This isn't racist, it's historical commentary about that which happened. Of course, it's not ethical, but it is accurate. So sad today that the pussification of culture doesn't allow art to speak. Art isn't about being safe. It's about exposing everything about humankind from the unethical, down and dirty to the upright and uplifting. Love or dislike the Stones, they were a major player back in the 70s, setting the tone for bands of that era and influencing hundreds of artists downstream. Great track. Great album.
So, we have a slaver, a lady of the house, and then the author himself having sexual encounters with a black person. We can also notice a progression in the nature of these relationships from fucked up (slaver-slave), to slightly fucked up (lady of the house-house boy), and then to kinda normal (author-black woman). It's almost like he's putting himself in this controversial lineage and interrogating his feelings about it. In the end, the attraction kinda overpowers any contemplations of the subject. These are fascinating lyrics that he kinda wrote on the spot. And the music is thumping and just as irresistible as these women seem to be for Jagger.
That's the way I have always taken the lyrics, he's not denying the history, just saying it the way he sees it. It's a tricky area when we judge art retrospectively. Mick's too smart not to have known it would cause controversy from the start, but I don't think that was his prime motivation, I think it was just to put it out there to generate these kinds of discussions, rather than shy away from the issues. He's an old man now, and I guess he just got tired of justifying this song, it's not like the band are short of hits to play.
@@MrDiddyDee Mick had a long affair with a black woman. Even had a child together. But he has MANY children! It's rumored Mick even had affairs with men. I think this song was for her and he just tried to add some history to it. That's all!
Charlie is absolutely the backbone of The Rolling Stones. Everything he does is in service to the song, never anything extra or show-offy. A brilliant minimalist in a way.
Charlie Watts, Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, Clem Burke, and Bruce Gary were all masterful at carrying a song without stealing attention from the melody or the other instrumentalists. Brilliant percussionists one and all (^,^)
At least in the rhythm section , which may well be the backbone . The most unique contribution was the simple pop on the snare drum 🥁 which for some reason , No one else seems to be able to duplicate . Yet that simple pop gave The Rollimg Stones something no other band could duplicate in terms of super effective rhythm . It's kind of a mystery. Sometimes less is definitely more .
I think the entire "Sticky Fingers" album is worth an examination. It is full of not just good tracks but great tracks and they come in all forms. From haunting, to bluesy to tongue in cheek to one of the most beautiful ballads ever written in "Wild Horses". If you took away every other Stones album and song and just gave us Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street, they would still be considered one of the greatest rock'n'roll bands of all time.
I would love to see Mr. Sayed react to Sway. That is an incredible piece of music and has one of the most beautiful guitar solos (Mick Taylor) by anyone ever. The song doesn't fade out so much as it fades up.
Absolutely. Nobody ever mentions this track but it an absolute jam. Fantastic outro with the guitars and piano. Heavy and full of arrogant swagger. My favorite song on an album without a bad tune. Right there with Sister Morphine as overshadowed masterpieces on this record.
Jagger’s first child is biracial- her mother is Marsha Hunt, beautiful model in the 60’s. At the time of this song, he was dating another beautiful black woman, Claudia Lennear- a well known backup singer who is said to be the inspiration for this song. So, while the lyrics speak to the atrocities of slavery, particularly of sexual nature, that Stones rhythm section, Bobby Keys on sax, Ian Stewart on piano kind of distract us from the darker aspects.
yes! Finally someone gets the freaking metaphor. It is about British exploitation/love of African culture, particularly the Rolling Stones love of black music. Good job man.
Piffle; it’s about sex with a brown-skinned woman (tastes so good, just like a young girl should). “Culture” doesn’t come into it. This is about basic lust.
I’ve never studied the lyrics of this brilliant track (just sang along with the chorus) and was really surprised by them when I read them, along with you. Great reaction/analysis.
Exile has some of my favorite Stones material! Sweet Virginia, Shine a Light, Rip This Joint... there's just so much good stuff there. I hope he checks it out at some point.
I think if you want to hear Jagger at his absolute best, check out his emotive vocals on “Let it Loose,” “Shine a Light,” “I Got the Blues,” and “Sister Morphine.”
Also don’t forget “Moonlight Mile” a wonderful bluesy ballad where Mick’s emotive singing and the bands amazing instrumentation bring it to another level.
I listened to and enjoyed this song for decades without ever reading the lyrics or understanding all of Mick's annunciation of them, and when I did it really was shocking.
I was a teenager in the 60s, and I was so glad when The Rolling Stones exploded onto the scene. They made the way clear for hundreds of other bands to follow after them.
