the interview but I remember Keith saying that Mick had been messing around with an electric slide guitar and that his playing was pretty uncontrolled and messy. But when he heard Mick coming up with the slide on that song he thought "my god, he's finally got it." Keith does seem a little less impressed with him on this video though, probably wouldn't mind being able to play this song with Brian one more time

@chasbodaniels1744

5y↑1

It’s surprisingly difficult to play a clean and controlled slide guitar (for me at least). I’ve dabbled over the years, and just recently caught the bug once more. Always fun (and frustrating) to have a new challenge.

@TaxPayingContributor

3y↑1

@Smári Eggertsson so good to hear that story repeated. Keep history bringing these guys back around

3 More Replies...

@ulissesrocha3365

30w

Fantastic.

@hundredcaws

5y↑1

wow Mick can play guitar!

@arthurgordon6072

Just to be clear. The Stones recorded this song back in '64 and was released on their second UK album.

@maximpopov8651

Brilliant British Blues Rock Band 💙

@emiliaswitalska7697

Awersome❤️❤️❤️ I love Mick ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@AbeniSisterSnake

11y↑2

Blast of Beautiful Music.

@andys9337

I do like their cover of some blues...!!!

@ElioTTDBRS

11y

All ready, it s rare to HEAR Jagger playing guitar (he hasn t any sound on 'Miss You'), but with a bottleneck !

@maximpopov8651

Blues is the healer 💙💙💙

@LloydMajor

3y↑2

"Rolling Stones" my favorite rock group, doing Muddy Waters!

@Ritmocomunica

11y

very nice !!! bluesrockandrolling

@JettaJimm

Charlie Watts Rest in Heavenly Peace. 😥🙏❤🎼🥁 #RIP

@connorfreeman1990

They really need Brian here. Check out the way this came out on The Rolling Stones No.2

@thestones2789

Just found this today fn awesome they rule, this is their, ooooooooold stuff and its fresh cool and great

@dannegus2988

I love that raw stuff and the bit of a story with it too. Thanks for sharing.

@ParadoxapocalypSatan

7y↑24

Brian Jones and Bill Wyman knew how to play this song.

@BlueLou974

6y↑2

At least! Someone with ears & memories!

@bookmakers

6y↑3

3 guys playing guitar, yet , they can't get anywhere close to Brian's sound

@marty6779

5y↑2

@bookmakers
They're not trying to.

@Viajealduende

5y↑1

@bookmakers Piss off! Brian wasn't all that, he couldn't get close to Muddy Waters and he's been gone a long time. The Rolling Stones are still rolling. Let Brian RIP.

@bookmakers4189

5y↑1

@Josh S. Well, it´s just my way of paying a little tribute to Brian. the Stones playing ‘I can't get satisfied' live on BBC (1964), sound amazing with him on slide. I still think his slide guitar sound is unique. Brian being gone a long time is a good point, but so are Hendrix and a lot of people, and people still talk about them. If I were an artist and gone, I would like my fans to talk about my work. But, it's just my point of view. peace

6 More Replies...

@MrMelodynelson

-Got to love when Mick use his guitar; (the "Silvertone 1457 -Redburst")....should hear him played "Little Red Rooster"with it....but the thing is, when he do it...he tottaly eclipsed Ronnie!!!

@hughbo52

Very nice mix...

@Cerodocearg

10y↑6

cool jam!

@gabevachon326

Mick can sing

@StephanieSoressi

The Rolling Stones were a pretty good Muddy Waters cover band. Even took their name from one of his songs.

@eliancap2575

Rest in peace, Charlie

@michaelstucker6739

This tune goes back to US GI influence after WWII. Muddy Waters "Just Can't Be Satisfied" Similar to "No Satisfaction" "think it was an influence? Anyway...... Jagger's work on the open "G" guitar is impeccable! Jam on Mickster!

@pauluspetrus218

4y↑1

mick on guitar, respect

@FullSpectrumDomino

5y↑1

Covers "can be good at being different". Well said Charlie.

@chasbodaniels1744

Haha, dear old Charlie has never been any too articulate. Gotta love the guy though.

@bonniekeating9565

39w

I wish the Stones would stay in the Blues mode for a bit. It fits their age so well now. Should tour small venues in this mode.

@huascar66

11y↑1

Actually, Keith gives the impression he doesn't give a fuck when he really does which is why he's awesome.

@franktaconelli9095

very cool to see & hear Mick play slide guitar but one must really check out the original Stones version from 1964 featuring Brian Jones on slide possibly the first high profile white musician to play bottleneck guitar

@TheVenerozo

Thanks Charlie, RIP ❤️

@bernarducs

11y↑1

the micks effort on slide guitar is worthy

@EbenezarGold

10y↑16

magic, baby, magic.

@smurfunkown6774

Exactly 💯 some of us Got it, & some Don't, Im DragonBornOfTheSun444

@maxbeillou

I love you forever Charlie!

@fidel6564

2y↑1

@RollingOrmond

11y↑10

An english band paying homage to their blues idols, not just stealing their music. Hint, hint, Zep.

@chrismarple

This is such a stupid comment zeppelin didn’t steal anymore then any other band during their time. They definitely paid homage to the original creators and every song they did “take” they made it miles better then the original.

@4runner39

Mick playing some good slide on this !

@andrewbrennan7291

Still enjoying this in 2021.

@MarkusGitarre

12y↑1

second one! the stones still play blue from 60ts! still a great blues Band

@SeaBassVamp

11y

Realllyy Good Ballad .

@krashton

Never seen Mick play! Damn!

@MrPicklepick

12y

Sure is different.Sort of a calm, cool, and collective. I'd say it has a Rock Rolling, Twang to it.

@b14blah

12y

Badass.

@maximpopov8651

4y↑1

Peace Love and the Blues 💙

@larryc3860

luv Mick's vintage Silvertone ( or clone ) slide guitar

@onjofilms

12y

I'd call that Rock 'n Blues.

@jimsto

48w

Hey, that sure looks like my Silvertone he's playing. Oh, it's red. Does Mick have the case with the built-in amp for it? Sounds great.

@maximpopov8651

Muddy Waters masterpiece 💙💙💙

@malcolmherbert5127

5y↑1

Well, Keith may have " taken Ry Cooder for all he was worth " but I've got to say that Mick didn't learn much at the feet of the master. Just look at that insane use of the vibrato and then compare it to Ry on something like Things are going to work out fine!!!

@anatolyFedotov

Bravo

@PimpYourTrash

Thank you so much for sharing such a vid. More! More! More!

@gerhardstauch2102

that's why I love the Stones...so cute

@Hallo-Hallo

3y↑2

Charlie! 👍

@chasbodaniels1744

5y↑4

I’m laughing each time Mick tries to remember the first words to another verse, but he’s stumped so he repeats the same one “Feel like snapping .... “