Imagine living in the late 60s, war raging in Asia, headlines are screaming, everyday people marching in the streets...you're a member of the Rolling Stones, the biggest act next to the Beatles....you want to join in on the movement, but what can you do? 'cept to continue singing in a rock n roll band....the video fits perfectly with the song.
@@theheartlandgroup757 You have NO idea what you're talking about. They built their reputation by performing live in Germany before they finally exploded.
This song did not get played in radio because they thought it would incite rebellion amid the social upheaval in 1968. The single was eventually taken off stores. The people that bought it while it was still available have a very desirable and valuable piece of music history.
I heard it on the radio at the time and I knew people that bought the single and the album it was on. Some of the conservative stations wouldn't play it. But I lived on Southern California and things were much looser here. It reached #48 so there had to be plenty of sales. BTW - the song is about why the Stones ARE NOT street fighters. It actually has a kind of sly humor to it. Personally, I think it's a fantastic song.
It's a great song one of favorite Stones. It was either this or Jumpin Jack Flash that Keith recorded the guitar by dropping a mic into an acoustic guitar's sound hole direct to a cassette recorder.
@David Gagne I heard it in the radio all the time. Without looking it up, I'll bet it made the Hot 100 most-played singles - and that would mean it was sold in stores.
Jagger tried to join a protest march in London with the rest of the 60's youth culture. It didn't go as he planned and was instantly recognized by fans. In the early 60's The Stones and The Beatles weren't yet writing polically oriented songs, but by the mid 60"s they realized that musicians could put a voice on the times they were living in. So what could a poor boy do? He could sing for a rock and roll band.
I've been listening to this song for 60years but I never realized that reference to 'kill the King' in the lyrics. Wow. Stones really were THE R&R bad boys of '60s
@@laurencepokras6657 I always thought the first punk rock song was My generation by the Who. The lyrics which go, Why don't you all just fade away, hope I die before I get old was quite punk for that time.
@@keithroberts4952 The only reason i thought this because this song caused fights all the time especially the first time they played it in Ireland...early 60s
I still remember the full, driving sound of this song when I saw them in LA many years back. They have a way of driving the music to your bones and sinews.
The whole Beggars Banquet album is fabulous. Check out "No Expectations", the slide guitar is probably the last thing Brian Jones ever recorded. The closer "Salt of the Earth is fantastic.
Have always loved this Stones song - such a cool beat and the message is spot on for those times as well as today with all the protests and unrest. Thanks guys for your reaction - always love watching you figure out the lyrics and images!🌿🧡
It makes me dance that way too! It was their commentary on the upheaval in the US & many other places, but nothing like that was happening in London. Except musically, & fashion of course!
Riots all over the U.S.A. in 1968 after the assassination of MLK and RFK. and protest to the war. My hometime of Detroit burned to the ground in 1967 and never has recovered and has been a ghetto ever since.
@@uofm4life735 Been to Detroit. I hear ya. '68 was a miserable year but I still think the English Rolling Stones were thinking Europe here. But, no doubt there were massive riots in Detroit.
Legend sez.........back in the day, "they" asked the BeaTles and Stones to write something commenting on social upheaval at the time. The BeaTles wrote "Revolution" and The Stones wrote this.
I hope you guys have realized by now why Zeppelin, the Beatles, and the Stones are considered the holy trinity of music. They just had so many great songs that were so different from the others they did. It takes amazing talent to have such a broad range musically.
Yes, it's a Viet Nam war protest song. In the US students and young people were rising up in protest about the government waging an unjust war, but in sleepy London Town there wasn't enthusiasm for such actions because the British were not so engaged in the Viet Nam War. The only avenue to vent his objections and rage was to sing for a rock n roll band.
You are way off. The UK was in a recession and there were scarce jobs for young men at the time. This isn't about the US involvement in Vietnam at all. "What will a poor boy do?" There was societal upheaval all over, it's not always about the US.