Soon after, MUSCLE SHOALS WAS DECLARED THE HIT RECORDING CAPITAL OFTHE WORLD ! WORLD CHECK THEM OUT IN THE MOVIE. MUSCLE SHOALS. .AND A LOT WILL BE EXPLAINED!
I was struck by your linking this song's inter-racial love and the Stones deep sampling of R&B. I'm 74 and I've never heard anyone else make that connection. Thanks!
Mick said recently he wouldn't write these lyrics today which is telling. Really interesting to hear this dude's thoughts and he makes some well valid points. 50 years on and the tunes still going strong. Long live The Stones!
I'd heard that the Stones aren't playing the Brown Sugar in concert anymore because of modern perception, and perhaps a bit of embarrassment. It does get hard to justify the context. Still one of their best songs, especially the live versions.
@@williamdemerchant7295for better or worse….. we are no longer in an era where “ everything goes”….. even if it’s just an artistic expression of past injustices!
The Beatles were my band in the sixties until I heard Brown Sugar in 1971. To me, it was the definitive rock tune. From that point on I bought every Stones album and was totally hooked. Seen the band over 30 times from 1972 to 2019. Still like the Beatles, but the Stones will always be the greatest in my mind.
There are 2 kinds of people. Beatles people and Stones people. I love Beatles while experiencing the cosmic cube. If I just want to cut loose it's the Stones!
The song is rumoured to be about Duane Allman who spent long hours at Muscle Shoals Studio and liked the brown sugar (smack) and was quite the ladies man. Sixteen is consenting age in some states including Alabama where Muscle Shoals is located. A lot of artists start recording around midnight. Sticky Fingers, one of the most famous album covers in Rock.
As Kant said, "art can sublimate everything". The Stones made a lot of songs that told very dirty, very borderline stories, but made them beautiful and immersive with their melodies. They're geniuses.
I’ve learned something new tonight! Ok I never really paid attention to the lyrics except for “brown sugar, how come you taste so good” and I always thought wow I wonder how black women feel, maybe that’s a bit racist? But now listening to the rest of the lyrics, OMG he was subtly commenting on the ugliness of slavery as well so I have a completely new appreciation of this song. Thanks to you!
Another interesting angle on the lyrics is that I grew up with this and I don't think I ever knew what the lyrics in the verses were, just the chorus, and I can't tell you how many times all of us danced our asses off to this at a bar or a club or at a party or wherever or your local bar band covers it. It just seemed like another great Rolling Stones party song like Jumpin Jack Flash or Street Fighting Man or whatever. I don't think I knew anybody that knew what the lyrics in the verses were or talked about what any of it meant. It was just a party song. It seems to me that he's being critical of slavery but then jumping to modern time and acknowledging the irony that now it can happen consensually, whether it's sex or sharing of culture or whatever.
I always thought that the words were "how come you dance so good" ! And with the reference to "like a black girl should"' I thought it referred to Tina Turner giving Mic Jagger dance move lessons" because he was so impressed with her!
“I don’t think (lyrics) would fly now days.” This could easily be the biggest understatement I have ever heard in my life😂. Loved your reaction by the way.
In 8th grade some of the teachers had a cover band that played this at one of our dances. I was already familiar with the lyrics, so I was surprised they thought that was a good choice for 13 yo kids🤔
Syed, I always appreciate it when you react to a song from the Rolling Stones, and Brown Sugar represents their music perfectly. This song was the one that hooked me when I was ten years old. I had no idea what it was about, but the SOUND of these 5 musicians playing together live in a studio was the most irresistible thing I'd ever heard. What got me the most was the propulsive rhythm guitar and the wildness of the music. You pointed out the band's energy and rebellious nature. Mick Jagger famously said "being in a rock and roll band isn't about growing up... it's about NOT growing up." I'm thankful that the Rolling Stones were as devoted to making music as the bluesmen they idolized.
I love the tone of Keith's guitar in this song. That fuzz sounds so groovy, like a telecaster in melting lava, bubbling and muddy, and goes perfect with Bobby Keys' sax 🤤
This time frame, after let it bleed, sticky fingers, Exile on main st, the Stones were gods. Incidentally, the who with Whos next, Zeppelin with Zep 4, Sabbath with Master of Reality? My god.
Hitting the whole of this album or Exile on Main st Will garner you max views. Would love you to tackle all of it. Keep up the great work your reactions are always 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I read an interview with Jagger who claims it's an anti-slavery song. They don't play it anymore due to political incorrectness, but you're right about the Stones' magic. They were always considered outlaws (as mentioned in their song Jig Saw Puzzle) and loved for their so bad but so good vibe. Great reaction, I'm really enjoying your Stones dive, it's nice to hear your perspective on these songs that I've grown up with.
