Rooted in blues and early rock and roll, the Rolling Stones started out playing covers and were at the forefront of the British Invasion in 1964, becoming identified with the youthful and rebellious counterculture of the 1960s. They then found greater success with their own material, as "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1965), "Get Off of My Cloud" (1965), and "Paint It Black" (1966) became international number-one hits. Aftermath (1966) – their first entirely original album – is considered by The Daily Telegraph to be the most important of their formative records. In 1967, they had the double-sided hit "Ruby Tuesday"/"Let's Spend the Night Together" and experimented with psychedelic rock on Their Satanic Majesties Request. They returned to their rhythm and blues roots with hit songs such as "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1968) and "Honky Tonk Women" (1969), and albums such as Beggars Banquet (1968), featuring "Sympathy for the Devil", and Let It Bleed (1969), featuring "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "Gimme Shelter". Let It Bleed was the first of five consecutive number-one albums in the UK.
Jones left the band shortly before his death in 1969, having been replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor. That year they were first introduced on stage as "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World". Sticky Fingers (1971), which yielded "Brown Sugar" and included the first usage of their tongue and lips logo, was their first of eight consecutive number-one studio albums in the US. Exile on Main St. (1972), featuring "Tumbling Dice", and Goats Head Soup (1973), yielding the hit ballad "Angie", were also best sellers. Taylor was replaced by Ron Wood in 1974. The band continued to release successful albums, including their two largest sellers: Some Girls (1978), featuring "Miss You", and Tattoo You (1981), featuring "Start Me Up". Steel Wheels (1989) was widely considered a comeback album and was followed by Voodoo Lounge (1994), a worldwide number-one album. Both releases were promoted by large stadium and arena tours, as the Stones continued to be a huge concert attraction; by 2007 they had recorded the all-time highest-grossing concert tour three times, and as recently as 2021 they were the highest-earning live act of the year. From Wyman's departure in 1993 to Watts' death in 2021, the band continued as a four-piece core, with Darryl Jones playing bass on tour and on most studio recordings, while Steve Jordan became their touring drummer following Watts' death. Their 2016 album, Blue & Lonesome, became their twelfth UK number-one album.
The Rolling Stones' estimated record sales of 200 million make them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The band has won three Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Billboard magazine and Rolling Stone have ranked the band as one of the greatest of all time.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones
Studio albums
The Rolling Stones / England's Newest Hit Makers (1964)
12 X 5 (1964)
The Rolling Stones No. 2 / The Rolling Stones, Now! (1965)
Out of Our Heads (1965)
December's Children (And Everybody's) (1965)
Aftermath (1966)
Between the Buttons (1967)
Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
Beggars Banquet (1968)
Let It Bleed (1969)
Sticky Fingers (1971)
Exile on Main St. (1972)
Goats Head Soup (1973)
It's Only Rock 'n Roll (1974)
Black and Blue (1976)
Some Girls (1978)
Emotional Rescue (1980)
Tattoo You (1981)
Undercover (1983)
Dirty Work (1986)
Steel Wheels (1989)
Voodoo Lounge (1994)
Bridges to Babylon (1997)
A Bigger Bang (2005)
Blue & Lonesome (2016)
Hackney Diamonds (2023)
Family
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, here he's got it I'm sure
'Cause he lost his life in an accident
Found his heart in the man next door
What exactly is gonna happen
When they do transplant the brain
Will my borrowed brain still compute the same
Or will my daughter suffer so much more
Here comes the girl, she's got her head screwed on
But it ain't screwed on right
Her ambition is to be a prostitute
But the breaks just weren't right
What exactly is gonna happen, tell me
When her father finds out
That his virgin daughter has bordello dreams
And that he's the one she wants to try out
Yeah
There's ma, she's living dangerously
It's a cinch she'll try it anything twice
She thinks she can run right to the whirlpool's edge
And stop herself just in time
What exactly is gonna happen
When she finally fizzles out
The lovers will just be sucked into
To see what the colours of death are all about
Here's the son, has his legs a-screwed on
Yeah, they're screwed on pretty tight
But his brain is loose and it ain't no use
He's already lost the fight
What exactly is gonna happen
When he's finally realized
That he can't play his guitar like E.G. Jim
Or write St. Augustine if he tried
That's what happens
When a family finds out
That they've been in orbit now for a thousand years
And need a thousand more to climb out
The Rolling Stones' song "Family" is an insightful commentary on the different lives and aspirations within a family. The lyrics are a dark and pessimistic take on family life, with each member battling their own demons and facing their own challenges. The song seems to suggest that no matter how close families may be, ultimately they are all on their own in their struggles.
The first verse focuses on the father who has lost his life in an accident, and his heart has been transplanted into the body of another man. The lyrics wonder what will happen when brain transplants are possible, and whether the borrowed brain will still function the same way. The sentiment here is that even in death, people can live on in others, but perhaps not in the same way they would have wanted.