It's tracks like “Street Fighting Man” that showcase the recording audaciousness and experimental ingenuity of the Stones as they entered their apex. In your spare time, research the creation and evolution of this thrashing rocker, which was initially recorded on Keith’s cassette machine. It features zero electric guitars, and that mammoth drum sound is simply the result of Charlie’s 1930s toy drum kit that he used for traveling and playing in his hotel room. Perhaps the most overlooked addition to the song is the Eastern Classical touches, as evident during its coda. Brian Jones plays a droning sitar and tamboura, while Traffic's Dave Mason provides a shehani.
Crazy thing is most people don’t realize it’s all acoustic guitar when they hear it. Classic Stones tune from the era when nobody did rock ‘n roll better IMO.
really wish more people would try and get reactors to listen to hidden gems that didn’t get a lot of airplay.. For the Stones I would pick “Sway” and “Torn and Frayed”
This was very representative of what was going on in 1968 when there were protests and riots in the streets, usually about protesting the Vietnam War. The song was a hit because the Stones were very hot by then after having big hits for four years and making many headlines. I don't really remember the song not being played or sold in stores. Songs about "revolution" were not so uncommon in 1968.
Martin Luther King and Robert F Kennedy were asesinatos that year, among many others, a revolution on those times, and this song encapsulates those times.
Great reaction. Who is the company that does these videos for The Rolling Stones? Every time I see a new one I am amazed at how great they are. The lyric videos for Paint it Black, Sympathy for the Devil, Give me Shelter and this are some of the best I've seen. Right up there with the Symbolic war video for Black Sabbath's War Pigs and Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the wall and more modern....Weird Al's Word Crimes.
Drums: Charlie Watts Bass drum: Dave Mason Bass: Keith Richards Acoustic guitars: Keith Richards Vocals: Mick Jagger Piano: Nicky Hopkins Sitar: Brian Jones Shehnai: Dave Mason Tamboura: Brian Jones
the ability to protest the war in viet nam in sleepy London town was best accomplished by being in a R&R band and giving a message. While the soldiers were fighting a war in Viet Nam, protesters of the war were simultaneously fighting the govt in the streets-literally. There was bloodshed. The protest movement, re many issues, was a big issue in the 60s. It is referenced, often obliquely, in many of the songs of that era.
Classics from this album (Beggars Banquet) are Stray Cat Blues / No Expectations / Dear Doctor / Parachute Woman! - Stray Cat Blues is also great Live with Mick Taylor between 1969-74.
The live version from 1969's "Get Your Ya Ya's Out" is hypnotic. The Rolling Stones, specifically Mick Jagger, had taken a very upfront approach to war in Vietnam in 1968. Mick Jagger joined the London protests against the war. This song was very confrontational call-to-arms, calling for revolution.."Think the time is right for palace revolution". In contrast, The Beatles had stayed out of commenting on the war, or politics in general -- as was Paul McCartney's approach. This song blindsided The Beatles, and caused John Lennon to quickly write their response "Revolution", which offered more of a watered-down view.
There were a lot of protests at that time over the Vietnam war. And Mick is saying that it's better for him to sing about it in a rock band than to riot in the streets. That's all. Great song. Great band. Thanks, cats.
@@farmerbill6855 The Stones toured America more than they did Britain, but you're right, there was a lot of political upheaval at the time. The Beatles recorded Revolution around that time also.
Yeah I think what he meant was with having the war footage in there is that's why they would want the revolutionist to stop the war kind of anti-war stuff yeah back in England there was a lot of different Hooligans they used to gather and have big street fights with lots of people it was pretty bizarre they were just having fun really hotels and talks about it yeah the mods and the Rockers they would show up at some touristy Beach area and get out there and just go to work on each other what I love is Brian Jones had that sitar in the background and then he's playing some kind of a northern African instrument there he got from Algeria or Morocco or something right at the end of the song yes so Keith was writing the song which was inspired by Tariq Ali who was doing an anti-war protest and then the police came in to stop like 25000 rioters but anyway but Brian Jones is playing at tambula and the sitar yeah when I was growing up this is one of my favorite songs of all time during that. P e r i o d Google will not put the word in so you got to spell it out hooray right Floridians take care down there in the dwindling Panhandle that's funny I say it's a panhandle you got a panhandle with a panhandle going towards Alabama okay you kids
I got this from a documentary, featuring quotes form Mick. Back in the day (late 60s), the Stones would play shows and all these guys would get violent in their enthusiasm for the music, mirrored by violent protests in the streets. The song reflects kind of what Lex pointed out. Angst about the world situation, challenging the establishment and not being able to do anything about it.