Syed... You are so right about the English musicians loving the black musicians music and appreciating it for what it was... at a time when it was hugely ignored in the United States... it took British bands like The Beatles and Stones to break big in American and at every press conference `PROMOTE THESE BLACK ARTISTS.... and of course their record sales of the covers put money into the Black artists pockets. That was the great thing All the British Blues, R&B (The original R&B - Not the one you were bought up on) and pop bands took with them to America. An appreciation and acknowledgement of that legacy. Keep on Rocking
Claudia Lanier was also a back up singer on the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with Joe cocker and Leon Russell among many others including Rita Coolidge.
The haunting Moonlight Mile. and Wild Horses, as well as the jazz riff's in the epic Can't You Hear Me Knocking, all make Sticky Fingers a great album.
I seen them in 1973 Buffalo ny with billy preston on piano jagger had such a good time they canceled 2 remaining shows to play our stadium, also the famous pic of mick in a bathrobe, hair wraped in a towel in a elevator by the famous ann lebawitch was in i believe time or rolling stone , quick fact mick didn't like his underware so backstage he put womens panties on underneath, true story t hey changed the lyrics around 1985 , when they played live, but it's still rock & roll & I like it luv your reactions, you have a knack that others don't about most songs luv from BFLO NY
Of course the Stones owed nearly everything to the 'sweetness' of black culture in the 60s; Blues, R&B, Soul, etc, but let's not forget the old 'brown sugar heroin', which many of them fell down the rabbit hole for a spell; and not just the Stones, but also John Lennon, Lou Reed, David Bowie, James Taylor, and many, many others. So this song oozes layers of meaning.and some history too; leaning mainly towards the "debt of appropriation", or that perhaps"imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"... Also in the mix: Jagger's first child is half black; Tina Turner literally taught Mick Jagger how to dance and move onstage, which is a huge part of his whole 'thing'; later Mick dated the singer Claudia Lennear; so you could say the boy's got's their fingers in the puddin'... ;)
A really good old song about an interracial relationship is a song written by hot chocolate called brother Louie . The most popular version that made it a huge hit was performed by a band called "Stories". I highly recommend a listen .
CHECK OUT THE LIVE VERSION FROM THE FONDA THEATER (45TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT FOR STICK FINGERS). THEY DON'T DO BROWN SUGAR ANY MORE...BUT STILL DO UNDER MY THUMB FROM TIME TO TIME..
Great reaction once again Syed. You've hit peak era Stones here. The opening track to their near perfect STICKY FINGERS album. Check out the song that followed it on the album: "Sway".
If you ever have a chance to go to the Motown Museum in Detroit, it's a great experience. I was there a few years ago and they talk about how bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin introduced white American audiences to black American music. In the 1950s and earlier there was heavy segregation of American radio by the programmers who picked the music they would play. Radio stations that were aimed at white audiences played music by white performers (Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, etc.). And radio for black audiences played not just black American music, but usually played black music of the region. Thus, a black station in New Orleans would play different music than black stations in Memphis or Detroit or Chicago. But all of those records played on different American radio stations were exported to England, and they were heard by everyone. The teenage musicians that would grow up to be in Zeppelin, the Beatles, and the Stones were hearing all of those sounds: Motown, Delta Blues, Soul, R&B, Gospel, and roots music. Often times they did fairly minimal covers of those songs and recorded them on their albums, which then came back to America and were played on those radio stations for white audiences for the first time. America is many things. It never has been (and likely never will be) perfect. And it seems like a shame that it took British musicians getting tuned in and turned on by music made by other Americans to be heard from coast to coast in this country.
I only got wind of these lyrics in the last year or so. I always heard 'how come you dance so good' and assumed the lyrics were about being in a nightclub watching a black dancer.
Brown sugar was also slang for ""herion"" jus' chk out Keith Richards eyes, were heavily indulging @ tha' time! Luv ❤️ yr synopsis u give to each track. Xxx.
One of my favorite songs from The Rolling Stones!!! You are right. It's about interracial love which was outlawed in America. The Rolling Stones were bucking up against the white men system in America.
The film depicts some of the Madison Square Garden concert later featured on the 1970 live album, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert, as well as Charlie Watts and a donkey filmed on the M6 motorway near Birmingham during a photography session for the album cover. It also shows the Stones at work in Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses," and footage of Ike and Tina Turner opening for the Stones at their Madison Square Garden concert, to Mick Jagger's comment, "It's nice to have a chick occasionally." IMDb Gimme Shelter article.
