The Rolling Stones — You Can't Always Get What You Want
Album: Let It BleedAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 5165
Length: 7:20
Plays (last 30 days): 3
share
tweet
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 a 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 50-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
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was a 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 50-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
Comments (563)add comment
1969, about 15 years into the rock era...the form was becoming perfected and these guys were at the top of their game...brilliant....
hmmmmm
Comes close to Nobel prize type lyrics
Comes close to Nobel prize type lyrics
These guys are all still alive and rolling? I suppose it's an attribute of the positive power of drugs, eh? At this point they have just got to be this side of pickled, though. But hey, if it's working for ya then don't go trying to fix it?
Highlow
Highlow
mumpi wrote:
Respectfully, please check the available stats before posting such utter crap.
"Plays (last 30 days): Main Mix - 2"
If you think two plays in 30 days is "overplaying", tune-in to regular radio stations and have your conception of the world adjusted there.
Where do u get these stats ? I’d be curious to see how many time some song’s are played weekly
Respectfully, please check the available stats before posting such utter crap.
"Plays (last 30 days): Main Mix - 2"
If you think two plays in 30 days is "overplaying", tune-in to regular radio stations and have your conception of the world adjusted there.
Where do u get these stats ? I’d be curious to see how many time some song’s are played weekly
Used so well in Californication too.
jjparadise wrote:
Tig Notaro - Classic.
I can't hear this song without chuckling as I think about Tig Notaro. Am I alone on this?
Tig Notaro - Classic.
1969 and still going
,,,, Добрый,,,,,,
Just today I was watching Dexter New Blood, where this song was played and also referred to it's lyrics by the main characters ...
Bleyfusz wrote:
a)
I still can't figure out if this song is:
a) a masterpiece
b) an outright attack on good taste
c) both
a)
rpdevotee wrote:
Bill, This song is being overplayed here on RP...not to mention it is
a pop single that has been overplayed on radio airwaves for decades.
Respectfully, please back off on the frequency. Thx
joejennings wrote:
You Can't Always Get What You Want!
And sometimes you get what you don't....
Bill, This song is being overplayed here on RP...not to mention it is
a pop single that has been overplayed on radio airwaves for decades.
Respectfully, please back off on the frequency. Thx
joejennings wrote:
You Can't Always Get What You Want!
And sometimes you get what you don't....
This song instantly makes me think of it in the movie "The Big Chill" Classic!
I can't hear this song without chuckling as I think about Tig Notaro. Am I alone on this?
perfect placement in The Big Chill.
rpdevotee wrote:
You Can't Always Get What You Want!
Bill, This song is being overplayed here on RP...not to mention it is a pop single that has been overplayed on radio airwaves for decades.
Respectfully, please back off on the frequency. Thx
You Can't Always Get What You Want!
I still can't figure out if this song is:
a) a masterpiece
b) an outright attack on good taste
c) both
a) a masterpiece
b) an outright attack on good taste
c) both
Relayer wrote:
I'm old enough to remember AOR FM radio but even I don't remember it.
Another song ruined by classic rock radio. What I mean is that this is one of the greats, hands down an incredible song that is timeless and perfect. But those damn FM classic rock stations played this to no end (like the typical top 3 Led Zep and Pink Floyd songs), and I just got sick of it. Then in 2002 I discovered RP, and this is my #1 sources for music listening outside of my personal CDs/MP3s. And with that 20 years of RP, I have been given a break from so many overplayed classic rock songs that I can now enjoy them again. So....that is a long way of saying Thanks RP!!!!!
I'm old enough to remember AOR FM radio but even I don't remember it.
ProfessionalGeek wrote:
OMFG!
Never saw that before!
Feckin' brilliant!!!
This "Pearls Before Swine" strip forever changed this song for me.
https://cheezburger.com/5369861888/id-like-to-roll-some-stones-at-that-rat
https://cheezburger.com/5369861888/id-like-to-roll-some-stones-at-that-rat
OMFG!
