Ronnie was raised in a musical family. His older brothers, Art and Ted, were active in the skiffle & traditional jazz scenes.
Ronnie has been in The Rolling Stones since 1975. He previously was a songwriter and backing musician with Rod Stewart when both were in 1970s rock group the Faces.
Wood met Stewart when they were employed in the Jeff Beck Group in the late 1960s. Prior to that Wood had been in bands in the London mod scene: The Birds, who dissolved in 1966, and - very briefly - The Creation.
Wood is an accomplished artist (painter), he collaborated on numerous all-star musical projects and recorded several solo studio and live albums. His autobiography, entitled Ronnie, was published in 2007.
As a solo recording artist Ronnie Wood is a particularly tricky case when it comes to Last.fm stats. On the sleeves of two of his studio solo albums from the 1970s his name is Ron Wood. However, since 1980 he has put out all of his albums as Ronnie Wood.
Mean Old Man
Ron Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I look like a mean old man that's what I am
If I look like a mean old man
Who'll duke you any way he can
To break your heart and kiss your hand
That's what I am
If I look like a good old friend that's what I am
If I look like a good old friend
Who's good at bending with the wind
To be your friend right to the end
That's what I am
And if I look like a voodoo doll that's what I am
If I look like a voodoo doll that's what I am
If I look like a voodoo doll
Who takes his licking standing tall
Who'd rather bite you back than crawl
That's what I am
If I look like your uncle bob that's what I am
If I look like your uncle bob that's what I am
If I look like your uncle bob
Who likes to slap you on the back and rob you
While he still can do the job
That's what I am
If I look like a voodoo doll that's what I am
If I look like a voodoo doll that's what I am
If I look like a voodoo doll
Who takes his licking standing tall
Who'd rather bite you back than crawl
That's what I am
That's what I am
That's what you are!
Ron Wood's song, "Mean Old Man" portrays the singer as being unapologetically himself. He admits to being a mean old man and that's what he is regardless of how he may look to others. The song's message emphasizes self-acceptance and the notion that we should be who we are and not pretend to be something we are not.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is versatile in his personality and can be both a "mean old man" and a "good old friend" depending on the context. He can also be described as tenacious, as illustrated by the voodoo doll metaphor, which emphasizes his resilience and refusal to back down. The lyrics are thought-provoking as they question the idea of first impressions and appearances. The song challenges listeners to look beyond the surface and not judge someone based on how they look but rather on who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
If I look like a mean old man that's what I am
I am who I appear to be, a mean and rough old man
Who'll duke you any way he can
I am ready to fight in any way possible to get what I want
To break your heart and kiss your hand
I may appear gentle and kind, but I am capable of hurting you and taking advantage of your kindness
If I look like a good old friend that's what I am
I am your trusted friend whom you can rely on
Who's good at bending with the wind
I am flexible and can adjust myself to any situation
To be your friend right to the end
I will remain your friend till the very end
If I look like a voodoo doll that's what I am
I may seem like a cursed object but that is who I truly am
Who takes his licking standing tall
I can take a beating but I won't give up easily
Who'd rather bite you back than crawl
I am always ready to retaliate and fight back
If I look like your uncle bob that's what I am
I am like your Uncle Bob, affectionate on the surface but cunning too
Who likes to slap you on the back and rob you
I will betray your trust and exploit you for my own benefit
While he still can do the job
I will take advantage of you while I still have the chance
That's what I am
I am not pretending to be anything other than what I truly am
That's what you are!
Similarly, you are what you appear to be, and I won't pretend to be fooled by your facade
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jean-christophedibatista1893
No jerry lee said: i don t say i m the king i said i m the best..
But i thing that a rocker must be singer and musician
And elvis is only a singer who paid a few cents for the rights of songs from otis blackwell and made his golden hits in 56 .
Elvis never did a solo or introduction whith a guitar..
And it is funny to see him playing piano.
There are 2 kings in rockn roll piano
Jerry lee lewis and little richard
And a
One king in rock n roll guitar chuck berry.
When you are musician or dancing man or woman, it s easy to play or to dance a song of elvis.
It is not the same to play or yo dance rock n songs of jerry lee ,little richard or chuck berry...
Do you play guitar or piano?
Are you dancing rock roll?
@jean-christophedibatista1893
Elvis good voice but only a singer
He never did solo or introduction with a guitar(he only knew 3 chords..) and see him playing piano and you will laugh...
He had a beautiful face...
And paid a few cents for the rights of otis blackwell songs...
Jerry lee sings songs of blackwell but he s able to plays these songs..
It is not the case of elvis..
With a guitar elvis is only able to sing a slow song. He needs his guitarist or piano to have rythm..
Jeery lee,little richard or chuck berry don t need other people for rythm..
All of the people who like to play or dance rock nroll know that it is more difficult to dance or to play a song of jerry lee, little richard ,chuck berry,than one of elvis.
@ConexionConstante
ES EL MEJOR VIDEO QUE EN MIS 31 AÑOS HE VISTO SOBRE JERRY LEE LEWIS !!!! "MEAN OLD MAN" OTRO ÉXITO DE UN VIEJO ROCKERO!!!
@williamschutz4982
Jerry and Mick doing "dead flowers" was one of the best recorded songs ever!!!
@Buelligan88
This guy is more rock and roll than any cat out there.
@kencrowe2809
Jerry lee Lewis another Top of the Heap standout!!!!
@vinnlespalatrio7113
I was one of jerry Lee’s bodyguards at the first viva Las Vegas show he did. wow what a great guy!! God bless him for still busting it out like he was in his 20s still he viva again this year and killed it!!! Long life and much love sir.!!!
@msattler111
Not too many of us ol' rockers left anymore.
Long live the king.
@sacredgeometry2344
Brilliant man and brilliant piano playing amazing , he is a strong person with a good sense of humor
@jimrees1778
Jerry has always been my hero. I copied his piano style, and got a chance to see him live in Cincinnati Ohio around 15 or so years ago. Wow, what a show he put on!!! Just wish I could have shaken his hand.
@Gioagla
"it s not the money ...it s the love of music ...! " did you heard that ?? epic phrase man !! he did everything with passion and love for the music .... money doesn t define your person or tallent , id s a God s gift ....and he got it !!
@lindavarnadore2686
Rudolf Vizi