They used to say that the difference, in image, between The Beatles and The Stones was that The Beatles wanted to hold your hand but The Stones wanted to get your knickers off!
You should hear the alternate take they did of this song, featuring the one and only Eric Clapton as a special guest guitarist. Great slide playing, and even a solo right after the saxophone play did theirs! Here it is: ruclips.net/video/GuVax7iMM6Y/видео.html
You keep winning me over with your intelligent, thoughtful, and yet still hip considerations of kick-ass rock tracks! This is a banger fer shure. Thanks for not walking/talking on eggshells about it or, worse, virtue-signaling like some intolerant reviewers might do! Since you've passed the anti-woke test, lol, try the B-side of this, "Bitch," next. It's actually not controversial, except maybe for that word, but, man, you want some more of that vitality and raw rebellious energy you justifiably just praised them for? Dude, "Bitch."
After this and your Gimme Shelter review, you're spot on about the Stones' layering. In may ways, they're the antithesis of Zeppelin (who I also love). Zep is a "power quartet" and one of the joys of Zeppelin is listening to just one of the four for the whole track -- though they obviously have additional tracks, especially Jones. But if you're loving the layers, all I have to say is Exile on Main St, my brother, Exile on Main St.
That is the most iconic opening riff to a song ever, although which Keith Richard's riff isn't iconic? They all are, and he's a true musical genius. Not to mention the totally unique and groundbreaking style and unbridled enthusiasm of Mick Jagger. And you're right about this song. They have said as much, tongue in cheek as well as calling out such behaviors BUT, sadly, in recent years, the Stones have stopped performing this iconic song due to the public wrong perception as if they would ever be praising slavery, etc. In any case, ICONS. Great reaction
This isn't racist, it's historical commentary about that which happened. Of course, it's not ethical, but it is accurate. So sad today that the pussification of culture doesn't allow art to speak. Art isn't about being safe. It's about exposing everything about humankind from the unethical, down and dirty to the upright and uplifting. Love or dislike the Stones, they were a major player back in the 70s, setting the tone for bands of that era and influencing hundreds of artists downstream. Great track. Great album.
So, we have a slaver, a lady of the house, and then the author himself having sexual encounters with a black person. We can also notice a progression in the nature of these relationships from fucked up (slaver-slave), to slightly fucked up (lady of the house-house boy), and then to kinda normal (author-black woman).
It's almost like he's putting himself in this controversial lineage and interrogating his feelings about it. In the end, the attraction kinda overpowers any contemplations of the subject. These are fascinating lyrics that he kinda wrote on the spot. And the music is thumping and just as irresistible as these women seem to be for Jagger.
That's the way I have always taken the lyrics, he's not denying the history, just saying it the way he sees it. It's a tricky area when we judge art retrospectively. Mick's too smart not to have known it would cause controversy from the start, but I don't think that was his prime motivation, I think it was just to put it out there to generate these kinds of discussions, rather than shy away from the issues. He's an old man now, and I guess he just got tired of justifying this song, it's not like the band are short of hits to play.
@@MrDiddyDee Mick had a long affair with a black woman. Even had a child together. But he has MANY children! It's rumored Mick even had affairs with men. I think this song was for her and he just tried to add some history to it. That's all!
He's also implicating himself as a beneficiary of the legacy of slavery.
This song been raising eyebrows for fifty years. Outrageous lol. Awesome track. Peak stones.
This is one of the most famous riffs in rock history! Incredible tune.
Charlie is absolutely the backbone of The Rolling Stones. Everything he does is in service to the song, never anything extra or show-offy. A brilliant minimalist in a way.
Charlie Watts, Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, Clem Burke, and Bruce Gary were all masterful at carrying a song without stealing attention from the melody or the other instrumentalists. Brilliant percussionists one and all (^,^)
At least in the rhythm section , which may well be the backbone . The most unique contribution was the simple pop on the snare drum 🥁 which for some reason , No one else seems to be able to duplicate . Yet that simple pop gave The Rollimg Stones something no other band could duplicate in terms of super effective rhythm . It's kind of a mystery. Sometimes less is definitely more .
@@tommurphree5630 only rock and roll band u can dance to
I think the entire "Sticky Fingers" album is worth an examination. It is full of not just good tracks but great tracks and they come in all forms. From haunting, to bluesy to tongue in cheek to one of the most beautiful ballads ever written in "Wild Horses". If you took away every other Stones album and song and just gave us Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street, they would still be considered one of the greatest rock'n'roll bands of all time.