Never saw that before!
Feckin' brilliant!!!
timmus wrote:
You must be new to RP..?
Had to do a double take to figure out if I was listening to the local classic rock radio station, as they're constantly overplaying this. Would definitely prefer some other Rolling Stones material.
You must be new to RP..?
Awesome song!
The choice of just acoustic guitar and French Horn for the Intro is brilliant. Then it seamlessly moves into B3, drum kit and the the full band. 10/10 from the Toronto panel.
Had to do a double take to figure out if I was listening to the local classic rock radio station, as they're constantly overplaying this. Would definitely prefer some other Rolling Stones material.
Beautiful song, still remember it being played at the funeral of my uncle 21 years ago, who was a huge Stones fan.
RIP Chris
🖤
RIP Chris
🖤
uh oh...now we are all in trouble
1969 and then only a B side albeit of Honky TonkW.
26% have voted it 10; whow! That good eh! Yes it is.
Love to all at RP.
26% have voted it 10; whow! That good eh! Yes it is.
Love to all at RP.
rockroll360 wrote:
Along with Sticky Fingers !
Steven Van Zandt called Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street "the greatest trifecta in rock and roll".
Along with Sticky Fingers !
Steven Van Zandt called Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street "the greatest trifecta in rock and roll".
rpdevotee wrote:
Your point being?
The choir singers in this song are all either geriatrics or dead by now
Your point being?
On_The_Beach wrote:
You can't always get what you want.
You get what you need.
You can't always get what you want.
You get what you need.
unclehud wrote:
Don't blame the Glimmer Twins for unauthorized use of their songs.
And I think it's PERFECT: Mr. Trump is my President. I can't always get what I want.
But did you get what you needed?
Don't blame the Glimmer Twins for unauthorized use of their songs.
And I think it's PERFECT: Mr. Trump is my President. I can't always get what I want.
But did you get what you needed?
RIP Charlie
R.I.P. Charlie 
True irony. A unique 3 PSD presses gets me to the sublime Stones (after Dave Matthews, a poor My Morning Jacket and a depressing Collective Soul)!
rpdevotee wrote:
Respectfully, please check the available stats before posting such utter crap.
"Plays (last 30 days): Main Mix - 2"
If you think two plays in 30 days is "overplaying", tune-in to regular radio stations and have your conception of the world adjusted there.
Bill, This song is being overplayed here on RP...not to mention it is a pop single that has been overplayed on radio airwaves for decades.
Respectfully, please back off on the frequency. Thx
Respectfully, please back off on the frequency. Thx
Respectfully, please check the available stats before posting such utter crap.
"Plays (last 30 days): Main Mix - 2"
If you think two plays in 30 days is "overplaying", tune-in to regular radio stations and have your conception of the world adjusted there.
Bill, This song is being overplayed here on RP...not to mention it is a pop single that has been overplayed on radio airwaves for decades.
Respectfully, please back off on the frequency. Thx
Respectfully, please back off on the frequency. Thx
2021/01/20
rockroll360 wrote:
Along with Sticky Fingers !
Along with Exile on Main Street!
Along with Sticky Fingers !
Along with Exile on Main Street!
rpdevotee wrote:
er... like Mick and Keiff?
The choir singers in this song are all either geriatrics or dead by now
er... like Mick and Keiff?
unclehud wrote:
He’s about to the gone, thankfully!
Kilroy wrote:
Don't blame the Glimmer Twins for unauthorized use of their songs.
And I think it's PERFECT: Mr. Trump is my President. I can't always get what I want.
Had to knock this down from a 10 to a 5. After the High Fidelity rant and Dear Leader's use of the song, it is tainted for me.... too bad because I used to love it.
Don't blame the Glimmer Twins for unauthorized use of their songs.
And I think it's PERFECT: Mr. Trump is my President. I can't always get what I want.
