Chantilly Lace
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hello baby, yeah, this is the Big Bopper speaking
Oh you sweet thing
Do I what?
Will I what?
Oh baby, you know what I like

Chantilly lace and a pretty face
And a pony tail hanging down
That wiggle in the walk and giggle in the talk
Makes the world go round
There ain't nothing in the world like a big eyed girl
That makes me act so funny, make me spend my money
Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Like a girl, oh baby that's what I like

What's that baby?
But, but, but, oh honey
But, oh baby you know what I like

Chantilly lace and a pretty face
And a pony tail hanging down
That wiggle in the walk and giggle in the talk
Makes the world go round
There ain't nothing in the world like a big eyed girl
That makes me act so funny, make me spend my money
Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Like a girl, oh baby that's what I like

What's that honey?
Pick you up at eight and don't be late?
But baby I ain't got no money honey
Oh alright baby, you know what I like

Chantilly lace and a pretty face
And a pony tail hanging down
That wiggle in the walk and giggle in the talk
Makes the world go round
There ain't nothing in the world like a big eyed girl
That makes me act so funny, make me spend my money




Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Like a girl, oh baby that's what I like

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones' song "Chantilly Lace" is an ode to the beauty of women, specifically those with "big eyes," "a pretty face," and a "wiggle in the walk and giggle in the talk." The main character of the song, the Big Bopper, is completely taken with these types of women and is willing to spend all his money on them. He speaks to a woman on the phone, telling her how much he enjoys her looks and flirts with her, promising to pick her up later that night.


The song celebrates the allure and charm of a certain type of woman, but it also speaks to larger cultural themes of desire and consumption. The Big Bopper's willingness to spend money on a beautiful woman is emblematic of the consumerist ethos of the time. The repetition of the phrase "you know what I like" speaks to the idea that consumer culture operates by shaping people's desires and preferences, rather than simply responding to pre-existing needs.


Overall, "Chantilly Lace" is a fun, upbeat song that captures the playful spirit of rock and roll in the 1950s. It celebrates the beauty and allure of women in a way that is both flattering and somewhat tongue-in-cheek.


Line by Line Meaning

Hello baby, yeah, this is the Big Bopper speaking
Introducing himself as the Big Bopper over the phone to the person he is talking to


Oh you sweet thing
Complimenting the person he is talking to


Do I what?
Asking the person what they want from him


Will I what?
Asking the person if he can do what they want him to do


Oh baby, you know what I like
Agreeing to fulfill the person's request


Chantilly lace and a pretty face
Referring to his preferred physical characteristics in a woman


And a pony tail hanging down
Adding another physical characteristic he is attracted to in women


That wiggle in the walk and giggle in the talk
Describing how a woman's movement and mannerisms can be attractive


Makes the world go round
Suggesting that attraction to women is what makes life enjoyable


There ain't nothing in the world like a big eyed girl
Emphasizing his attraction to women with big eyes


That makes me act so funny, make me spend my money
Explaining that women can have a strong influence on his behavior and actions, including spending money on them


Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Describing how being around an attractive woman can make him feel carefree and relaxed


Like a girl, oh baby that's what I like
Affirming his attraction to women


What's that baby?
Asking the person he is talking to to repeat themselves


But, but, but, oh honey
Expressing hesitancy or concern about something the person is saying


Pick you up at eight and don't be late?
Confirming plans to meet with the person later


But baby I ain't got no money honey
Admitting that he doesn't have money to spend


Oh alright baby, you know what I like
Agreeing to still meet up with the person despite lack of funds




Contributed by Luke G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Alisson Cristovao Da Cruz

Show de bola. ...🀘🏽🀘🏽🀘🏽🎸🎸🎸

Mirna Portillo

Buen temaβ™‘β™‘

Shannon Schaerer

Fantastic version of this Song!! A fave of mine for MANY YRS! Stones did it SO WELL!! Thank You for This!! Makes Me SMILE!!

Don Hanlon

Thanks for the reply Shannon, I do get what you're saying but what I was trying to get accross was no matter how brill you remember a show to be ( and believe me it was, colourful stage, band at their absolute peak playing outta their skin, this Wembley show if was on film is probably better than Hampton or Let's Spend The Night Together as they were on home ground, atmosphere pure electric. It would bring 1982 right up to date on Blu Ray, unfortunately they didn't tape every show and I'm hoping Paris Abbatoir '76 (which definitely was taped over two nights) will get the full de luxe box set treatment in the next few months. Fingers crossed πŸ€—

Shannon Schaerer

@Don Hanlon Holy!! Not in the box set just cannot compete with having BEEN THERE!! That is only a DREAM for ME!! Totally Cool to know about! Thank You for sharing that. Just know You were THERE makes it Kinda Cool 4Me Too! Keep on Rockin!!

Don Hanlon

Aggree with you Shannon. Was at both Wembley gigs came as a brill surprise when they played it as I'd seen the great Jerry Lee Lewis sing it at the Wembley fest '81 Country Fest, my only dissapointment was it wasn't taped for DVD/Blu Ray for the Tattoo You Box set but I suppose " you can't always get what you want" Don ( Ireland)

John Orem

LOVE IT!

The Glimmer Stone

Hope someday we got the video from this tune and from the whole show!

david mellor

I’ve added a link for the full gig for you, enjoy πŸ˜‰

david mellor

This was my first stones gig and it’s definitely recorded I’ve seen it on here, I’ll try to find it for you.

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