Right!! And I would put Sticky Fingers on top because Exile feels a bit more scattered and Fingers is more concise! But yeah, top Stones there!!
I would love to see Mr. Sayed react to Sway. That is an incredible piece of music and has one of the most beautiful guitar solos (Mick Taylor) by anyone ever. The song doesn't fade out so much as it fades up.
Absolutely. Nobody ever mentions this track but it an absolute jam. Fantastic outro with the guitars and piano. Heavy and full of arrogant swagger. My favorite song on an album without a bad tune. Right there with Sister Morphine as overshadowed masterpieces on this record.
I saw a 12min yes 12 version of this on the MCG in 95. Utterly epic. 50000 peeps screaming every word.
Jagger’s first child is biracial- her mother is Marsha Hunt, beautiful model in the 60’s. At the time of this song, he was dating another beautiful black woman, Claudia Lennear- a well known backup singer who is said to be the inspiration for this song. So, while the lyrics speak to the atrocities of slavery, particularly of sexual nature, that Stones rhythm section, Bobby Keys on sax, Ian Stewart on piano kind of distract us from the darker aspects.
Mick had affairs with everyone...including men.
The darker aspects...
Seriously !
Once you savor it, Brown Sugar's your favorite.
yes! Finally someone gets the freaking metaphor. It is about British exploitation/love of African culture, particularly the Rolling Stones love of black music. Good job man.
Right.
Piffle; it’s about sex with a brown-skinned woman (tastes so good, just like a young girl should). “Culture” doesn’t come into it. This is about basic lust.
@@helenespaulding7562 lol
yes, and also Jagger's love for black ladies... I don't blame him at all
@@JulioLeonFandinho Not just the ladies! 😉
I love this song its always been real history and the best of the rolling stones and pure rock and roll !!!
I’ve never studied the lyrics of this brilliant track (just sang along with the chorus) and was really surprised by them when I read them, along with you. Great reaction/analysis.
This one and Exile deserve a whole album reaction of yours🎸
Exile has some of my favorite Stones material! Sweet Virginia, Shine a Light, Rip This Joint... there's just so much good stuff there. I hope he checks it out at some point.
Exile is my fav album.
@@NathanThurberMusicMy man👊🏾
You nailed it...its about the musical influence, too.
Stones lyrics are at their best when they push the boundaries. If you want to get another really controversial one, check out "Some Girls"
Or Stray Cat Blues!
Also. Not so much sexually but on the drug angle, the song Dead Flowers was pretty brave kinda ballsy
Another word des8 Some Girls...is Gold Digger just sayin.
I think if you want to hear Jagger at his absolute best, check out his emotive vocals on “Let it Loose,” “Shine a Light,” “I Got the Blues,” and “Sister Morphine.”
Also don’t forget “Moonlight Mile” a wonderful bluesy ballad where Mick’s emotive singing and the bands amazing instrumentation bring it to another level.
I listened to and enjoyed this song for decades without ever reading the lyrics or understanding all of Mick's annunciation of them, and when I did it really was shocking.
I was a teenager in the 60s, and I was so glad when The Rolling Stones exploded onto the scene. They made the way clear for hundreds of other bands to follow after them.
The look on your face when you saw what the lyrics of the first verse were was classic.
This era was when the Stones earned the title of the World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band. They were nasty, lyrically & musically. ✌️❤️🎶
Soon after, MUSCLE SHOALS WAS DECLARED THE HIT RECORDING CAPITAL OFTHE WORLD
! WORLD CHECK THEM OUT IN THE MOVIE. MUSCLE SHOALS.
.AND A LOT WILL BE EXPLAINED!
I was struck by your linking this song's inter-racial love and the Stones deep sampling of R&B. I'm 74 and I've never heard anyone else make that connection. Thanks!
Mick said recently he wouldn't write these lyrics today which is telling. Really interesting to hear this dude's thoughts and he makes some well valid points. 50 years on and the tunes still going strong. Long live The Stones!
I'd heard that the Stones aren't playing the Brown Sugar in concert anymore because of modern perception, and perhaps a bit of embarrassment. It does get hard to justify the context. Still one of their best songs, especially the live versions.
@@williamdemerchant7295for better or worse….. we are no longer in an era where “ everything goes”….. even if it’s just an artistic expression of past injustices!
The Beatles were my band in the sixties until I heard Brown Sugar in 1971. To me, it was the definitive rock tune. From that point on I bought every Stones album and was totally hooked. Seen the band over 30 times from 1972 to 2019. Still like the Beatles, but the Stones will always be the greatest in my mind.
There are 2 kinds of people. Beatles people and Stones people. I love Beatles while experiencing the cosmic cube. If I just want to cut loose it's the Stones!