He’s about to the gone, thankfully!
The choir singers in this song are all either geriatrics or dead by now
rpdevotee wrote:
Man, you look pretty ill . . . . Let's have a soda . . . . What's your favorite flavor?
If I never hear this song again as long as I live, it will be too soon
Man, you look pretty ill . . . . Let's have a soda . . . . What's your favorite flavor?
If I never hear this song again as long as I live, it will be too soon
Another song ruined by classic rock radio. What I mean is that this is one of the greats, hands down an incredible song that is timeless and perfect. But those damn FM classic rock stations played this to no end (like the typical top 3 Led Zep and Pink Floyd songs), and I just got sick of it. Then in 2002 I discovered RP, and this is my #1 sources for music listening outside of my personal CDs/MP3s. And with that 20 years of RP, I have been given a break from so many overplayed classic rock songs that I can now enjoy them again. So....that is a long way of saying Thanks RP!!!!!
Brilliant. 
Now when I hear this song I can't help to think of Ghislaine Maxwell
No sympathy for the devil.
No sympathy for the devil.
The first album I bought (when it was released). I feel lucky that I grew up in an era of such brilliant music.
iloveradio wrote:
As well as Sticky Fingers .. basically almost everything from the time they stopped trying to compete with the Beatles through the early 70's era in the Stones catalog.
Anything on Let It Bleed is a 10
As well as Sticky Fingers .. basically almost everything from the time they stopped trying to compete with the Beatles through the early 70's era in the Stones catalog.
iloveradio wrote:
Along with Sticky Fingers !
Anything on Let It Bleed is a 10
Along with Sticky Fingers !
hmulhall wrote:
Along with Sticky Fingers !
Let it Bleed is a Great Record
Along with Sticky Fingers !
Yew kain alwaz git wha chew wan! Cmon sing it! Sing it!
My introduction to popular music was through two albums - Abbey Road by The Beatles and Let It Bleed by The Stones. To this day I can't decide which I prefer, and both would be top of my Desert Island Discs. This song is a 10.
mread wrote:
"Mother Stones"
I like it.
Sorry damn spell checker meant another stones song I never want to hear again
"Mother Stones"
I like it.
Sorry damn spell checker meant another stones song I never want to hear again
This song is always hot always cool
Keep em coming Bill
Thanks
jp33442 wrote:
"Mother Stones"
I like it.
A mother stones song that I never want to hear again
"Mother Stones"
I like it.
A mother stones song that I never want to hear again
The Big Chill made this unlistenable
High school, late 70s... accompanied my mom to the mall on Dec 24th - her for some last minute emergency and me to just sit and watch the panic at the zoo. At some point realized the muzak was playing this little admonition... PERFICK.
BerkeleyAlice wrote:
Don't let that asshole ruin this song for you. He is definitely not worth the effort to even think about.
I just can't listen to this anymore now that it is associated with a certain politician's campaign rallies. Further, if anyone even listened or read the lyrics they would realize this song is totally wrong for a campaign! WTH?
Don't let that asshole ruin this song for you. He is definitely not worth the effort to even think about.
idiot_wind wrote:
Possibly a perfect Rock-n-Roll song.
Geeez,
The just don't write them like this anymore, do they?
A thousand years from now, they will still be calling this a masterpiece.
The just don't write them like this anymore, do they?
A thousand years from now, they will still be calling this a masterpiece.
Possibly a perfect Rock-n-Roll song.
Kilroy wrote:
Don't blame the Glimmer Twins for unauthorized use of their songs.
And I think it's PERFECT: Mr. Trump is President. I can't always get what I want.
Had to knock this down from a 10 to a 5. After the High Fidelity rant and Dear Leader's use of the song, it is tainted for me.... too bad because I used to love it.
Don't blame the Glimmer Twins for unauthorized use of their songs.
And I think it's PERFECT: Mr. Trump is President. I can't always get what I want.