The Beatles and Stones were asked to take part in the overthrowing of the government and they both said no thanks...The Beatles with "Revolution" and The Stones with this song.
Because this was 1968, and there were anti war marches in London at the time, to protest the Vietnam war. And to Keith Richards that meant revolution was in the air. So he wrote this song. Mick helped on some parts too. But I think it was mainly a Keith song.
Richards made that sound with a guitar and some kind of non musical device from way back. It spun and gave the sound that raw sound you were mentioning Miss Lex.
As I recall, it was during this song that the Hells Angels, who the Stones hired for security, killed some people during the concert at Altamont in 1969-ish. The Stones didn't play this for many years afterward. Please correct me if I got it wrong. Too lazy right now to look it up. My favorite live version is from Get Yer Ya Yas Out -- ruclips.net/video/M8gPQWSXZ4I/видео.html
Brings back Vietnam memories. I was with the 104th Special Forces assigned to the 7th Calivary. This song would be played every morning at 5am prior to being dropped in Cambodia for morning recon.
When this was released in the UK there was a real fear amongst students and others that we would be dragged into the war in Vietnam. As we did not have the anti-communist hatred paranoia of the USA the idea was causing serious consideration of direct action. This was just one of several songs of its time.
The war footage is because this occurred during the Vietnam war and there were demonstrations against it. In France there was a student uprising in Britain a riot outside the US Embassy.
Brad: You need a bit of historical context for this one. In 1968 war and protests were happening all over the world except for the UK. I was 21 and living in London and it did indeed seem a sleepy town bent on compromise. Certainly not a place for a Street Fighting Man and in complete contrast to what was happening in our nearest neighbour France. So what could Mick do except play for a rock and roll band and try to highlight what was happening. This track was issued in the US as a single in 1968 and (as far as I understand it) banned by loads of radio stations. It was belatedly released as a 45 in the UK in 1971 but only after Decca had lost the Stones to their own record label. There's a great version by Rod Stewart from the album "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down" (1969) ruclips.net/video/ZwNpMjFV5Qs/видео.html with a band which contains Ron Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Mickey Waller among others. A rare case of both original and cover getting 10/10.
@Henry Cole has it right about the London protests going on at the time. To Brad's point the Vietnam footage isn't really immediately relevant to the lyrics but whoever put the video together thought the war theme went well.. not sure. Not every protest in the 60's was around the war in Vietnam, it was a time of great social upheaval. Think about the what the 50's looked like and just ten years later the world looked very, very different.
![BabyChiefDoit - Too Slow (feat. STAR BANDZ) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zayaxws7RPg/mqdefault.jpg)
Imagine living in the late 60s, war raging in Asia, headlines are screaming, everyday people marching in the streets...you're a member of the Rolling Stones, the biggest act next to the Beatles....you want to join in on the movement, but what can you do? 'cept to continue singing in a rock n roll band....the video fits perfectly with the song.
We'll in concert huge big tours stones smokes the Beatles
@@josehborba3004 …we’ll of course! The Beatles were never known for being a great live act….
The Beatles had to give up performing because of the screaming fans. The Stones didn't quite have the same problem.
@@kimhoffman4512 they did have lots of screaming fans in the 60's.
@@theheartlandgroup757 You have NO idea what you're talking about. They built their reputation by performing live in Germany before they finally exploded.
Greatest Rock N Roll band ever 🤘🤘
I love the rawness of this song - always have.