Awesome job bro. Best I've heard this song broken down. Nice
💯 💯 💯
Richard's dirty background vocals are perfect
The song is rumoured to be about Duane Allman who spent long hours at Muscle Shoals Studio and liked the brown sugar (smack) and was quite the ladies man. Sixteen is consenting age in some states including Alabama where Muscle Shoals is located. A lot of artists start recording around midnight. Sticky Fingers, one of the most famous album covers in Rock.
As Kant said, "art can sublimate everything". The Stones made a lot of songs that told very dirty, very borderline stories, but made them beautiful and immersive with their melodies. They're geniuses.
My favorite Stones song, great album all the way through.
I saw The Stones in 1989..... Spectacular show from one of the all time greatest bands.
I’ve learned something new tonight! Ok I never really paid attention to the lyrics except for “brown sugar, how come you taste so good” and I always thought wow I wonder how black women feel, maybe that’s a bit racist? But now listening to the rest of the lyrics, OMG he was subtly commenting on the ugliness of slavery as well so I have a completely new appreciation of this song. Thanks to you!
I wouldn’t use the word subtle for those lyrics!
Yes! Slavery! but it went under the radar for a long time. I wonder why ppl thought it was about Heroin 🤔the denial of it🤔
😂🤣 you can't make this up,the denail of it😇
One of the greatest rock singles of all time...this tune is beyond epic
You can see present day Claudia Lennear in the documentary '20 Feet from Stardom', which also includes Merry Clayton of Give Me Shelter fame.
This whole album is amazing, and “Get Yer Ya Yas Out “ is one of the best live albums ever
Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ is a must listen.
Yes…can’t believe he hasn’t checked that out.
Another interesting angle on the lyrics is that I grew up with this and I don't think I ever knew what the lyrics in the verses were, just the chorus, and I can't tell you how many times all of us danced our asses off to this at a bar or a club or at a party or wherever or your local bar band covers it. It just seemed like another great Rolling Stones party song like Jumpin Jack Flash or Street Fighting Man or whatever. I don't think I knew anybody that knew what the lyrics in the verses were or talked about what any of it meant. It was just a party song.
It seems to me that he's being critical of slavery but then jumping to modern time and acknowledging the irony that now it can happen consensually, whether it's sex or sharing of culture or whatever.
The seventies were a good time to be a teenager......
It was bloody brilliant. I had the time of my life.
You got that right, son
I always thought that the words were "how come you dance so good" ! And with the reference to "like a black girl should"' I thought it referred to Tina Turner giving Mic Jagger dance move lessons" because he was so impressed with her!
earning their title as the 'bad boys of rock' 😉
Have listened and loved this song since it came out. Honestly didn't know half the word until today.
Most ppl didn't
“I don’t think (lyrics) would fly now days.” This could easily be the biggest understatement I have ever heard in my life😂. Loved your reaction by the way.
In 8th grade some of the teachers had a cover band that played this at one of our dances. I was already familiar with the lyrics, so I was surprised they thought that was a good choice for 13 yo kids🤔
True classic! Teenagers, Rockin' in the basements of the '70s. We were so lucky. Music of our time!!
Syed, I always appreciate it when you react to a song from the Rolling Stones, and Brown Sugar represents their music perfectly.
This song was the one that hooked me when I was ten years old. I had no idea what it was about, but the SOUND of these 5 musicians playing together live in a studio was the most irresistible thing I'd ever heard.
What got me the most was the propulsive rhythm guitar and the wildness of the music.
You pointed out the band's energy and rebellious nature. Mick Jagger famously said "being in a rock and roll band isn't about growing up...
it's about NOT growing up."
I'm thankful that the Rolling Stones were as devoted to making music as the bluesmen they idolized.
I love the tone of Keith's guitar in this song. That fuzz sounds so groovy, like a telecaster in melting lava, bubbling and muddy, and goes perfect with Bobby Keys' sax 🤤
This time frame, after let it bleed, sticky fingers, Exile on main st, the Stones were gods.
Incidentally, the who with Whos next, Zeppelin with Zep 4, Sabbath with Master of Reality? My god.
The distorted Sax is unparalleled in rock music to this day!
You are the best hands down sir...thank you again!
Yeah it was at some point in the late 90s that this song suddenly disappeared from the classic rock radio stations, at least where I lived.
Hitting the whole of this album or Exile on Main st Will garner you max views. Would love you to tackle all of it. Keep up the great work your reactions are always 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Great track.
Recorded in December 1969 during their '69 tour. Three days at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. They also recorded Wild Horses and You Gotta Move.
