You Can't Always Get What You Want
The Rolling Stones and Soulwax Lyrics
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A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man
No, you can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You get what you need
I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need
And I went down to the demonstration
To get my fair share of abuse
Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration
If we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse"
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find
You get what you need
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"
I said to him
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need
You get what you need, yeah, oh baby
I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need, oh yeah
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” is one of The Rolling Stones' most iconic songs, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and released in 1969. The song is renowned for its catchy chorus and Jagger’s poignant vocals that criticize the self-gratification and excesses of the ‘60s. The song's lyrics take the listener through multiple scenarios, from a reception to a protest and a drugstore, where each character is attempting to satisfy their desires. But instead, they all end up getting what they need, rather than what they want.
The first verse of the song describes a reception, where the singer sees a woman who had been waiting to meet her “connection” with a “footloose man” by her feet. The chorus follows, mirroring the title and theme of the song. The second verse is at a protest where the singer goes to “get his fair share of abuse,” and he sings about the frustrations he and others have with the system. The third verse sees the singer at a drugstore, standing in line to fill their prescription, and chatting with a sickly man named “Mr. Jimmy” before realizing that he may never get what he wants. The final verse brings back the woman from the reception, this time with the image of a glass of wine and a “bleeding man” in it as the singer hints at his inability to resist her art of deception.
Overall, the ‘you can’t always get what you want’ message is relatable to all who seek to fulfill their aspirations and goals. While Jagger does not deny that desires can be met, he’s telling us that sometimes these goals have a way of blinding one from recognizing what they genuinely need.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her today at the reception
The singer saw someone at a public gathering
A glass of wine in her hand
The person was holding a glass of wine
I knew she would meet her connection
The singer was aware that the person would meet someone important
At her feet was her footloose man
The person's lover was at her feet, relaxed and casual
No, you can't always get what you want
The artist acknowledges that sometimes desires are unreachable
But if you try sometime you find
Persistence can sometimes lead to getting what you need
You get what you need
You'll receive what is necessary, even if it's not exactly what you wanted
And I went down to the demonstration
The artist attended a political protest
To get my fair share of abuse
The artist expected to be treated unfairly by authority figures
Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration
The protestors used music to express their anger and disappointment
If we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse"
The people present would become overwhelmed if they didn't speak out
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
The artist went to a specific drugstore
To get your prescription filled
The singer needed to get medicine
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
The singer encountered someone named Mr. Jimmy while waiting
And man, did he look pretty ill
Mr. Jimmy appeared to be very sick
We decided that we would have a soda
The artist and Mr. Jimmy agreed to share a drink
My favorite flavor, cherry red
The artist preferred a specific type of soda
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
The singer sang a song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"
Mr. Jimmy responded with a single, ominous word
I said to him
The artist replied
In her glass was a bleeding man
The person at the reception had a disturbing item in her glass
She was practiced at the art of deception
The person was experienced in deceiving others
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands
The singer noticed that the person's hands were covered in blood
You just might find
There is a possibility of getting what you need if you try
You get what you need, oh yeah
You will receive what is necessary, even if it's not what you wanted
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Dude
My wife introduced this song to me 11 years ago and it’s now 2021. This song still not getting blown up like it deserves to be.
Matt Falcon
This little unappreciated gem of a remix really needs to get out there already. Talk about bringing an oldie-but-goodie into the modern style! LOVE this mix. And the video, too. Godlike on both parts.
Mikros Kosmos
I'm not the biggest Rolling Stones fan but I love this remix.
Harry Halloumi
Who are you a fan of?
Bob Slartibarti
Played it a million times when out and about with the crew. Still super funky
Harry Halloumi
Agree
Won't be playing Beyonce, Drake or stuff in 40 years.
Tomorrow's fish & chip paper.
Charles Perez
As a Rolling Stone fan , I love ❤️ this version of this song 👌👍👏🏼👏🏼💯🇺🇸 thanks for posting 🙏
Minners
For anyone who heard this little gem it's on Under The Covers part 1 on the Radio Soulwax app!
jimgonewild909
where can I get this app
Minners
@jimgonewild909 search for Radio Soulwax on the App store and it should come up with the name, best thing to do is to download all the playlists and then listen!