Anything on Let It Bleed is a 10
This "Pearls Before Swine" strip forever changed this song for me.
https://cheezburger.com/5369861888/id-like-to-roll-some-stones-at-that-rat
https://cheezburger.com/5369861888/id-like-to-roll-some-stones-at-that-rat
I just can't listen to this anymore now that it is associated with a certain politician's campaign rallies. Further, if anyone even listened or read the lyrics they would realize this song is totally wrong for a campaign! WTH?
Some things never lose their attraction. And by that I mean, the things you want but don't get.
radekker wrote:
Not again!
It's been two years. Time to let it go. HudValGal wrote:
I see why he is an ex.
Really wanted to use this song at my wedding while walking down the aisle, but my ex-husband wouldn't allow it.
I see why he is an ex.
westslope wrote:
And I always wondered if I was stoned enough to enjoy the French Horn in a Rock Song....(the answer is a HELL YES!!)
And what the hell, I'm going to bump my 9 to a 10....in large part due to:
Trump campaign use[edit]
I always wondered if some of the lyrics were inspired by introductory economics courses at the London School of Economics. If not an economics perhaps a philosophy course where this kind of material is covered.
Wants versus 'needs'.
Sufficient versus necessary conditions.
Wants versus 'needs'.
Sufficient versus necessary conditions.
And I always wondered if I was stoned enough to enjoy the French Horn in a Rock Song....(the answer is a HELL YES!!)
And what the hell, I'm going to bump my 9 to a 10....in large part due to:
Trump campaign use[edit]
President Donald Trump played the Rolling Stones' recording of the song at campaign appearances during the 2016 Republican primaries and the presidential election, including his nationally televised acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in July.[10] After the convention, the band stated publicly that they do not endorse Trump and requested that he cease all use of their songs immediately.[11] Despite the requests to stop, Trump continued using the song at campaign rallies before and after the 2016 election.[12] According to Jagger, the band considers the use of the song as a play-out at rallies to be "odd," given that it is a "sort of doomy ballad about drugs in Chelsea."[13]
Long Live RP!! On_The_Beach wrote:
You can't always get what you want.
true. accept this rule and be happy... easy.
You can't always get what you want.
true. accept this rule and be happy... easy.
This as close to a perfect rock and roll song as a rock and roll song can be! 
HudValGal wrote:
HaHaHaHa!!!! Love it. ;)
Really wanted to use this song at my wedding while walking down the aisle, but my ex-husband wouldn't allow it.
HaHaHaHa!!!! Love it. ;)
I always wondered if some of the lyrics were inspired by introductory economics courses at the London School of Economics. If not an economics perhaps a philosophy course where this kind of material is covered.
Wants versus 'needs'.
Sufficient versus necessary conditions.
Wants versus 'needs'.
Sufficient versus necessary conditions.
Yew kaint always git whatchu want. 
That song, that fits so perfectly the Californication's pilot opening...
chirion wrote:
You can't always get what you want.
Why can't you play other Stone's songs, only this over and over?
You can't always get what you want.
The title of this tune depicts the sentiment as this song starts playing.
Why can't you play other Stone's songs, only this over and over?
expatlar wrote:
I'm by no means a real "Stones fan", I've known those guys over the years :-), but boy they have their share of songs like this that always make me turn it up.
Almost exactly what I wanted to say....although my "fandom" has grown over the last month or so as I've done some active listening to this album (Let it Bleed) and I've concluded that it's my favorite RS album. In fact this song on its own rates maybe a 7 or 8; taken as part of the whole album though....it's a 9.4 (i.e. not quite a 10 yet....)
LONG LIVE RP....and PEACE!!
Some of the finest rock n' roll ever conceived...
