The appearance of the song It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll (but I Like It) was preceded by a multi-stage story of Ronnie Wood’s acquaintance with his future bandmates in The Rolling Stones. He first enlisted Mick Taylor to record his debut album, I’ve Got My Own Album to Do. They worked on it in the studio of a mansion called The Wick, which belonged to Wood.
The story of the creation of the song It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll
By coincidence, one day Chrissy, Ronnie’s wife, invited Keith Richards to visit. He befriended the owners, helped record a few tracks, and even lived in the house for a while. Soon they were joined by Mick Jagger, who also established a friendly relationship with Ronnie.
It was in The Wick studio that the composition It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It) was born, which later became one of the most famous works of the Rolling Stones. The author of the lyrics of the song and the original version of the melody was Jagger. The demo version was recorded on July 24, 1973 with the participation of David Bowie and other musicians. Let’s hear what the members of The Rolling Stones have to say about the history of the song.
Ron Wood:
It was recorded at my home in Richmond in 1974. The original recording was made there in my studio with Willie Weeks on bass, Kenny Jones on drums, me on guitar and David Bowie with Mick on vocals.
Mick Jagger:
…the original version was half-recorded in Ron Wood’s basement, if I’m not mistaken. It was a demo. The song was very reminiscent of Chuck Berry’s style, but it has a very different vibe.
Charlie Watts:
It wasn’t me who played the drums, but Kenny Jones. I then slept. They called Kenny Jones because he lived closer to Richmond. It all happened in a very beautiful house that belonged to Ronnie. It is now owned by Pete Townsend.
SongFacts.com
When Keith Richards heard the track, he immediately decided that it should be included in their future album, which the rest of The Rolling Stones agreed with.
Meaning of It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)
In the liner notes for the Jump Back compilation album, Jagger explained what the song is about:
The main idea of the song is related to our public image at that time. I started to get a little tired of people trying to say something along the lines of, “Oh, their work is not as good as the previous one.” The cover shows me with a pen stuck in me like it’s a sword. It was a nonchalant, anti-journalistic thing.
Release and achievements
It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll became the title track of an album by The Rolling Stones and was released as a single in late July 1974. The record company was not sure of its success, but the musicians insisted that it must be released as a separate disc.
The song rose high in the charts in many countries and for many years became an indispensable element of the concert performances of The Rolling Stones.
Video of It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)
The music video for the song was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
Interesting Facts
- There is an opinion that Jagger wrote the lyrics of the song, being influenced by David Bowie’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide.
- According to Richards, Charlie Watts nearly drowned while filming the video.
- In December 1999, as part of the Artists for Children Promise project, It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It) was performed by a group of well-known musicians. Let’s watch the video.
It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It) Lyrics by The Rolling Stones
If I could stick my pen in my heart
And spill it all over the stage
Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya
Would you think the boy is strange? Ain’t he strange?
If I could win ya, if I could sing ya
A love song so divine
Would it be enough for your cheating heart
If I broke down and cried? If I cried?
chorus:
I said I know it’s only rock ‘n roll but I like it
I know it’s only rock ‘n roll but I like it, like it, yes, I do
Oh well, I like it, I like it, I like it
I said can’t you see that this old boy has been a lonely?
If I could stick a knife in my heart
Suicide right on the stage
Would it be enough for your teenage lust
Would it help ease the pain? Ease your brain?
If I could dig down deep down in my heart
Feelings would flood on the page
Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya
Would ya think the boy’s insane? He’s insane
Chorus
And do ya think that you’re the only girl around?
I bet you think you’re the only woman in town
Oh yeah
Lyrics of Rolling Stones It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll by The Rolling Stones Alternate
If I could stick a pen in my heart
And spill it across the stage
Would you be satisfied? Would you notice it?
Would you think this guy is weird? Is not it so?
If I could conquer you, if I could sing to you
So divine a love song
Would that be enough for your lying heart?
If I broke down and died? If I cried?
chorus:
I said I know it’s just rock ‘n’ roll but I like it
I know it’s just rock and roll but I like it, I like it, yeah
Oh I like it, I like it, I like it
I said can’t you see this old man is so lonely?
If I could plunge a knife into the heart
Suicide right on stage
Would that be enough for your youthful lust?
Would it help ease your pain? Calm the mind?
If I could get to the bottom of my heart
Feelings would pour out on paper
Would you be satisfied? Would you notice it?
Would you think this guy is mentally ill? He is sick
Chorus
You don’t think you’re the only girl around, do you?
I bet you think you’re the only woman in town?
Oh yeah
Song quote
…this song is a classic. The name itself is a classic.
Keith Richards
