Behind The Song: The Rolling Stones, “Satisfaction”

American Song Writer ^ | 8/2/21 | Andrew Leahey

[DallasBiff]

It was a spring morning in 1965, several weeks before the start of the Rolling Stones’ third North American tour, when Keith Richards rolled out of bed and noticed something strange. The Philips cassette player that he kept in his London bedroom appeared to be broken. He’d put a new tape into the machine one day earlier, but now the cassette was at the end of its spool, having somehow wound its way through 45 minutes of useable tape. Curious, he rewound the cassette and pushed play.

A three-note guitar riff came blasting out of the speakers, followed by some basic chords and a simple refrain. “I can’t get no satisfaction,” went the melody, sung by Richards in a sleepy, half-conscious voice. After several repetitions, the music faded out and gave way to 40 minutes of snoring. Richards had apparently woken up with a melody in his head, recorded it with his acoustic guitar and then fallen back asleep.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: music; rollingstones; satisfaction

[DallasBiff]

Well after 60 years the song still resounds, probably the best rock song ever.

I know the gar heads will disagree.

Flame away and have fun it's saturday.

[Dr. Franklin]

Was Walking Death half asleep when he made the recording, or stoned out of his mind before passing out?

[Cronos]

It’s a great song. But beyond the riff and “I can’t get no satisfaction”, can you remember the lyrics?

I would say for rock, Hey Jude or Bohemian Rhapsody or Stairway to heaven or Hotel California all have equal claims to being the greatest.

[BipolarBob]

can you remember the lyrics?
well I've tried and I've tried.

[Repeal The 17th]

“...I can’t get no satisfaction...”
-
Well...you can’t always get what you want!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It is a song about how someone, because of his repeated attempts, is totally satisfied at all times.

[Fungi]

Good grief. Since everyone on this thread knows so much about music, name the best symphony ever written.

[BipolarBob]

White Room by Cream.

[BradyLS]

…How white my shirts could be
But he can’t be a man cuz he doesn’t smoke
The same cigarettes as me…

Well, it’s something. Fun challenge!

[eyedigress]

Rock N’ Roll?

Led Zep. That will get you moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFT6IaFcu7I

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Yes. “Sleep-writing” songs? Sure.

[llevrok]

“I can’t get no girl reaction.....”

[Fiji Hill]

For 60 years, I thought the opening notes were played by a baritone saxophone, but they are actually from a guitar hooked up to some sort of electronic gadget.

I also thought they were singing, "I'm trying to meet some girl," but a glance at the lyrics shows "I'm trying to make some girl." They were probably trying to make one by using a girl machine.

[Hyman Roth]

Beethovens 5 th. 🕺

[ColoCdn]

Allegretto from Beethoven’s 7th.

[Hyman Roth]

No one tops Yoko Ono.

[greyline90]

And that was before he snorted his dad’s ashes. Guy was a sick f…

[dfwgator]

I like the DEVO version more.

[dfwgator]

Keith’s book “Life” is a great read.

[Libloather]

I want Keith’s doctor.