According to Keith Richards in a 1971 Rolling Stone interview, he wrote the song in a Los Angeles hotel room in early 1966 about a groupie he knew. He has also stated that it was about Linda Keith, his girlfriend in the mid-1960s. The song's lyrics concern an apparently free-spirited woman, with Jagger singing, "Who could hang a name on you?/When you change with every new day/Still I'm gonna miss you."
"That's a wonderful song," Mick Jagger told Jann Wenner (Rolling Stone magazine) in 1995. "It's just a nice melody, really. And a lovely lyric. Neither of which I wrote, but I always enjoy singing it."Bill Wyman states in Rolling with the Stones (BW's diary later released in bookform) that the song was completely written by Keith Richards. However, Marianne Faithfull says in her biography that the song was written by Brian Jones, and that Keith Richards only added minor parts
Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #303 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Ruby Tuesday
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yesterday don't matter if it's gone
While the sun is bright
Or in the darkest night
No one knows, she comes and goes
Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
Still, I'm gonna miss you
Don't question why she needs to be so free
She'll tell you it's the only way to be
She just can't be chained
To a life where nothing's gained
And nothing's lost, at such a cost
Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still, I'm gonna miss you
"There's no time to lose," I heard her say
Catch your dreams before they slip away
Dying all the time
Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind
Ain't life unkind?
Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still, I'm gonna miss you
Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still, I'm gonna miss you
The lyrics to The Rolling Stones' song "Ruby Tuesday" are about a woman who is mysterious and free-spirited, and who refuses to be tied down to a conventional life. While she is captivating and alluring, the singer acknowledges that he will miss her when she's gone, and wonders who could ever truly understand or label her.
The first verse sets the scene, describing Ruby's enigmatic nature and how she comes and goes without explanation. The chorus then brings up the idea that she is so mutable and ever-changing that it would be impossible to pin her down with a name or label. The second verse reinforces this idea, with Ruby asserting that her freedom is the most important thing to her and that she cannot be contained by societal expectations. The final verse is a poignant lament about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of following one's dreams before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
She would never say where she came from
Ruby Tuesday is elusive and mysterious about her past
Yesterday don't matter if it's gone
Ruby Tuesday lives in the present and doesn't dwell on the past
While the sun is bright
Ruby Tuesday enjoys life's good times
Or in the darkest night
Ruby Tuesday can handle life's hardships
No one knows, she comes and goes
Ruby Tuesday is unpredictable and nobody can pin her down
Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday
The singer is saying farewell to Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
Ruby Tuesday is unique and cannot be categorized or labeled
When you change with every new day
Ruby Tuesday's identity is constantly evolving
Still, I'm gonna miss you
Even though Ruby Tuesday is unpredictable, the artist will miss her
Don't question why she needs to be so free
Ruby Tuesday values her freedom and it is not to be challenged
She'll tell you it's the only way to be
Ruby Tuesday believes that being free is the best way to live
She just can't be chained
Ruby Tuesday refuses to be tied down or restricted
To a life where nothing's gained
Ruby Tuesday will not settle for a life without growth or progress
And nothing's lost, at such a cost
Ruby Tuesday would rather take risks and lose than never try at all
There's no time to lose, I heard her say
Ruby Tuesday believes in seizing the moment and chasing your dreams
Catch your dreams before they slip away
Ruby Tuesday encourages others to pursue their ambitions
Dying all the time
Life passes quickly and time is limited
Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind
Giving up on your aspirations can lead to being lost or unfulfilled
Ain't life unkind?
Life can be cruel and demanding
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertthacher
As a 14 year old in January 1967, I had a bad cold. Through a haze of cold medicine, this classic song come through the radio. My grandmother took care of me that night. She was up most of the night with me. I remember her love and caring. All these years later, this memory is clear as a bell, and makes me miss my dear old granny who had raised me since I was a baby. Funny what you remember because of a song.
@albertocominardi3946
Niente di buffo. Anzi. Bellissimo.
@brmbkl
and now I'm in a haze, because of misty eyes. beautiful memory, grandmothers are made of gold.
@whoamellie5610
@@brmbkl Very well said..💜❤❤👌👌 Made my eyes misty too, because grandma memories are some of the best kind of memories ever..💕💕 This guy's^^ comment hit a little closer tonight, because my grandmother will have been passed on for exactly 4 years on this here Thursday the 12th 💜💙✨✨
@aaaaaa-hh8cq
my grandma is an angel. she's still around, but I've never been able to show her how much I love her. I've never been able to let her know I love her as much as she loves me. wish me luck, I'll do it before it's late
@fernandasousa1025
Ruby Tuesday, miss all of you ❤
@shandyrainhawk
My Mom Passed Yesterday. Her name is Tuesday. I used to play this album in my room on vinyl and we would dance around the house. Good Bye Ruby Tuesday ❤️
@lanadellhatestheclock3325
Sorry for your loss. 😔
@tonyclarke7656
Don’t be afraid to play this song
Just remember your mum and the great times together.
Good memories make things easier.
@louisewilliams847
😘