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Jones left the band shortly before his death in 1969, having been replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor.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)
Under My Thumb
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The girl who once had me down
Under my thumb
The girl who once pushed me around
It's down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has comeShe's under my thumb
And ain't it the truth babe?
Under my thumb
It's a squirmin' dog who's just had her day
Under my thumb
A girl who has just changed her ways
It's down to me
Yes it is
The way she does just what she's told down to me
The change has come
She's under my thumb
Ah, ah, say it's alright
Under my thumb
Is a Siamese cat of a girl
Under my thumb
She's the sweetest, hm, pet in the world
It's down to me
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Ah, take it easy babe
It's down to me, oh yeah
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Yeah, it feels alright
Under my thumb
Her eyes are just kept to herself
Under my thumb, well I
I can still look at someone else
It's down to me, oh, that's what I said
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Say, it's alright
Say it's all
Say it's all
Take it easy babe
Take it easy babe
Feels alright
Take it, take it easy babe
The song "Under My Thumb" by The Rolling Stones, released in 1966, is an interesting commentary on control within a relationship. The lyrics describe a woman who once had power over the singer and was able to push him around. However, he now has control over her and revels in the change that he has brought about. He asserts himself as the one who has made the difference in the clothes she wears, the way she talks when she's spoken to, and the activities she engages in. The woman is now under his thumb and he enjoys the power it gives him.
Looking at the song from a modern point of view, it's clear that the lyrics are problematic and sexist. The idea of a man exerting his control over a woman is not acceptable, and the lyrics are clearly objectifying the woman in question. However, the song is a product of its time and should be viewed in that context.
From a musical perspective, "Under My Thumb" is a classic Rolling Stones rock song with a catchy guitar riff and strong rhythm section. The repetitive nature of the song and the stated power dynamic are what make it so memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Under my thumb
I have control over this girl
The girl who once had me down
I used to be insecure and she had power over me
The girl who once pushed me around
She used to treat me poorly and dominate me
It's down to me
I am the one in charge now.
The difference in the clothes she wears
I dictate what she can wear.
The change has come
I have completely transformed her behavior.
She's under my thumb
She does everything I want her to.
And ain't it the truth babe?
I'm proud of how I've changed her.
It's a squirmin' dog who's just had her day
She's like a beaten dog who is now submissive.
A girl who has just changed her ways
She has done a complete 180 and is now obedient.
Yes it is
It's all because of me.
The way she does just what she's told down to me
She follows my orders perfectly.
Is a Siamese cat of a girl
She's delicate and helpless, like a cat.
She's the sweetest, hm, pet in the world
She is completely subservient to me, like a pet.
The way she talks when she's spoken to
I control the way she speaks to me.
Her eyes are just kept to herself
She's not allowed to look around or make eye contact with others.
I can still look at someone else
I can still gaze at other girls if I want.
Say it's all
Confirm that you are under my control.
Take it easy babe
Just relax and go along with what I say.
Feels alright
I feel great because I've completely dominated her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sharkfin2033
Proves that The Rolling Stones are one of the greatest bands of all time. Very unique, especially in the 1960’s. I will always love this song.
@babeeblues
I like this too, offensive as it is. Yet, for me, their top 2 early' 70s: Wild Horses (my fav song period), Angie. Love Mick on aching ballads esp.
@andresanario6663
theres another version, del shannon also a great one👍
@deNNyTheWiseMAN1
yes!@@gman8361
@OogieWa
That groove is straight out of Motown!!! They knew what to use when they weren't coming up with their own thing!
@mikejohnston2572
I graduated high school in 1997. Heard this song for the first time working at a stereo store in the mall back then. Every time I tried to sell a stereo system I would put this song in. In my opinion, even the worst stereo back then could be made to sound good with this song rocking through it. It still resonates through me to this day. Love this music!
@kfiscal01
My sister scored tickets to the Tatoo You concert In Landover maryland in 1981, December I believe. We had an absolute blast and this tune was the opening. The whole stage rotated from the beginning of the song. Thanks sis, for turning me on to one of the the greatest memories of music ever!!
@LydiaMontoya-y3g
@@kfiscal01 I'm going to play it right now
@none3769
I was there 12/7/81. Still have my tickets! My 3rd Stones concert of many. Cheers
@lilmissrockchick4962
Mick's voice is absolutely gorgeous in this song 😍