Exile on Main Street Blues
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


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Rolling Stones
Miscellaneous
Exile On Mainstreet Blues
Exile on Mainstreet, it's a strange street to walk down
Exile on Mainstreet, it's a strange street to walk down

[All down the Line]
Mmm heard the diesel drumming all down the line
Mmm heard the wires a-humming all down the line
Oh, yeah heard the women sighing all down the line
Oh, yeah heard the children crying all down the line

All down the line we'll be watching out for trouble, yeah

[Tumbling Dice]
Women think I'm tasty
But they're always trying to waste me
And make me burn the candle right down
But baby, baby I don't need no jewels in my frown
'Cause all you women is low down gamblers
Cheating like I don't know how
But baby there's a fever in the funk house now
This low down bitchings got my poor feet a-itching
Do you know the deuce is still wild
Baby can't stay, you got to roll me
And call me the tumbling dice

[Intro]
Exile on Mainstreet, it's a strange street to walk down
Now let it loose, now come on, let it all hang down
Eh round up those people, move them out of town
Gimmie little drink from your loving cup
Now shake your hip mama, keep me all shook up
Feeling so doggone happy like a natural child
Oh help me do the boogie all down the line
Come on Virginia, let's shoot some dice
My sweet black angel, shine a light

[Shine A Light]
Saw you stretched out in room ten o nine
With a smile on your face and a tear right in your eye
Couldn't see to get a line on you, my sweet honey love
Berber, jewelry jangling down the street
making bloodshot eyes at every woman that you meet
Come out baby to get a high on you, my sweet honey love

May the good Lord shine a light on you
Make every song you sing your favorite tune
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Warm like the evening sun.
Well you're drunk in the alley baby...

[Happy]
Never kept a dollar past sunset
It always burned a hole in my pants
Never made a school mama happy,
never blew a second chance

I need a love to keep me happy,
I need a love to keep me happy
Baby baby keep me happy,
Baby keep me happy

Always took candy from strangers,
Didn't want to get me no trade
Never want to be like papa,
Working for the boss every night and day

I need a love to keep me happy,
I need a love to keep me happy
Baby baby keep me happy,
Baby baby keep me happy

[Outro]




Exile on Mainstreet, it's a strange street to walk down
Exile on Mainstreet, it's a low down dirty ground.

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones' song "Exile on Main Street Blues" is a melancholic tribute to the streets of the band's former home in Los Angeles, California. The lyrics reflect a life full of ups and downs, with the streets being a constant reminder of the struggles and pleasures of the rock and roll lifestyle. The opening lines, "Exile on Mainstreet, it's a strange street to walk down," give the impression that the street is both alluring and dangerous, providing both joy and sorrow on its path.


The song is made up of a medley of four songs, with different themes and emotions, all imbued with the Stones' signature bluesy rock sound. "All down the Line" and "Tumbling Dice" contain lyrics about the unpredictable nature of love, with sexual relationships being compared to gambling. "Shine a Light" is a tribute to a lover, with the good Lord being asked to "shine a light" on the loved one. Finally, "Happy" highlights the difficulties of maintaining a happy life in the midst of a rock star's chaotic lifestyle.


Line by Line Meaning

Exile on Mainstreet, it's a strange street to walk down
Main street feels eerie and uncomfortable to walk, like being in exile


Mmm heard the diesel drumming all down the line
The sound of the train is heard in the distance


Mmm heard the wires a-humming all down the line
The sound of electricity pulsing through the wires is heard


Oh, yeah heard the women sighing all down the line
Women's sighs of frustration and disappointment are heard


Oh, yeah heard the children crying all down the line
Children's cries of pain or sadness are heard


All down the line we'll be watching out for trouble, yeah
We need to be cautious and aware of potential danger


Women think I'm tasty
Women find me attractive


But they're always trying to waste me
Women try to take advantage of me


And make me burn the candle right down
Women exhaust me both physically and emotionally


'Cause all you women is low down gamblers
Women are unpredictable and untrustworthy


Cheating like I don't know how
Women deceive me even though I am aware of it


But baby there's a fever in the funk house now
There's an excitement or frenzy in the situation


This low down bitchings got my poor feet a-itching
The unpleasantness of the situation is causing anxiety or discomfort


Do you know the deuce is still wild
The unpredictable and risky nature of life still applies


Baby can't stay, you got to roll me
I can't stay still, I need to keep moving and experiencing life


And call me the tumbling dice
I am unpredictable and always in motion


Now let it loose, now come on, let it all hang down
Let loose and be free, let everything out


Eh round up those people, move them out of town
Get rid of the negativity and bad influences


Gimmie little drink from your loving cup
Give me some love and affection


Now shake your hip mama, keep me all shook up
Dance and move your body to excite me


Feeling so doggone happy like a natural child
Feeling pure and innocent happiness


Oh help me do the boogie all down the line
Dance and have fun all night long


Come on Virginia, let's shoot some dice
Let's take chances and have fun, Virginia


My sweet black angel, shine a light
My beautiful and loyal friend, give me guidance and support


Saw you stretched out in room ten o nine
I saw you lying out in room 1009


With a smile on your face and a tear right in your eye
You're happy in the moment but also feeling emotional pain


Couldn't see to get a line on you, my sweet honey love
I couldn't understand or comprehend your emotions, my love


Berber, jewelry jangling down the street
Arabic, North African jewelry making noise in the street


Making bloodshot eyes at every woman that you meet
Looking intently or flirtatiously at every woman


Come out baby to get a high on you, my sweet honey love
Let's indulge in our love and passion intimately


May the good Lord shine a light on you
May God bless and guide you


Make every song you sing your favorite tune
May you always enjoy every moment and be in harmony with yourself


Warm like the evening sun.
May you be surrounded by warmth and positivity


Well you're drunk in the alley baby...
You're drunk and in a dangerous situation


Never kept a dollar past sunset
I always spend all my money and never save


It always burned a hole in my pants
I always have an urge to spend money because it's burning a hole in my pocket


Never made a school mama happy,
I never met society's expectations


never blew a second chance
I never had an opportunity to redeem myself


I need a love to keep me happy,
I need someone to love and care for me


Baby baby keep me happy,
My love, please keep me happy and fulfilled


Always took candy from strangers,
I've always been attracted to risky or dangerous situations or people


Didn't want to get me no trade
I didn't want a conventional job or career


Never want to be like papa,
I don't want to follow in my father's footsteps


Working for the boss every night and day
Working long hours and for someone else's benefit


Exile on Mainstreet, it's a low down dirty ground.
Main Street is a place of corruption, deceit, and immorality




Contributed by Kaelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Lalo Lucas gmz

from here they were based to create the song Hide Your Love, it has the tone similar to this exile blues!

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