Not even close. This is soft shit. Try some fucking Motorhead.
The Who were better.
@@jamesreckling6697 nope not even close Pete Said the stones were the greatest rock &roll band ,than and present still great ,the ultimate band .
My name is called Disturbance, greatest line ever.
This song did not get played in radio because they thought it would incite rebellion amid the social upheaval in 1968. The single was eventually taken off stores. The people that bought it while it was still available have a very desirable and valuable piece of music history.
I heard it on the radio at the time and I knew people that bought the single and the album it was on. Some of the conservative stations wouldn't play it. But I lived on Southern California and things were much looser here. It reached #48 so there had to be plenty of sales. BTW - the song is about why the Stones ARE NOT street fighters. It actually has a kind of sly humor to it. Personally, I think it's a fantastic song.
It's a great song one of favorite Stones. It was either this or Jumpin Jack Flash that Keith recorded the guitar by dropping a mic into an acoustic guitar's sound hole direct to a cassette recorder.
@@stevemd6488 actually both songs
@David Gagne I heard it in the radio all the time. Without looking it up, I'll bet it made the Hot 100 most-played singles - and that would mean it was sold in stores.
Armando do you happen to know the B-side of this?
The interplay between Keith and Charlie is very evident on this track! One of their best!
Only the Stones can make acoustic guitars sound like badass rock n' roll...
Jagger tried to join a protest march in London with the rest of the 60's youth culture. It didn't go as he planned and was instantly recognized by fans. In the early 60's The Stones and The Beatles weren't yet writing polically oriented songs, but by the mid 60"s they realized that musicians could put a voice on the times they were living in. So what could a poor boy do? He could sing for a rock and roll band.
One of the most powerful rock songs ever written
I've been listening to this song for 60years but I never realized that reference to 'kill the King' in the lyrics. Wow. Stones really were THE R&R bad boys of '60s
Maybe the first Punk Rock song>>???????????????
@@laurencepokras6657 I always thought the first punk rock song was My generation by the Who. The lyrics which go, Why don't you all just fade away, hope I die before I get old was quite punk for that time.
@@keithroberts4952 The only reason i thought this because this song caused fights all the time especially the first time they played it in Ireland...early 60s
Eerie/scary song... in an era where student protests got violent... captured the moment pretty well, I always thought...
Great song
Brilliant tune
I still remember the full, driving sound of this song when I saw them in LA many years back. They have a way of driving the music to your bones and sinews.
The whole Beggars Banquet album is fabulous. Check out "No Expectations", the slide guitar is probably the last thing Brian Jones ever recorded. The closer "Salt of the Earth is fantastic.
Have always loved this Stones song - such a cool beat and the message is spot on for those times as well as today with all the protests and unrest. Thanks guys for your reaction - always love watching you figure out the lyrics and images!🌿🧡
equally as appropriate today as it was in '68. Stones rule.
Such a weird off kilter vocal melody. One of mick's finest moments and musically this is HOLY TIER amazing. The layers, the riff, the drums.
One of their best, and they have many.
Brad & Lex, you’ll love their "Lets Spend The Night Together" !!!
Amazing song
Yesss the time is right for fighting in the street again boy😮🎉
It makes me dance that way too! It was their commentary on the upheaval in the US & many other places, but nothing like that was happening in London. Except musically, & fashion of course!
Oh the Stones man !!!!.
The worlds greatest rock band
Actually - *World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band.*
+1 for Brad on this one. If I remember correctly, this is about the '68 Paris riots and comparing it to Swinging London.
Riots all over the U.S.A. in 1968 after the assassination of MLK and RFK. and protest to the war. My hometime of Detroit burned to the ground in 1967 and never has recovered and has been a ghetto ever since.
@@uofm4life735 Been to Detroit. I hear ya. '68 was a miserable year but I still think the English Rolling Stones were thinking Europe here. But, no doubt there were massive riots in Detroit.
@@AnyangU I agree with you about the stones. I was just kinda going off about the horrible riots in the U.S.A.
