For years, fans of the British rock band The Rolling Stones have been wondering what the name of the famous Jumpin’ Jack Flash song means. They made different guesses, but usually their guesses came down to hints of drug use, which was facilitated by the statements of the authors. Let’s try together to understand the history of creation and the meaning of the legendary composition of “rolling”.
The history of the song Jumpin’ Jack Flash
The words are known to have been written by Keith and Mick at Richards’ country home. He later recalled:
The song’s lyrics originated on an overcast morning in Redlands. Mick and I stayed up all night, it was raining outside, and under the window I heard the sound of walking boots that belonged to my gardener, Jack Dyer. They woke up Mick. He asked, “What is this?” I said, “Oh, it’s Jack. It’s Jumping Jack.” I started to play this phrase on the guitar with an open tuning, singing the phrase “Jumping Jack”. Mick said: “Flash [Flash]”, and suddenly we had this phrase with a great rhythm …
Rolling Stone 2010
While Jagger and Richards are officially credited for writing the song, Bill Wyman claimed to have also contributed to the song:
Somehow we got together early in the studio… Actually, I think it was rehearsals, not recording. And it was just me, Brian and Charlie – The Stones never showed up at the same time, so Mick and Keith weren’t there yet. And I just played the fool, sat down at the piano and started playing this riff: yes-do, yes-yes-do, yes-yes-do. And then Brian played along on the guitar, and Charlie tapped out the rhythm.
We were just messing around like that for about twenty minutes, killing time, and then Mick and Keith came in, froze and said: “Hey, it sounds really cool, let’s go on, what is this?” And the next day we recorded it. Mick wrote great lyrics for it, and it’s a really good single.
“Stone Alone”
Trying to explain the main idea behind Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Jagger said:
[Песня] emerged from all the acid of the Satanic Majesties. It’s about difficult times and overcoming them. Just a metaphor to describe getting rid of everything that has to do with acid.
Rolling stone
In slang, the expression “jack flash” is associated with drug use. Some refer to the method of using heroin through the tear ducts as such, while others describe it as a “rush”. So for music lovers who know the phrase, the meaning of the song is obvious, although not everyone agrees with this interpretation.
Release and achievements
Initially, the song was intended for the Beggar’s Banquet album, but later the musicians decided to release it as a separate single. It was published in 1968 and rose high in the charts of different countries. The track topped the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Critics saw in Jumpin’ Jack Flash a return of “rolling” to the blues origins, from which the band’s creative path began, and well-known publications included the song in several ratings of the best compositions. These include Rolling Stone’s acclaimed 500 Greatest Tracks of All Time and Q’s 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
Clips of Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Two music videos have been made for Jumpin’ Jack Flash, but the copyright holders aren’t thrilled with their presence on YouTube, so all we have to do is listen to the song.
Interesting Facts
- In 1986, Aretha Franklin’s version of the song captivated the public. Keith Richards helped her record the cover.
- This is the most frequently performed song by The Rolling Stones.
- The song was featured in Martin Scorsese’s crime drama Mean Streets, the Whoopi Goldberg comedy Jumpin’ Jack Flash and other films.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones Lyrics
I was born in a cross-fire hurricane
And I howled at the morning driving rain
But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas!
But it’s all right. I’m jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas!
I was raised by a toothless bearded hag
I was schooled with a strap right across my back
But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas!
But it’s all right, I’m jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas!
I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread
I was crowned with a spike right through my head
But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas!
But it’s all right, I’m jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas!
Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones Lyrics
I was born in a crossfire storm
And roared in the morning in the pouring rain
But now everything is in order – and it’s great!
But it’s all right now, I’m a jumping Jack Flash
This is awesome, awesome, awesome!
I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag,
I was raised with a belt down my back
But now everything is in order – and it’s great!
But it’s all right now, I’m a jumping Jack Flash
This is awesome, awesome, awesome!
I was drowning, washed ashore where I was dying alone
I couldn’t get up and saw blood on my legs
I’ve been holding on to stale bread crumbs
I was crowned with a stake right in the head
But now everything is in order – and it’s great!
But it’s all right now, I’m a jumping Jack Flash
This is awesome, awesome, awesome!
