Jagger’s harmonica and Mick Taylor’s masterful acoustic guitar work flow innocently alongside a drug-smuggling man’s lyrical plea for love.
"
I wanted to release Sweet Virginia as kind of an easy listening single."
- Keith Richards, 1972
Sweet Virginia
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there's not a friend to help you through
Tryin' to stop the waves behind your eyeballs
Drop your reds, drop your greens and blues
Thank you for your wine, California
Thank you for your sweet and bitter fruits
Yes I got the desert in my toenail
But come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
Come on, honey child, beg you
Come on, come on down, you got it in ya
Got to scrape the shit right off your shoes
Yeah, I want you to come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
I want you to come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
I want you come on, honey child, I beg you
I want you come on, honey child you got it in you
Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes
But come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
Come on, come on down, I beg
Come on, come on down, you got it in you
Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes
The lyrics to The Rolling Stones song "Sweet Virginia" speak to a sense of isolation and desperation that can come with being alone in difficult circumstances. The singer describes wading through the waste of a stormy winter with no friend to help, and trying to stop the waves behind his/her eyeballs. This image of trying to keep emotions at bay is heightened by the command to "Drop your reds, drop your greens and blues," which suggests the use of drugs or alcohol to numb the pain.
The chorus of the song brings a sudden change in tone, with the singer thanking California for its wine and "sweet and bitter fruits." It's not clear whether or not this is meant to be sarcastic, but the line "Yes I got the desert in my toenail" suggests a sense of disillusionment or disappointment with the experience of being in California. The next line, "And I hid the speed inside my shoe," brings back the idea of using drugs to cope with difficult circumstances.
The final verse of the song brings a plea for connection and support, as the singer urges Sweet Virginia to "come on down" and help scrape the "shit" off his/her shoes. This image suggests a desire to leave behind the dirt and struggle of the past and move forward, but it also implies that this can't be done alone. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, underscoring the bittersweet tone of the lyrics and the sense of longing for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Wadin' through the waste stormy winter
Trying to navigate through a difficult and barren period in life
And there's not a friend to help you through
Feeling alone and unsupported during this challenging time
Tryin' to stop the waves behind your eyeballs
Struggling with inner turmoil and emotional distress
Drop your reds, drop your greens and blues
Letting go of distractions and coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol
Thank you for your wine, California
Expressing gratitude for past experiences and memories
Thank you for your sweet and bitter fruits
Acknowledging the ups and downs of life
Yes I got the desert in my toenail
Feeling the effects of a harsh and unforgiving environment
And I hid the speed inside my shoe
Keeping secrets and holding onto vices as a means of coping
But come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
Inviting someone to join in on the journey towards a better future
Come on, honey child, beg you
Urging this person to take action and make a change
Come on, come on down, you got it in ya
Encouraging this person to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome challenges
Got to scrape the shit right off your shoes
Letting go of old habits and negative influences
Yeah, I want you to come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
Reiterating the invitation to join in on the journey towards a better future
I want you to come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
Expressing a deep desire for this person to be a part of the journey
I want you come on, honey child, I beg you
Imploring this person to take action and make a change
I want you come on, honey child you got it in you
Affirming this person's potential and ability to overcome challenges
Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes
Urging this person to leave behind negative influences and make a fresh start
Come on, come on down Sweet Virginia
Reiterating the invitation to join in on the journey towards a better future
Come on, come on down, I beg
Desperately asking this person to take part in the journey
Come on, come on down, you got it in you
Affirming this person's ability to overcome challenges and create a better future
Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes
Encouraging this person to let go of negative influences and start anew
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@artisticdust9459
Lyrics:
Wadin' through the waste stormy winter,
And there's not a friend to help you through.
Tryin' to stop the waves behind your eyeballs,
Drop your reds, drop your greens and blues.
Thank you for your wine, California,
Thank you for your sweet and bitter fruits.
Yes I got the desert in my toenail
And I hid the speed inside my shoe.
But come on, come on down Sweet Virginia,
Come on, honey child, I beg of you.
Come on, come on down, you got it in ya.
Got to scrape the shit right off your shoes.
Yeah, I want you to come on, come on down Sweet Virginia,
I want you come on, honey child, I beg of you.
I want you come on, honey child you got it in you.
Got to scrape that shit right off you shoes.
But come on, come on down Sweet Virginia,
Come on, come on down, I beg of you.
Come on, come on down, you got it in you.
Got to scrape that shit right off you shoes.
@TheRollingStones
Bobby Keys made an incredible musical contribution to the Stones.
His legacy will not be forgotten.
What are your favourite songs featuring Bobby's sax playing?
@rpoberueberSCHECKE
never be forgotten , never !
@bornandraisedin0106
R.I.P. Bobby
@JordanoSchutz
Sweet Virginia is definitely my favorite Bobby's solo. Thanks for your great work, Bobby Key-y-y-s!
@JimMize
Can you hear me knocking Bobby and Keith worked well together on this number and of course his sax on brown sugar was one of the best sax performances I've ever heard rip Bobby you will be missed!
@StephenCrawley
Always loved seeing him on stage with you ... !
@oierfanodadebat1347
I'm speechless. He's so immersed in the song that whenever I play it, I get goosebumps just watching him. Look at him – he connects with every single line of the lyrics. This, my friends, is the power of music. This is The Rolling Stones, a part of our human heritage.
@meanmrmustard8226
Well said sir, well said
@andrewbrennan7291
True Words
@stevebrown4692
Spot on Mate.