I'm by no means a real "Stones fan", I've known those guys over the years :-), but boy they have their share of songs like this that always make me turn it up.
easmann wrote:
Another theory: Maybe Mick wasn't referring to a literal drugstore but, perhaps, a figurative one. The Chelsea Hotel in NYC was a known rocker hangout (https://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/chelsea.html) in the late 60's. Certainly at the time of the writing of this song. Additionally, there was a gentleman by the name of Jimi Hendrix, who lived at the Chelsea experimenting with drugs at this time as well.
Interesting, if disputed, background on whether there was a real "Mr. Jimmy" as referred to in this song and who that might have been. I found two possibilities:
The most often cited possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Hutmaker - A local celebrity in Excelsior, MN (whom Jagger supposedly encountered during and after a concert in Excelsior in 1964 prior to writing this song, and who purportedly uttered the titular phrase "you can't always get what you want" after one of them, which one varies in different versions, failed to receive his order of a cherry Coke, receiving a regular Coca-Cola instead). Fun, but you'd think Mick might have mentioned it before now.
There are a number of seemingly creditable sources that record a version of this story but none quote anyone close to Mick or the band. Also, the way they tell the story leaves some doubt to their credibility as it makes it sound as though a "Cherry Coke" was something you could get from Coca-Cola (bottled or by fountain) at that time but in fact that was not available until 1985. In 1964 a Cherry Coke in a drug store soda fountain (or restaurant or bar) would have been Coke with Grenadine or other cherry-flavored syrup added (remember the "Roy Rogers" cocktail?). So they'd have had to have run out of cherry syrup, not "Cherry Coke", which is entirely possible.
One interesting point: The term in the U.K. would not have been "Drugstore", it would have been "Chemist" as far as I know. Drugstore is a decidedly U.S. term and they frequently included a soda fountain, so that's kind of supporting.
I'd be happy, honestly, if this story turned out to be true, still, I'm skeptical.
The other possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Miller - An American record producer with a long working history with the Stones.
Another possibility is that it was none of the above and we'll never know. That's usually how these things go.
Wikipedia: You Can't Always Get What You Want
The most often cited possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Hutmaker - A local celebrity in Excelsior, MN (whom Jagger supposedly encountered during and after a concert in Excelsior in 1964 prior to writing this song, and who purportedly uttered the titular phrase "you can't always get what you want" after one of them, which one varies in different versions, failed to receive his order of a cherry Coke, receiving a regular Coca-Cola instead). Fun, but you'd think Mick might have mentioned it before now.
There are a number of seemingly creditable sources that record a version of this story but none quote anyone close to Mick or the band. Also, the way they tell the story leaves some doubt to their credibility as it makes it sound as though a "Cherry Coke" was something you could get from Coca-Cola (bottled or by fountain) at that time but in fact that was not available until 1985. In 1964 a Cherry Coke in a drug store soda fountain (or restaurant or bar) would have been Coke with Grenadine or other cherry-flavored syrup added (remember the "Roy Rogers" cocktail?). So they'd have had to have run out of cherry syrup, not "Cherry Coke", which is entirely possible.
One interesting point: The term in the U.K. would not have been "Drugstore", it would have been "Chemist" as far as I know. Drugstore is a decidedly U.S. term and they frequently included a soda fountain, so that's kind of supporting.
I'd be happy, honestly, if this story turned out to be true, still, I'm skeptical.
The other possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Miller - An American record producer with a long working history with the Stones.
Another possibility is that it was none of the above and we'll never know. That's usually how these things go.
Wikipedia: You Can't Always Get What You Want
Another theory: Maybe Mick wasn't referring to a literal drugstore but, perhaps, a figurative one. The Chelsea Hotel in NYC was a known rocker hangout (https://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/chelsea.html) in the late 60's. Certainly at the time of the writing of this song. Additionally, there was a gentleman by the name of Jimi Hendrix, who lived at the Chelsea experimenting with drugs at this time as well.
thewiseking wrote:
I wonder in what movie you found this original thought.
Also... 2 generations have already expired since the movie in question.
