The song, released in 1968, was seen as continuing the Stone's return to their earthy blues and rock & roll based roots after the psychedelic experimentation of Their Satanic Majesties Request.
Street Fighting Man
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
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Of marching, charging feet, boy
'Cause summer's here and the time is right
For fighting in the street, boy
Well, now what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock and roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London TownThere's just no place for street fighting man, no
Hey, think the time is right
For a palace revolution
'Cause where I live the game to play
Is compromise solution
Well, now what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock and roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London Town
There's just no place for street fighting man, no
Get down
Hey, said my name is called Disturbance
I'll shout and scream, I'll kill the king
I'll rail at all his servants
Well, now what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock and roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London Town
There's just no place for street fighting man, no
Get down
The Rolling Stones's song "Street Fighting Man" is a protest anthem that captures the mood of social unrest and political disillusionment that characterized the late 1960s. The lyrics describe the sound of marching feet charging through the streets, and the singer's frustration at the lack of options available to him as a poor boy living in London. He sings for a rock and roll band, criticizing the establishment and calling for a revolution to overthrow the existing order of things.
The song's opening stanza sets the scene for the volatile atmosphere of the times, as the warm weather and the approach of summer bring the potential for violence and unrest to the streets. The second stanza expresses the singer's sense of helplessness and frustration, as he laments the lack of opportunities for a poor boy stuck in a sleepy town like London. The third stanza takes a more proactive tone, as the singer calls for a palace revolution and rails against the system of compromise that he sees as perpetuating the status quo.
The closing lines of the song, which reference the singer's alter ego as "Disturbance," reflect the sense of anger and desperation that pervaded many young people's attitudes toward authority and power structures in the late 1960s. Overall, "Street Fighting Man" is a powerful and evocative expression of the social and political tensions of its era, and a testament to the role that music can play in giving voice to the voiceless and articulating the feelings of a generation.
Line by Line Meaning
Everywhere I hear the sound
Of marching, charging feet, boy
The singer is observing the commotion around him, where people are gearing up with energy and action for what's to come.
'Cause summer's here and the time is right
For fighting in the street, boy
The time seems right for a fight to break out on the streets, possibly due to the season and heightened emotions.
Well, now what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock and roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London Town
There's just no place for street fighting man, no
The singer feels helpless and finds solace only in music as there's no space for a grassroots uprising in London.
Hey, think the time is right
For a palace revolution
'Cause where I live the game to play
Is compromise solution
The singer proposes that instead of street fighting, it's time for a systemic overhaul starting at the top of the establishment where they live, which normally pushes for non-violent settlements.
Get down
This is a call to action, a request to get started with the plan of change.
Hey, said my name is called Disturbance
I'll shout and scream, I'll kill the king
I'll rail at all his servants
The singer adopts a new identity, called Disturbance, and declares their intent to rise up against the monarchy and the people who serve them.
Well, now what can a poor boy do
Except to sing for a rock and roll band?
'Cause in sleepy London Town
There's just no place for street fighting man, no
The singer circles back to feeling powerless as an individual and can only express themselves through music amidst the sleepy London environment, where the working-class has little voice.
Get down
This final call to action urges people to move beyond singing and take action towards societal change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dragonsoul1001
V for Vendetta, we need a man like V right now, especially due to the way both the US and Britain seem to be going right now.
@modickens7154
RIP Mr. Watts. I'm 66 and you were a big part of my life. Bless your friends and family, A Fan in Kansas City
@davebrokenshire1086
I'm 68 in Cambridge, England, and I feel exactly the same way. I think there's a lot of us out there.
@marysepradet6515
yes, I am French so pls forgive my approximate English, Charlie Watts was the soul of this band, the best part too, and I am very sad
@henriquediasdamotta5352
"Another goodbye to another good friend".
@hansreulen8690
all those who made our lives better and easier now all slowly fade away. Whatâs more important than all the good music we had? Grateful that I may have been part of it 68 years long.
@jonathankoerth9905
RIP Charlie Watts. Great drumming on this epic song.
@moongloomable
Playing on a practice drumset on this song I believe recorded on an early tape deck. R.I.P
@zackkotzev5475
R.I.P. Charly, you gave us so much, thank you!
@foto21
Apparently on a table top toy kit, though it sounds like there are real toms overdubbed also. It has such a unique sound, which makes this most political of Stones songs hit harder. Keith is a fricking genius on that guitar, even though it's so simple.