One of the finest tracks ever! Full stop! Keep rocking!
Exile on Main Street is the peak. :-)
I read an interview with Jagger who claims it's an anti-slavery song. They don't play it anymore due to political incorrectness, but you're right about the Stones' magic. They were always considered outlaws (as mentioned in their song Jig Saw Puzzle) and loved for their so bad but so good vibe. Great reaction, I'm really enjoying your Stones dive, it's nice to hear your perspective on these songs that I've grown up with.
Syed... You are so right about the English musicians loving the black musicians music and appreciating it for what it was... at a time when it was hugely ignored in the United States... it took British bands like The Beatles and Stones to break big in American and at every press conference `PROMOTE THESE BLACK ARTISTS.... and of course their record sales of the covers put money into the Black artists pockets. That was the great thing All the British Blues, R&B (The original R&B - Not the one you were bought up on) and pop bands took with them to America. An appreciation and acknowledgement of that legacy. Keep on Rocking
You could talk for weeks about songs recorded at Muscle Shoals
There's a great documentary ad about Muscle Shoals studio, It's worth checking out it might even be on RUclips
Claudia Lanier was also a back up singer on the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with Joe cocker and Leon Russell among many others including Rita Coolidge.
Whatever you think of the lyrics this is such an amazing song to listen to,brilliant music!
Brown Sugar ROCKS!
The Stones along with The Beatles ruled the 60's ! PEACE !
The haunting Moonlight Mile. and Wild Horses, as well as the jazz riff's in the epic Can't You Hear Me Knocking, all make Sticky Fingers a great album.
Your reaction to the opening lyrics is priceless!
Forever love for the awe-inspiring Claudia Lennear ❤️ 💕 Excellent reaction and interpretation, well done indeed 👏 👍
"It feels wrong and right at the same time" is a great analysis of this song.
The great opening studio riff has never been duplicated since
My word that was kick ass rock n roll.The stones are epic.
I seen them in 1973 Buffalo ny with billy preston on piano jagger had such a good time they canceled 2 remaining shows to play our stadium, also the famous pic of mick in a bathrobe, hair wraped in a towel in a elevator by the famous ann lebawitch was in i believe time or rolling stone , quick fact mick didn't like his underware so backstage he put womens panties on underneath, true story t hey changed the lyrics around 1985 , when they played live, but it's still rock & roll & I like it luv your reactions, you have a knack that others don't about most songs luv from BFLO NY
Because of the lyrics the Stones were pressured a couple years ago to stop performing this song live….Bring it back!
They played it in philly at the concert before Hackney Diamonds tour.
Such goddamn hypocrisy. Musnt let the brutal disgusting patriarchal history of exploitation and genocide sully our present day sensibilities. 🤬
It's weird to me, hearing Brown Sugar without Sway coming next. Talk about Mick Taylor solos, it's got two.
You're on fire man!
Might as well cover a song called "Some Girls" by the Stones. LOL
As a Stones fan i like your comments!
Of course the Stones owed nearly everything to the 'sweetness' of black culture in the 60s; Blues, R&B, Soul, etc, but let's not forget the old 'brown sugar heroin', which many of them fell down the rabbit hole for a spell; and not just the Stones, but also John Lennon, Lou Reed, David Bowie, James Taylor, and many, many others. So this song oozes layers of meaning.and some history too; leaning mainly towards the "debt of appropriation", or that perhaps"imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"... Also in the mix: Jagger's first child is half black; Tina Turner literally taught Mick Jagger how to dance and move onstage, which is a huge part of his whole 'thing'; later Mick dated the singer Claudia Lennear; so you could say the boy's got's their fingers in the puddin'... ;)
that's so much bull shit
A really good old song about an interracial relationship is a song written by hot chocolate called brother Louie . The most popular version that made it a huge hit was performed by a band called "Stories". I highly recommend a listen .
The Rolling Stones did get their music from Black Southern Blues and also when they toured the U.S., did tour the south and date all of the races
Absolutely love it👏👏👏👏
This is one of my top 5 Stones’ tunes.
CHECK OUT THE LIVE VERSION FROM THE FONDA THEATER (45TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT FOR STICK FINGERS). THEY DON'T DO BROWN SUGAR ANY MORE...BUT STILL DO UNDER MY THUMB FROM TIME TO TIME..
Great reaction once again Syed. You've hit peak era Stones here. The opening track to their near perfect STICKY FINGERS album. Check out the song that followed it on the album: "Sway".