The Big Chill killed both this and Heard It Through The Grapevine for at least 2 generations
I wonder in what movie you found this original thought.
Also... 2 generations have already expired since the movie in question.
xanda wrote:
It is the first verse and chorus. (The same as what Mick sings after them.)
I can never make out what the London Bach Choir are singing in the opening part - can't find any lyrics for it. Can anyone help with that please? Thanks.
@xanda It is the first verse and chorus. (The same as what Mick sings after them.)
TerryS wrote:
Flavored? Not in my neighborhood. It did come red, blue, brown or clear, but never flavored. Perhaps some users added cough syrup, which might help with the breathing side-effects, I suppose.
Sorry, definitely flavoured. I've never been a customer, but Google explains it well ...
Flavored? Not in my neighborhood. It did come red, blue, brown or clear, but never flavored. Perhaps some users added cough syrup, which might help with the breathing side-effects, I suppose.
Sorry, definitely flavoured. I've never been a customer, but Google explains it well ...
I can never make out what the London Bach Choir are singing in the opening part - can't find any lyrics for it. Can anyone help with that please? Thanks.
No need to hear this again. The Big Chill saw to that.
Kilroy wrote:
They trolled it.. Small achievement in a low hanging fruit campaign..
Had to knock this down from a 10 to a 5. After the High Fidelity rant and Dear Leader's use of the song, it is tainted for me.... too bad because I used to love it.
They trolled it.. Small achievement in a low hanging fruit campaign..
I've always loved how this song gets cooking at the end. Seems like a party that could go all night.
easmann wrote:
I'm not sure where you hear that, but we all hear different things in songs.
Lou Reed - Velvet Underground influence on this one I believe.
I'm not sure where you hear that, but we all hear different things in songs.
The Big Chill killed both this and Heard It Through The Grapevine for at least 2 generations
DaidyBoy wrote:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I thought this bit referred to cherry-flavoured red Methadone ...
Flavored? Not in my neighborhood. It did come red, blue, brown or clear, but never flavored. Perhaps some users added cough syrup, which might help with the breathing side-effects, I suppose.
Please excuse my ignorance, but I thought this bit referred to cherry-flavoured red Methadone ...
Flavored? Not in my neighborhood. It did come red, blue, brown or clear, but never flavored. Perhaps some users added cough syrup, which might help with the breathing side-effects, I suppose.
easmann wrote:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I thought this bit referred to cherry-flavoured red Methadone ...
Interesting, if disputed, background on whether there was a real "Mr. Jimmy" as referred to in this song and who that might have been. I found two possibilities:
The most often cited possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Hutmaker - A local celebrity in Excelsior, MN (whom Jagger supposedly encountered during and after a concert in Excelsior in 1964 prior to writing this song, and who purportedly uttered the titular phrase "you can't always get what you want" after one of them, which one varies in different versions, failed to receive his order of a cherry Coke, receiving a regular Coca-Cola instead). Fun, but you'd think Mick might have mentioned it before now.
There are a number of seemingly creditable sources that record a version of this story but none quote anyone close to Mick or the band. Also, the way they tell the story leaves some doubt to their credibility as it makes it sound as though a "Cherry Coke" was something you could get from Coca-Cola (bottled or by fountain) at that time but in fact that was not available until 1985. In 1964 a Cherry Coke in a drug store soda fountain (or restaurant or bar) would have been Coke with Grenadine or other cherry-flavored syrup added (remember the "Roy Rogers" cocktail?). So they'd have had to have run out of cherry syrup, not "Cherry Coke", which is entirely possible.
One interesting point: The term in the U.K. would not have been "Drugstore", it would have been "Chemist" as far as I know. Drugstore is a decidedly U.S. term and they frequently included a soda fountain, so that's kind of supporting.
I'd be happy, honestly, if this story turned out to be true, still, I'm skeptical.
The other possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Miller - An American record producer with a long working history with the Stones.
Another possibility is that it was none of the above and we'll never know. That's usually how these things go.