Great song!!! RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE does a fine modern cover too!
This is off the best Stones album Beggars Banquet every song is a banger
Legend sez.........back in the day, "they" asked the BeaTles and Stones to write something commenting on social upheaval at the time. The BeaTles wrote "Revolution" and The Stones wrote this.
Love your reaction !! 💕💓💖
Awesome 😊
Combine this with Gimme Shelter and you've got a roadmap to the 70s as 69 fades away
70' s were so different it was nothing to go to bar have a fight in bar come back in have more drinks .take it like a man and no one got shot !!
I hope you guys have realized by now why Zeppelin, the Beatles, and the Stones are considered the holy trinity of music. They just had so many great songs that were so different from the others they did. It takes amazing talent to have such a broad range musically.
Yes asaloultey
What about PINK FLOYD???
@@laurencepokras6657 Sorry,,, Only room for three in the Trinity. 😂
beatles stones the who in the 60's zep purple sabbath 70's.
Amen brother👍👍👍👍🤟
Definitely in the Stones' top five along with Gimme Shelter and Jumpin' Jack Flash.
The busy-ness of the outro reminded of some late 60s Beatles music. Lots of "stuff" going on.
my fav. stones song...is nearly perfect time capsule
Maestro Fresh Wes - Let Your Backbone Slide
All acoustic guitar in this song.
it went over his head like those B-52's
Finally someone checks out this song. Thanks
❤️have not heard this in years
This song was inspired the song Dancing in the Streets
"Dancing in the Streets" came first, in 1965.
Yes, it's a Viet Nam war protest song. In the US students and young people were rising up in protest about the government waging an unjust war, but in sleepy London Town there wasn't enthusiasm for such actions because the British were not so engaged in the Viet Nam War. The only avenue to vent his objections and rage was to sing for a rock n roll band.
You are way off. The UK was in a recession and there were scarce jobs for young men at the time. This isn't about the US involvement in Vietnam at all. "What will a poor boy do?" There was societal upheaval all over, it's not always about the US.
Hey guys what's up! Stones rock! Stones just have an edge. You guys rock! God bless you! Peace!
It's tracks like “Street Fighting Man” that showcase the recording audaciousness and experimental ingenuity of the Stones as they entered their apex. In your spare time, research the creation and evolution of this thrashing rocker, which was initially recorded on Keith’s cassette machine. It features zero electric guitars, and that mammoth drum sound is simply the result of Charlie’s 1930s toy drum kit that he used for traveling and playing in his hotel room. Perhaps the most overlooked addition to the song is the Eastern Classical touches, as evident during its coda. Brian Jones plays a droning sitar and tamboura, while Traffic's Dave Mason provides a shehani.
A phenomonal piece of music. A song that is served no justice played live. You are one the few that get it. A production masterpiece.
Crazy thing is most people don’t realize it’s all acoustic guitar when they hear it. Classic Stones tune from the era when nobody did rock ‘n roll better IMO.
The Stones.
The only band that could do ANYTHING
This was the Rolling Stones 'call-to-arms' in 1968. It forced the Beatles hand to respond with their own "Revolution" reply.
Lex got the hippie spin dance flowing through her.
really wish more people would try and get reactors to listen to hidden gems that didn’t get a lot of airplay.. For the Stones I would pick “Sway” and “Torn and Frayed”
Great choices I think Torn and Frayed is their best song.
@@jlouis4407 I totally agree
One of my favorite "summertime" songs! Fun to play on guitar!
This was very representative of what was going on in 1968 when there were protests and riots in the streets, usually about protesting the Vietnam War. The song was a hit because the Stones were very hot by then after having big hits for four years and making many headlines. I don't really remember the song not being played or sold in stores. Songs about "revolution" were not so uncommon in 1968.
Martin Luther King and Robert F Kennedy were asesinatos that year, among many others, a revolution on those times, and this song encapsulates those times.
