Recorded in November and December 1972, "Angie" was written primarily by Keith Richards. The song is an acoustic guitar driven ballad which tells of the end of a romance. The song is noted for its poignant lyrics concerning lost love and the grieving involved. Singer Mick Jagger gives a wrenching performance for the recording, while Stones-recording regular Nicky Hopkins plays the song's distinctive piano chords. The strings on the piece (as well as "Winter") were arranged by Nicky Harrison.
Released as a single in August 1973, "Angie" went straight to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached number five on the UK singles chart.
Questions about the song's origins have never ceased. Despite wide-ranging rumors that "Angie" was written by Jagger about a relationship he had with David Bowie's wife Angela, Jagger denies this. Richards claims to have come up with the title and chord sequence a year before production on the album began. In the liner notes to the compilation disc Jump Back, Richards says, "I'd recently had my daughter born, whose name was Angela, and the name was starting to ring around the house. 'Angie' just fitted."
The Rolling Stones have frequently performed the song in concert; it was included in set lists on their 1973, 1975 and 1976 tours, and on every tour since their 1982 European tour. Concert renditions have been released on the albums Stripped and Live Licks.
Two music videos were shot to promote the song.
In 2005 the German party CDU used the song for its election campaign for Angela Merkel; the Rolling Stones had not given Merkel permission to use the song.
Angie
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When will those clouds all disappear?
Angie, Angie
Where will it lead us from here?
With no lovin' in our souls
And no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
Angie, Angie
Angie, you're beautiful, yeah
But ain't it time we said goodbye?
Angie, I still love you
Remember all those nights we cried?
All the dreams were held so close
Seemed to all go up in smoke
Let me whisper in your ear
Angie, Angie
Where will it lead us from here
Oh, Angie, don't you weep
Oh, your kisses still taste sweet
I hate that sadness in your eyes
But Angie, Angie
Ain't it time we said goodbye? Yeah
With no lovin' in our souls
And no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
Angie, I still love you, baby
Everywhere I look, I see your eyes
There ain't a woman that comes close to you
Come on, baby, dry your eyes
Angie, Angie
Ain't it good to be alive?
Angie, Angie
They can't say we never tried
The Rolling Stones' song "Angie" is a ballad about a lost love and the longing to move on. The lyrics speak to the difficulty of trying to make a relationship work when there is no love and no money to sustain it, making it impossible to achieve satisfaction. The song begins with the singer addressing Angie, asking when the clouds will disappear and where their relationship will lead them. The couple has no love in their souls and no money in their pockets, making it hard for them to stay together. Despite this, the singer admits that they both have tried.
The chorus reveals the singer’s struggle with moving on. He tells Angie that she’s beautiful and that he still loves her. He remembers all the nights they cried and the dreams that went up in smoke. However, he also recognizes that it’s time to say goodbye. The final verse emphasizes the emptiness the couple feels, with no love in their souls and no money in their pockets. The singer asserts his love for Angie, and while he sees her everywhere, he knows that it’s up to them to decide where their relationship will lead.
Line by Line Meaning
Angie, Angie
The singer calls out to Angie twice, perhaps trying to grab her attention.
When will those clouds all disappear?
The singer wonders when their problems and issues will finally clear up.
Where will it lead us from here?
The singer ponders what the future holds for them and Angie.
With no lovin' in our souls
And no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
The artist admits that despite having no emotional or financial fulfillment, they can't deny their desires and needs.
Angie, you're beautiful, yeah
But ain't it time we said goodbye?
The artist acknowledges Angie's beauty but questions whether it's time to end their relationship.
Angie, I still love you
Remember all those nights we cried?
The singer still has feelings for Angie and asks her to remember the emotional moments they shared together.
All the dreams were held so close
Seemed to all go up in smoke
Let me whisper in your ear
The singer laments the loss of their shared dreams and desires, but still wants to communicate with Angie privately.
Oh, Angie, don't you weep
Oh, your kisses still taste sweet
I hate that sadness in your eyes
The artist comforts Angie and reminds her of the sweetness of their past memories, while expressing their distaste for her sadness.
But Angie, Angie
Ain't it time we said goodbye? Yeah
The artist restates their previous question, expressing the need for closure in their relationship.
Everywhere I look, I see your eyes
There ain't a woman that comes close to you
Come on, baby, dry your eyes
The artist is still haunted by memories of Angie, believing that no other woman could compare to her, and tries to console her again.
Angie, Angie
Ain't it good to be alive?
Angie, Angie
They can't say we never tried
The singer acknowledges the value of life, regardless of their relationship status, and confirms that they both gave it their best effort.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lpguimaraes87
Angie, Angie
When will those clouds all disappear?
Angie, Angie
Where will it lead us from here?
With no lovin' in our souls
And no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
Angie, Angie
You can't say we never tried
Angie, you're beautiful, yeah
But ain't it time we said goodbye?
Angie, I still love you
Remember all those nights we cried?
All the dreams were held so close
Seemed to all go up in smoke
Let me whisper in your ear
Angie, Angie
Where will it lead us from here
Oh, Angie, don't you weep
Oh, your kisses still taste sweet
I hate that sadness in your eyes
But Angie, Angie
Ain't it time we said goodbye? Yeah
With no lovin' in our souls
And no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
Angie, I still love you, baby
Everywhere I look, I see your eyes
There ain't a woman that comes close to you
Come on, baby, dry your eyes
Angie, Angie
Ain't it good to be alive?
Angie, Angie
They can't say we never tried
@cindyimhoff2359
Who's still listening to the classic in 2024??❤️✌️
@brbapappa
Came here for the line: 'Everywhere I look, I see your eyes.'
@user-vn8nd7qm5z
Eu
@mikedm1970
I 😅
@normann3343
Me from France !! 🇫🇷 A TIMELESS MASTERPIECE TO LISTEN WITHOUT MODÉRATION !! 😊
@briankidder2262
Me
@JeffersonLane762
Imagine living in a time where you looked forward to new music from supremely talented musicians- and it delivered or even exceeded your expectations, giving you a musical experience unlike anything you've heard before.
@user-vr1dx6cx2o
Ain't it so @ JeffersonLane 762.
The Stones , Pink Floyd , Skynyrd , Santana and so many more.
@Occident.
Well said. Aye this was a Masterpiece. I was born in 1960. My older sisters were Stones fans. I remember them playing the records from aged 5. I still love the Stones.
@Samantha_C1
These were my Dads days! I caught the tail end being born 70s, feel for this generation.. it’s divisional and depressional 😢