Wikipedia: You Can't Always Get What You Want
The most often cited possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Hutmaker - A local celebrity in Excelsior, MN (whom Jagger supposedly encountered during and after a concert in Excelsior in 1964 prior to writing this song, and who purportedly uttered the titular phrase "you can't always get what you want" after one of them, which one varies in different versions, failed to receive his order of a cherry Coke, receiving a regular Coca-Cola instead). Fun, but you'd think Mick might have mentioned it before now.
There are a number of seemingly creditable sources that record a version of this story but none quote anyone close to Mick or the band. Also, the way they tell the story leaves some doubt to their credibility as it makes it sound as though a "Cherry Coke" was something you could get from Coca-Cola (bottled or by fountain) at that time but in fact that was not available until 1985. In 1964 a Cherry Coke in a drug store soda fountain (or restaurant or bar) would have been Coke with Grenadine or other cherry-flavored syrup added (remember the "Roy Rogers" cocktail?). So they'd have had to have run out of cherry syrup, not "Cherry Coke", which is entirely possible.
One interesting point: The term in the U.K. would not have been "Drugstore", it would have been "Chemist" as far as I know. Drugstore is a decidedly U.S. term and they frequently included a soda fountain, so that's kind of supporting.
I'd be happy, honestly, if this story turned out to be true, still, I'm skeptical.
The other possibility is:
Wikipedia: Jimmy Miller - An American record producer with a long working history with the Stones.
Another possibility is that it was none of the above and we'll never know. That's usually how these things go.
Wikipedia: You Can't Always Get What You Want
Please excuse my ignorance, but I thought this bit referred to cherry-flavoured red Methadone ...
Had to knock this down from a 10 to a 5. After the High Fidelity rant and Dear Leader's use of the song, it is tainted for me.... too bad because I used to love it.
I suppose I too was a whiner. It was a long, long 8 years. I never participated in a riot, or tried to silence anyone's opinion, though. Nor did I attempt to project my own personal character flaws on people I disagree with. Kinda like when you call someone a racist or Nazi or fascist. Instead I voted. That's how it works here in America.
STONES DUDE! JUST LIKE SPICOLI SAYS!
https://youtu.be/eO3BVkbmXvg
https://youtu.be/eO3BVkbmXvg
Stones are Awesome
when they're playin that dooch-bag trump is last thing in the world to come to mind
Rock On!
when they're playin that dooch-bag trump is last thing in the world to come to mind
Rock On!
Trump put The Big Chill on this tune, but still a 9.
Skydog wrote:
After recovering from the beating this song took in the movie "High Fidelity", Trump completely ruined the song for me. Can't listen to it any longer without wanting to punch something....
at every event Trump had when campaigning they played this song at the end,...
...wtf?
was it some sort of cryptic message to his supporters?
...wtf?
was it some sort of cryptic message to his supporters?
After recovering from the beating this song took in the movie "High Fidelity", Trump completely ruined the song for me. Can't listen to it any longer without wanting to punch something....
at every event Trump had when campaigning they played this song at the end,...
...wtf?
was it some sort of cryptic message to his supporters?
...wtf?
was it some sort of cryptic message to his supporters?
icuski2 wrote:
Then you clearly don't understand Rock & Roll as they're at the heart. You'll always find good music on the radio... along with a bunch of marginal and bad.
Exactly!!
Then you clearly don't understand Rock & Roll as they're at the heart. You'll always find good music on the radio... along with a bunch of marginal and bad.
Exactly!!
Schmoogsley wrote:
Then you clearly don't understand Rock & Roll as they're at the heart. You'll always find good music on the radio... along with a bunch of marginal and bad.
Never understood all the hoopla over the Stones. I liked them. They're ok. Typical stuff you heard on the radidio. 
Then you clearly don't understand Rock & Roll as they're at the heart. You'll always find good music on the radio... along with a bunch of marginal and bad.