Great reaction. Who is the company that does these videos for The Rolling Stones? Every time I see a new one I am amazed at how great they are. The lyric videos for Paint it Black, Sympathy for the Devil, Give me Shelter and this are some of the best I've seen. Right up there with the Symbolic war video for Black Sabbath's War Pigs and Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the wall and more modern....Weird Al's Word Crimes.
you guys should do "Jumping Jack Flash" by the Stones
Teenage angst and frustration. The 60's were something else.
My name is called Disturbance, greatest line ever!
Drums: Charlie Watts
Bass drum: Dave Mason
Bass: Keith Richards
Acoustic guitars: Keith Richards
Vocals: Mick Jagger
Piano: Nicky Hopkins
Sitar: Brian Jones
Shehnai: Dave Mason
Tamboura: Brian Jones
the ability to protest the war in viet nam in sleepy London town was best accomplished by being in a R&R band and giving a message.
While the soldiers were fighting a war in Viet Nam, protesters of the war were simultaneously fighting the govt in the streets-literally. There was bloodshed. The protest movement, re many issues, was a big issue in the 60s. It is referenced, often obliquely, in many of the songs of that era.
This song is ion my rock playlist such a jam
It was a very disturbing time. I remember it well. I finished HS in '67.
Classics from this album (Beggars Banquet) are Stray Cat Blues / No Expectations / Dear Doctor / Parachute Woman! - Stray Cat Blues is also great Live with Mick Taylor between 1969-74.
My favorite part of this song has always been at 3:17 That long drawn out note.
peak stones
1960s Emergency vehicle vocals.
Once more Lex is spot on - The Stones hung out in Morocco and were influenced by the music there - Gypsy music.
killer song, killer band, killer host. Rock on Brad & Lex. my handle should read Lionhart 70. YT screwed around.
The live version from 1969's "Get Your Ya Ya's Out" is hypnotic.
The Rolling Stones, specifically Mick Jagger, had taken a very upfront approach to war in Vietnam in 1968. Mick Jagger joined the London protests against the war. This song was very confrontational call-to-arms, calling for revolution.."Think the time is right for palace revolution".
In contrast, The Beatles had stayed out of commenting on the war, or politics in general -- as was Paul McCartney's approach.
This song blindsided The Beatles, and caused John Lennon to quickly write their response "Revolution", which offered more of a watered-down view.
The live version from Brussels Affair 1973 is even more insane with its prog-like psychedelic freakout at the last minute.
Perfect song for 1968. Which is when Beggar's Banquet was released. Or "dropped" as they now say.
There were a lot of protests at that time over the Vietnam war. And Mick is saying that it's better for him to sing about it in a rock band than to riot in the streets. That's all. Great song. Great band. Thanks, cats.
But there were no riots in the streets in England. This is more about economic problems in the UK at the time.
@@farmerbill6855 The Stones toured America more than they did Britain, but you're right, there was a lot of political upheaval at the time. The Beatles recorded Revolution around that time also.
Yeah I think what he meant was with having the war footage in there is that's why they would want the revolutionist to stop the war kind of anti-war stuff yeah back in England there was a lot of different Hooligans they used to gather and have big street fights with lots of people it was pretty bizarre they were just having fun really hotels and talks about it yeah the mods and the Rockers they would show up at some touristy Beach area and get out there and just go to work on each other what I love is Brian Jones had that sitar in the background and then he's playing some kind of a northern African instrument there he got from Algeria or Morocco or something right at the end of the song yes so Keith was writing the song which was inspired by Tariq Ali who was doing an anti-war protest and then the police came in to stop like 25000 rioters but anyway but Brian Jones is playing at tambula and the sitar yeah when I was growing up this is one of my favorite songs of all time during that. P e r i o d Google will not put the word in so you got to spell it out hooray right Floridians take care down there in the dwindling Panhandle that's funny I say it's a panhandle you got a panhandle with a panhandle going towards Alabama okay you kids
Try The Spider and the Fly-no one ever mentions it or Under Assistant West Coast Promo Man. Classically underated.
