The song, released in 1968, was seen as continuing the Stone's return to their earthy blues and rock & roll based roots after the psychedelic experimentation of Their Satanic Majesties Request.
68 Street Fighting Man
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of marching charging feet, boy
'Cause summer's here and the time is right
For fighting in the street, boy
Well now, what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock n' roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London town
Hey think the time is right
For a palace revolution
But where I live the game
To play is compromise solution
Well now, what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock n' roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London town
There's just no place for a street fighting man, no. Get down.
Hey so my name is called Disturbance
I'll shout and scream
I'll kill the king, I'll rail at all his servants
Well, what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock n' roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London town
There's just no place for a street fighting man, no
Get down
The Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man” is a classic rock song that paints a picture of social unrest, revolution, and frustration. The lyrics start with the sound of marching feet as a sign of impending conflict, and the line “summer’s here and the time is right for fighting in the street, boy” sets the scene for a heated protest. The poor boy, who is the singer of the song, is frustrated with the status quo and feels helpless to change it. He takes refuge in rock music, as he believes that his only platform is to sing for a rock and roll band. The reference to “sleepy London town” suggests that the man is from a small town, and he feels that there is no place for a street fighting man like him in London.
The song's chorus suggests the man's frustration with the current political climate and his desire for a revolution. He thinks it's time for a "palace revolution," but he lives in a place where "compromise solution" is the norm. The song's lyrics reference the singer's alter ego, "Disturbance," who wants to take down the king and everyone who serves him. The lyrics paint a vivid image of social unrest and frustration with the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
Ev'rywhere I hear the sound
The sound of marching feet is ringing throughout the city
Of marching charging feet, boy
People are marching forward with determination and force
'Cause summer's here and the time is right
Summer is a time when tensions rise and fighting occurs
For fighting in the street, boy
The streets are becoming a battleground for those seeking change
Well now, what can a poor boy do
The singer feels powerless to make a difference
Except to sing for a rock n' roll band?
So he uses music as his voice to express his frustrations and hopes
'Cause in sleepy London town
The state of the city is stagnant and dull
There's just no place for a street fighting man, no
There's no outlet for those who want to see change happen
Hey think the time is right
There's a sense of urgency among those who want revolution
For a palace revolution
To overthrow those in power and bring about change
But where I live the game
In his personal life, there's only room for compromise
To play is compromise solution
He must find a way to reconcile his desire for change with the reality of his circumstances
Hey so my name is called Disturbance
The singer takes on a persona of chaos and rebellion
I'll shout and scream
He'll use his voice to make his message heard
I'll kill the king, I'll rail at all his servants
He's willing to go to extremes to effect change
Get down
It's time to take action and fight for what you believe in
Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gewishworm4724
"Hell yeah, Street fightin' man G7"
"You picked G8"
"If you like piña coladas"
@gregorylevine1850
Ha!!
@Gr33nbayfreak187
No it's G SEEEVVVVAAAAAANN!!! 😂😂😂
@handaman112
I was looking for this comment XD
@240devil1
“Hey, how come you get a pool cue?”
@hatman3636
"Note to self: Learn to fight."
@jonathankoerth9905
RIP Charlie Watts. Great drumming on this epic song.
@moongloomable
Playing on a practice drumset on this song I believe recorded on an early tape deck. R.I.P
@zackkotzev5475
R.I.P. Charly, you gave us so much, thank you!
@foto21
Apparently on a table top toy kit, though it sounds like there are real toms overdubbed also. It has such a unique sound, which makes this most political of Stones songs hit harder. Keith is a fricking genius on that guitar, even though it's so simple.