Never understood all the hoopla over the Stones. I liked them. They're ok. Typical stuff you heard on the radidio.
This. Whole. Album. Rocks!
Typesbad wrote:
Interesting comment.
I too feel that way about many songs, but not this one.
A quite excellent song that I am just not interested in listening to any more.
Interesting comment.
I too feel that way about many songs, but not this one.
A quite excellent song that I am just not interested in listening to any more.
top 10 rock-tune of all time
*
My uncle was married to my step-aunt. And she had a brother who was married to a woman who previously had been married to the brother of Mr. Jimmy. And the story goes that "jimmy" was, in reality, actually Dr. Jimmy (from WHO fame) and Dr. Jimmy and Mr. Jim were actually brothers. Wow...what a small world, huh?
*
My uncle was married to my step-aunt. And she had a brother who was married to a woman who previously had been married to the brother of Mr. Jimmy. And the story goes that "jimmy" was, in reality, actually Dr. Jimmy (from WHO fame) and Dr. Jimmy and Mr. Jim were actually brothers. Wow...what a small world, huh?
kurtster wrote:
Saw them again during the Voodoo Lounge Tour and they were great. Same venue, the old Cleveland Muni Stadium.
I have seen Tigers and Indians at that same place
Saw them again during the Voodoo Lounge Tour and they were great. Same venue, the old Cleveland Muni Stadium.
I have seen Tigers and Indians at that same place
subgyro wrote:
You can't always get what you want.
LOL
You can't always get what you want.
LOL
My mom recently told me that my grandmother and "Jimmy's" mom were friends back in the day in small town MN.
She said Jimmy was a very very unique individual
She said Jimmy was a very very unique individual
radekker wrote:
You can't always get what you want.
Not again!
You can't always get what you want.
Holy crap....not again.
MooreBig does a good cover of this
Not again!
Indeed. late 60's early 70's god-like. Nicky Hopkins on piano, Mick Taylor on guitar. After that?
hummmm....not so much
hummmm....not so much
Skydog wrote:
I dunno, seen them twice. Once in the mid 70's, forget what album was out then. So, so, but it was raining, too.
Saw them again during the Voodoo Lounge Tour and they were great. Same venue, the old Cleveland Muni Stadium.
Whoever coined the phrase about The Rolling Stones being "the greatest rock-n-roll band in the world" should have copyrighted it.
It is the biggest myth ever.
I do however like their albums Beggars, Bleed, Fingers and Exile but they were and are a lame-ass live band.
It is the biggest myth ever.
I do however like their albums Beggars, Bleed, Fingers and Exile but they were and are a lame-ass live band.
I dunno, seen them twice. Once in the mid 70's, forget what album was out then. So, so, but it was raining, too.
Saw them again during the Voodoo Lounge Tour and they were great. Same venue, the old Cleveland Muni Stadium.
I really miss these Rolling Stones.
Jagger is so fortunate - horrible voice like his, and yet people still love this stuff.
Skydog wrote:
I think it was either Bing Crosby or Ogden Nash who coined that phrase for The Stones; they were both big fans.
Whoever coined the phrase about The Rolling Stones being "the greatest rock-n-roll band in the world" should have copyrighted it.
It is the biggest myth ever.
I do however like their albums Beggars, Bleed, Fingers and Exile but they were and are a lame-ass live band.
It is the biggest myth ever.
I do however like their albums Beggars, Bleed, Fingers and Exile but they were and are a lame-ass live band.
I think it was either Bing Crosby or Ogden Nash who coined that phrase for The Stones; they were both big fans.
tonispizzeria wrote:
Wer ist Dr. Mabuse?
Du kannst net immer habe was de willst , doch wenn du es mal versuchts , dann wird dir klar du kriegst was du brauchst
gruß an Dr. Mabuse
Wer ist Dr. Mabuse?
It's not always the song but what and who it represents. You should have been there.