I got this from a documentary, featuring quotes form Mick. Back in the day (late 60s), the Stones would play shows and all these guys would get violent in their enthusiasm for the music, mirrored by violent protests in the streets. The song reflects kind of what Lex pointed out. Angst about the world situation, challenging the establishment and not being able to do anything about it.
This was a protest song during the Viet Nam War.
The Beatles and Stones were asked to take part in the overthrowing of the government and they both said no thanks...The Beatles with "Revolution" and The Stones with this song.
"Jig Saw Puzzle"
The WAR BUMMER
Because this was 1968, and there were anti war marches in London at the time, to protest the Vietnam war. And to Keith Richards that meant revolution was in the air. So he wrote this song. Mick helped on some parts too. But I think it was mainly a Keith song.
the live version off of "Get yer Ya Ya's Out" is great
Suggestion: Ian Gillan 'Fighting Man' Make sure its the 1978 version with his screaming face on album cover. 'Gillain'
Seen lots of girls dancing like that to this song back in the day.
the ending i thought was forgotten and they said good enough
Richards made that sound with a guitar and some kind of non musical device from way back. It spun and gave the sound that raw sound you were mentioning Miss Lex.
all the guitars in this song are acoustics. No electrics. They overdrove the mics and mixing board to get that distortion.
As I recall, it was during this song that the Hells Angels, who the Stones hired for security, killed some people during the concert at Altamont in 1969-ish. The Stones didn't play this for many years afterward. Please correct me if I got it wrong. Too lazy right now to look it up. My favorite live version is from Get Yer Ya Yas Out -- ruclips.net/video/M8gPQWSXZ4I/видео.html
Brings back Vietnam memories. I was with the 104th Special Forces assigned to the 7th Calivary. This song would be played every morning at 5am prior to being dropped in Cambodia for morning recon.
This song defines "cool."
When this was released in the UK there was a real fear amongst students and others that we would be dragged into the war in Vietnam. As we did not have the anti-communist hatred paranoia of the USA the idea was causing serious consideration of direct action.
This was just one of several songs of its time.
Fun fact:
Drums sound huge but, basically a toy drum kit used, close mic'd.
Protest song - street fighters would fight for the people
Get Down----- Mick, Keith and company are coming for you...
The war footage is because this occurred during the Vietnam war and there were demonstrations against it. In France there was a student uprising in Britain a riot outside the US Embassy.
G sevennnn!
WOW, right over your heads huh.
♥
Brad: You need a bit of historical context for this one. In 1968 war and protests were happening all over the world except for the UK. I was 21 and living in London and it did indeed seem a sleepy town bent on compromise. Certainly not a place for a Street Fighting Man and in complete contrast to what was happening in our nearest neighbour France. So what could Mick do except play for a rock and roll band and try to highlight what was happening.
This track was issued in the US as a single in 1968 and (as far as I understand it) banned by loads of radio stations. It was belatedly released as a 45 in the UK in 1971 but only after Decca had lost the Stones to their own record label.
There's a great version by Rod Stewart from the album "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down" (1969) ruclips.net/video/ZwNpMjFV5Qs/видео.html with a band which contains Ron Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Mickey Waller among others. A rare case of both original and cover getting 10/10.
"Evry where I hear the sound of violent revolution"
Up down up down up down
Sounds like a police siren
Nee naww neee nawww
Thats how they wrote it.
@Henry Cole has it right about the London protests going on at the time. To Brad's point the Vietnam footage isn't really immediately relevant to the lyrics but whoever put the video together thought the war theme went well.. not sure. Not every protest in the 60's was around the war in Vietnam, it was a time of great social upheaval. Think about the what the 50's looked like and just ten years later the world looked very, very different.
In sleepy London town...the option is limited to singing rock'n'roll.
NiN - 1,000,000 the studio jam version is epic
He's saying he wants to fight the establishment in the streets instead of the jungle of nam.
Different genre. Check out Billy Joe Shaver. Live Forever. A tribute to his son.