The song opens with what has since become a trademark riff for Keith Richards. It is this, coupled with Charlie Watts' steady backbeat and Bill Wyman's echoing bass, that comprises most of the song. Lead guitarist Ronnie Wood can clearly be heard playing a layered variation of Richards' main riff. Often live versions of the song are lengthened by giving Wood a solo near the middle of the song, pieces of which can be heard throughout the original recording.
'Start Me Up' peaked at No. 7 on the UK Singles Charts in August 1981., where it remains a significant single as the Stones have not been back into the UK Top 10 since. In Australia, the song reached No. 1 in November 1981. In the United States, 'Start Me Up' spent three weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard Top Tracks chart.
Start Me Up
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you start me up, I'll never stop
You can start me up
You can start me up, I'll never stop
I've been running hot
You got me ticking, gonna blow my top
If you start me up
Never stop, never stop, I'll never stop
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
Spread out the oil, the gasoline
I walk smooth, ride in a mean, mean machine
Start it up
If you start me up
Kick on the starter
Give it all you got, you got, you got
I can't compete with the riders in the other heats
If you rough it up
If you like it, I can slide it up
Slide it up, slide it up, slide it up
Don't make a grown man cry
Don't make a grown man cry
Don't make a grown man cry
My eyes dilate, my lips go green
My hands are greasy
She's a mean, mean machine
Start it up
Start me up
Ah, give it all you got
You got to never, never, never stop
Slide it up, woo
Aw baby, just slide it up
Slide it up, slide it up, never, never
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
Ride like the wind at double speed
I'll take you places that you've never, never seen
If you start it up
Love the day and we will never stop, never stop
Never, never, never stop
Start me up
Never stop, never stop
You, you, you make a grown man cry
You, you made a dead man come
You, you made a dead man come
The lyrics of The Rolling Stones's classic hit "Start Me Up" is about getting pumped up with excitement and energy, all while channeling it towards a woman. The song features the signature Keith Richards riff that builds up the song's adrenaline, which is also a metaphorical representation of getting a car's engine revving. The song is all about taking action and achieving anything you set your mind to, and this can only happen if you are motivated and focused.
The first verse is a promise of never-ending performance; that if you start someone up, nothing can stop them. The chorus then goes on to sing praises of a woman who makes a man cry, and who also makes him feel alive again. The second verse goes on to describe spreading oil and gasoline, which is a reference to getting the engine of a car running. The singer then mentions being able to ride in a mean machine, which is also a metaphor for the same thing: find your edge and exploit it.
In conclusion, "Start Me Up" is a great rock anthem about finding your strength, harnessing it, and channeling it into something meaningful. The song is all about the thrill of the chase, but ultimately, it is also about the joy that comes with the pursuit of passion.
Line by Line Meaning
If you start me up
If you ignite or initiate something within me
If you start me up, I'll never stop
I'll continue with that unrelenting passion
You can start me up
You have the power to get me going
You can start me up, I'll never stop
And I won't cease until I reach my goals or desires
I've been running hot
I've been experiencing an intense, fiery energy
You got me ticking, gonna blow my top
You're so electric that you could ignite a flame or cause me to lose control
Never stop, never stop, I'll never stop
I'll relentlessly persevere towards my pursuits
You make a grown man cry
You're so powerful that you can bring grown men to their emotional breaking point
Spread out the oil, the gasoline
Prepare the fuel needed to run the machine
I walk smooth, ride in a mean, mean machine
I'm confident and in control, whether walking or driving a powerful vehicle
Kick on the starter
Engage the starting mechanism
Give it all you got, you got, you got
Exert your full effort and energy
I can't compete with the riders in the other heats
I'm unable to keep up with those who are better, faster, or more experienced than me
If you rough it up
If you make it more challenging or demanding
If you like it, I can slide it up
If you enjoy a difficult challenge, then I can rise to it
Don't make a grown man cry
Avoid causing me excessive emotional distress
My eyes dilate, my lips go green
My pupils widen, and my mouth puckers in anticipation or excitement
My hands are greasy
My hands are covered in oil and fuel, indicative of working hard
She's a mean, mean machine
Referring to an impressive and powerful vehicle or woman
Ah, give it all you got
Exert your full strength and energy
You got to never, never, never stop
Continue moving forward without pause or hesitation
Slide it up, woo
Do it better or with more energy
Aw baby, just slide it up
Encouraging someone to push themselves harder
Ride like the wind at double speed
Moving forward quickly with force and intensity
I'll take you places that you've never, never seen
I'll introduce you to new and exciting experiences
Love the day and we will never stop, never stop
Embrace life, and we'll continue pursuing our passions indefinitely
You, you, you make a grown man cry
Reinforcing how powerfully moving this person is
You, you made a dead man come
Metaphorically showing how intense and thrilling the experience is
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leokimvideo
As a kid in the 80's when this song came out I thought wow those old guys are still making music. And look 40 years on they still are and now really old guys
@candidoj
Now we know that 38(Mick at this time) is still a very young age.
@nimim.markomikkila1673
I got into the Stones in 1982, being 11 myself. I was laughing at them, because they were SO OLD (in their 40´s). Now, I´m 52, and they are still doing it in their 80´s. I´m not laughing at them anymore;)
@henriqueerenner5741
Now they are realising a new album
@gleegirloz
I got into them in 1964 and have loved them ever since. I’m now 70 and have seen many great artists. Nothing beats the excitement of a ‘Stones show!
@GailColeman
As the saying goes, we need to think about the kind of world we want to leave to Keith Richard's! 😅
@tribalbaroque
The moments where Charlie smiles at 1:13-1:15, 1:43-1:45, 2:26-2:28 and 2:47-2:49 are the best part of this video! It's like Mick, Keith and Ronnie are the little kids acting crazy up front, whereas Charlie and Bill are the grownups watching on in amusement. Who knows what Charlie had to put up with, and it seems like he did so with so much grace and elegance. He's not trying to draw attention to himself, but because he isn't, he is the most alluring! He doesn't even seem like he's in the right band, but his quiet and gentle demeanor holds everything together, just like a drummer is supposed to do. RIP Charlie.
@greg62945
I'm going to redo my songs and smile.
@whome4642
Couldn’t have said it better.
@sean1121970
It's rock and roll - what's with the long winded psycho analysis?