The second verse centers on the daughter with the dream of becoming a prostitute. The lyrics suggest that she is not well, and her ambition is not "screwed on right." The father has yet to find out about her plans, but the song seems to suggest that it's only a matter of time. This verse explores the idea that even the people closest to us can have secrets and hidden desires that we know nothing about.
The third verse focuses on the mother who is living life on the edge. The lyrics suggest that she is a risk-taker, willing to try anything twice. Despite her adventurous spirit, the song suggests that she will eventually reach a point where she can't go any further and will be sucked into the depths of the whirlpool of life. The lyrics are a reminder that life is fleeting, and we can't keep pushing the boundaries without consequences.
The final verse addresses the son, who has his legs "screwed on pretty tight" but has lost the fight in his brain. The lyrics suggest that no matter how hard he tries, he will never be able to play the guitar like his hero E.G. Jim or write like St. Augustine. This last verse explores the idea that talent and ambition are not enough to succeed in life. Even with the best intentions and hard work, we might never be able to achieve what we want.
Overall, the lyrics of "Family" provide a bleak outlook on family life, suggesting that no matter how close we may be, we are alone in our struggles. The song is a reminder that life is tough, and that even those closest to us can have secrets and hidden ambitions that we may never know about.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's father, his heart screwed on
Father is present, emotionally stable
Yes, here he's got it I'm sure
He has control over his emotions
'Cause he lost his life in an accident
He died in an accident
Found his heart in the man next door
His heart was donated to someone else
What exactly is gonna happen
Asking what will occur
When they do transplant the brain
Referring to a hypothetical brain transplant
Will my borrowed brain still compute the same
Asking if a transplanted brain will function the same
Or will my daughter suffer so much more
Concerned about the potential consequences for his daughter
Here comes the girl, she's got her head screwed on
Introducing the daughter character as level-headed
But it ain't screwed on right
Despite her level-headedness, something is still off
Her ambition is to be a prostitute
Revealing the daughter's controversial career choice
But the breaks just weren't right
Her plans aren't working out
What exactly is gonna happen, tell me
Again asking about potential consequences
When her father finds out
Concerned about her father's reaction
That his virgin daughter has bordello dreams
Her father will be shocked to hear that his daughter wants to be a prostitute
And that he's the one she wants to try out
She plans to have sex with her father
There's ma, she's living dangerously
Introducing the mother character as someone who takes risks
It's a cinch she'll try it anything twice
She's not afraid to try things again
She thinks she can run right to the whirlpool's edge
She believes she can handle danger
And stop herself just in time
But she's not invincible and could potentially fail
What exactly is gonna happen
Asking about potential consequences again
When she finally fizzles out
When her luck runs out
The lovers will just be sucked into
Referring to the potential lovers in her life
To see what the colours of death are all about
To face the consequences of risky behavior
Here's the son, has his legs a-screwed on
Introducing the son character as physically capable
Yeah, they're screwed on pretty tight
His legs are strong and sturdy
But his brain is loose and it ain't no use
Despite his physical abilities, his mind isn't focused
He's already lost the fight
He's given up
What exactly is gonna happen
Again asking about potential consequences
When he's finally realized
When he comes to terms with his limitations
That he can't play his guitar like E.G. Jim
He's not as talented as his musical idols
Or write St. Augustine if he tried
He's not a great writer either
That's what happens
Summing up the events of the song
When a family finds out
Linking it back to the overarching theme of family
That they've been in orbit now for a thousand years
Metaphor for being stuck in the same cycle
And need a thousand more to climb out
They're stuck and need more time to escape their problems
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kruiz Smith
When it first started playing, the song didn't feel right to me. I was afraid that the Rolling Stones might of made a bad song, but then a miracle happened. I started to enjoy the song, and now it's one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs. Not as good as sympathy for the devil, but still amazing.
Martin Ru
This song is special.
Maxim Popov
Brilliant Lyrics, the Truest Spirit of the Rolling Stones ❤️
A Lad Insane
Everything from the inflection of Jagger’s voice to the abstract lyricism, to the prominent acoustic guitar reminds me of Dylan. With how influential the guy was and still is, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was what the Stones were going for on this track.
Joelle Benoit
@im annonymous You forget that he is replica from Woody Guthrie. Don't see his influence on the Beatles who never heard him when they begin and the same for most of Brithis, of swinging the London, bands.
im annonymous
Dylan influenced everyone after him...love hin or leave him.. its a fact
Joelle Benoit
If you read my name I'm a woman, don't understand your connection with misogyny???
Joelle Benoit
@MrMojoCroce Except that Stones music arrived before.
Joelle Benoit
@MrMojoCroceSorry. Maybe I don't understand what means hypothesis there lass. Could you explain????
sam duarte シュガー
Perfeita! <3