Credited to Mick Jagger and Richards, "Coming Down Again" is largely the work of the latter, who went as far as to say, "Coming Down Again' is my song," at the time of its release. A slower ballad similar in mood to album mate "Angie", "Coming Down Again". The lyrics tell of Richards' relationship with then-girlfriend Anita Pallenberg and his taking of her from Brian Jones.
Recorded at Kingston's Dynamic Sound Studios in November and December, 1972, "Coming Down Again" is regarded as one of Richards' best lead vocal performances. Despite some popularity, Richards has never performed the song live on tour with the Rolling Stones.
Coming Down Again
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming down again, coming down again
Share your thoughts, there's nothing you can hide
She was dying to survive
I was caught, oh, taken for a ride
She was showing no surprise
Where are all my friends? Coming down again
Coming down again, coming down again
On the ground again, coming down again
Slipped my tongue in someone else's pie
Tasting better every time
He turned green and tried to make me cry
Being hungry, it ain't no crime
Coming down again, all my time's been spent
Coming down again
Coming down again (sky fall down again)
Coming down again (sky fall down again, sky fall down again)
Coming down again (sky fall down again)
Coming down again
Where are all my friends?
Coming down again, coming down again
Where are all my friends?
(Sky fall down again)
Coming down again (sky fall down again)
Coming down again (sky fall down again)
Coming down again
Coming down again
Where are all my friends
Coming down again
On the ground again
g Down Again is a song by The Rolling Stones, and the lyrics are a reflection of the band's experiences during their drug-fuelled days of the 1970s. The opening lines of the song, "Coming down again, coming down again / Coming down again, coming down again," set the tone for the theme of the track – addiction, and the unending cycle of falling and rising, being high one moment and then crashing the next.
Mick Jagger sings about the toll that drugs are taking on him, "Share your thoughts, there's nothing you can hide / She was dying to survive / I was caught, oh, taken for a ride / She was showing no surprise." He paints a picture of himself as a victim of circumstance, unable to break free from the cycle of addiction. His choices may have led him to this state, but he is willing to accept responsibility for what has happened to him.
The song also references infidelity, with Jagger singing, "Slipped my tongue in someone else's pie / Tasting better every time / She turned green and tried to make me cry / Being hungry, it ain't no crime." While Jagger doesn't seem to feel any guilt about his actions, the song highlights the decadence and excess that was a significant part of the band's lifestyle in the 1970s.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming down again, coming down again
We are experiencing a downward spiral into familiar and uncomfortable territory.
Sharing thoughts, there's nothing you can hide
We are openly exchanging our thoughts and feelings with each other, with nothing left concealed.
She was dying to survive
The woman we were involved with was struggling to keep herself alive both emotionally and physically.
I was caught, oh, taken for a ride
I was deceived and manipulated by the woman we were involved with.
She was showing no surprise
The woman we were involved with had no qualms about her manipulation tactics and was unapologetic about it.
Where are all my friends? Coming down again
We are feeling lost and alone as we fall into the depths of our spiral, and are questioning the loyalty of our friends.
On the ground again, coming down again
We are back at square one, in a familiar and low place.
Slipped my tongue in someone else's pie
We engaged in infidelity by pursuing another person's partner.
Tasting better every time
The thrill of infidelity became more and more tempting every time we engaged in it.
She turned green and tried to make me cry
The woman we were engaging in infidelity with became jealous and attempted to hurt us emotionally.
Being hungry it ain't no crime
We justify our infidelity by claiming it is a natural part of human nature to satisfy our desires.
Coming down again, all my time's been spent
We have invested all of our time and energy into our spiral, with no progress or success to show for it.
Where are all my friends?
We are still questioning the loyalty and whereabouts of our friends as we continue to spiral downwards.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Elliott
The Rolling Stones have gotten me through difficult times...I can't imagine life without their beautiful music. I'll never forget...
Michael O'Connell
I know
Daniel Gurney
Likewise. Sound tracks , to,
My journey too.
Samson Hercules
Me too. I've always said, Their energy, lyrical brilliance and pure rock you OUT, attitude has saved me, a THOUSAND times over. !!
Samson Hercules
" Share your thoughts, there's nothing you can hide " SO BEAUTIFUL
Jonathan Liss
Goats Head is definitely the most underrated Stones album. It really grows on you. I especially like Winter.
Dennis Martinovich
Someone else mentioned it that most all especially lolder Stones albums speak to you!! Not like the so called music that's out today today's music is plain nothing more nothing less( I grew up born 1964 ) during the best times that music was out first album ever was Frampton comes to life!!! Outstanding listen along with most of the Beatles albums also The Rolling Stones!!! Seen them all over the country from the Rise Bowl im Pasadena California to Miami and the Had Rock Cafe back ( my hometown N.Y.C.)at the Madison square garden Ticket lottery back in the 80-90s.I sent in about 1000 letters didn't get one voucher so girl that loved me in High school ( Cathy Mouglia) to her girlfriend that she was in love with me after I had heared she sent in 4 letters got back 4 tickets I told her friend I was also in love with her LMAO seen the show I'll never forget because it was Friday the 13th tickets and after the show me And my buddy Matthew Catone went to the Bar right next to the Garden on 8th Avenue what a show it was ( Stones in their prime)at MSG In NYC doesn't get much better then this
duur Namets
Underrated?
It one of their best albums with so many good songs
Robert Woodward
@Herbert Lüthe Was running the backstreets of Roanoke va. In mid 70s. This never came out of my 8 track for weeks at a time and especially this, which helped me through those times of desolation.
Nexus I
I think it's better than Exile.