If you ever have a chance to go to the Motown Museum in Detroit, it's a great experience. I was there a few years ago and they talk about how bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin introduced white American audiences to black American music. In the 1950s and earlier there was heavy segregation of American radio by the programmers who picked the music they would play. Radio stations that were aimed at white audiences played music by white performers (Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, etc.). And radio for black audiences played not just black American music, but usually played black music of the region. Thus, a black station in New Orleans would play different music than black stations in Memphis or Detroit or Chicago.
But all of those records played on different American radio stations were exported to England, and they were heard by everyone. The teenage musicians that would grow up to be in Zeppelin, the Beatles, and the Stones were hearing all of those sounds: Motown, Delta Blues, Soul, R&B, Gospel, and roots music. Often times they did fairly minimal covers of those songs and recorded them on their albums, which then came back to America and were played on those radio stations for white audiences for the first time. America is many things. It never has been (and likely never will be) perfect. And it seems like a shame that it took British musicians getting tuned in and turned on by music made by other Americans to be heard from coast to coast in this country.
I only got wind of these lyrics in the last year or so. I always heard 'how come you dance so good' and assumed the lyrics were about being in a nightclub watching a black dancer.
I think only because most of the censors couldn't understand the lyrics or the inference.
Excellent analysis.
Oh, trust me we knew what this song was what we heard it I was 13 and I got it
The Mick Taylor years were the best Stones years. Every album was incredible
Great reaction and comments! Ike and Tina Turner approved the lyrics and weren't too concerned.
Brown sugar was also slang for ""herion"" jus' chk out Keith Richards eyes, were heavily indulging @ tha' time! Luv ❤️ yr synopsis u give to each track. Xxx.
Metafor for Heroin
Brown sugar , wild horses , take a walk on the wild side, Stairway to heaven etc etc
Dark era after the hippie era , many died.
One of my favorite songs from The Rolling Stones!!! You are right. It's about interracial love which was outlawed in America. The Rolling Stones were bucking up against the white men system in America.
It was about interracial sex. I don't think love came into it.
This was Recorded in Muscle Shoals with the Swampers. No kidding, 😎
The film depicts some of the Madison Square Garden concert later featured on the 1970 live album, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert, as well as Charlie Watts and a donkey filmed on the M6 motorway near Birmingham during a photography session for the album cover. It also shows the Stones at work in Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses," and footage of Ike and Tina Turner opening for the Stones at their Madison Square Garden concert, to Mick Jagger's comment, "It's nice to have a chick occasionally." IMDb Gimme Shelter article.
They used to say that the difference, in image, between The Beatles and The Stones was that The Beatles wanted to hold your hand but The Stones wanted to get your knickers off!
Hey I like your understanding of music.
Me falling deep in it at age of 12...
In 1973
At 74 --I STUDY HISTORY IN GREAT DETAIL ----for 50 years ----so I research my facts well !
You should hear the alternate take they did of this song, featuring the one and only Eric Clapton as a special guest guitarist. Great slide playing, and even a solo right after the saxophone play did theirs!
Here it is: ruclips.net/video/GuVax7iMM6Y/видео.html
You keep winning me over with your intelligent, thoughtful, and yet still hip considerations of kick-ass rock tracks! This is a banger fer shure. Thanks for not walking/talking on eggshells about it or, worse, virtue-signaling like some intolerant reviewers might do! Since you've passed the anti-woke test, lol, try the B-side of this, "Bitch," next. It's actually not controversial, except maybe for that word, but, man, you want some more of that vitality and raw rebellious energy you justifiably just praised them for? Dude, "Bitch."
This was no big deal lyrically when it came out in the early 70s
After this and your Gimme Shelter review, you're spot on about the Stones' layering. In may ways, they're the antithesis of Zeppelin (who I also love). Zep is a "power quartet" and one of the joys of Zeppelin is listening to just one of the four for the whole track -- though they obviously have additional tracks, especially Jones. But if you're loving the layers, all I have to say is Exile on Main St, my brother, Exile on Main St.
Hermoso tema !!! Uno de mis preferidos
You need to see Jagger dance to get the full effect. The lyrics also remind me that he was very fond of a hands-free Mars Bar. Allegedly. 😁
That is the most iconic opening riff to a song ever, although which Keith Richard's riff isn't iconic? They all are, and he's a true musical genius. Not to mention the totally unique and groundbreaking style and unbridled enthusiasm of Mick Jagger. And you're right about this song. They have said as much, tongue in cheek as well as calling out such behaviors BUT, sadly, in recent years, the Stones have stopped performing this iconic song due to the public wrong perception as if they would ever be praising slavery, etc. In any case, ICONS. Great reaction