First Listen - "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones (Hip Hop Fan Reacts)

[@scottlbroco]

Your videos of the Rolling Stones are always appreciated, Syed. Thank you! "Honky Tonk Women" hit number one in 1969 and remains the biggest selling hit single the Stones have had in their 60 year existence. You're underrating it; Stones fans consider it a top 10 song. if you put it on your personal playlist, I'm sure it'll grow on you. This is the FIRST Stones song that Mick Taylor played on. The Stones were recording the country version of this song, and in between takes, Mick Taylor played some blues licks that astonished Keith, because he'd only imagined it as a country song. They immediately changed course and recorded it as a country-blues flavored rock song. They rushed it out as a stand alone single, and then Mick Taylor helped them finish their "Let it Bleed" album by playing on 2 of the album's songs, "Country Honk" and "Live with Me". It's got a great opening with Stones' producer Jimmy Miller (1968 to 1973) on cowbell, then Charlie Watts on drums. Charlie said it's all wrong until Keith comes in on guitar and locks the beat in place. A unique thing about the Stones is that the band doesn't follow the drummer. The time keeper in the band is Keith Richards, so they all follow his guitar. Charlie plays off the beat in Keith's riffs, and Bill Wyman's bass plays off Keith's chords, giving their songs a one of a kind rhythm dynamic. In the mid seventies, the Stones would open their shows with "Honky Tonk Women", with just Keith playing the raunchy opening riff. Charlie would come in and just the 2 of them would play for up to half a minute, drawing out the tension until the rest of the band joined in. Here's a link to hear what this sounds like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6WoYoitlrqBhck&feature=share

[@huascar66]

Great comment. However, there was an interview with the late Brian Jones' father shortly after Brian died. In the interview with Mr. Jones, he stated that he and Mrs. Jones went to visit Brian at Cotchford Farm (the only home Brian ever owned) shortly before Brian was sacked by Mick, Keith, and Charlie. While there, Brian played an acetate of Honky Tonk Women. Mr. Jones said that Brian had played on it and that it was Brian's arrangement. I often wonder if there is somewhere in a bin somewhere a tape of the song with Brian.

[@scottlbroco]

@@huascar66 That's a thought provoking idea; there's probably countless surprises on their unreleased recordings that the Stones don't remember and we can't imagine. You might know that "Loving Cup" was begun on the Let It Bleed sessions, but they weren't inspired to finish it then, and it didn't fit the vibe of the album. So it didn't get completed until the Stones were working on Exile On Main Street. There's a lot of Stones songs that weren't finished until years after they were begun. I wonder how many great songs they've never completed because they forgot them after setting them aside to work on something else.

[@LexwellLavers]

You can't go wrong with The Stones. Beggar's Banquet through Some Girls is my sweet spot album period for them. Their Blues/Country blend songs are among my favorites. Do the Sticky Fingers album.

[@dynjarren8355]

This is amazing guitar play by Richards!

[@keeponrollin7922]

I love side 2 of tattoo you

[@pamelah848]

They have the knack for writing and performing songs that you instantly like, don't they?

[@johnrosemeyer]

I can remember the first time I heard this. In my car, 1969. I couldn't get enough of it.

[@richarddefortuna2252]

Their return to form after Their Satanic Majesties Request was Jumpin' Jack Flash, the single immediately preceeding the album Beggars Banquet, which included the song Sympathy for the Devil. This song, Honky Tonk Women, was actually the first track with Mick Taylor, during the recording of Let It Bleed, the follow up to Beggars Banquet, and was the single issued a few months in advance of that album.

[@brianfunk2695]

Verse 3 is from the live album “Get Your YA Ya’s Out”

[@SpaceCattttt]

The Beatles also had other musicians on their records. "Eleanor RIgby" has a string quartet. "Penny Lane" has a piccolo player. "Within Without You" has a group of Indian musicians. "A Day in the Life" and "All You Need Is Love" have a full orchestra. Eric Clapton plays on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". And Billy Preston plays keys on both the Abbey Road and Let it Be albums.

[@cazgerald9471]

and George Martin played on tracks - unless he's not counted as other

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@cazgerald9471 Some count him as the "fifth Beatle" which might confuse things. He was a regular contributor to their work instead of just being a hired session musician or guest artist, but I personally count him since he wasn't actually "in" the band.

[@AlBarzUK]

Brian Jones (Stones) also played sax on a Beatles track.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@AlBarzUK Yes. That was on "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number). I just mentioned a few examples, really, because there are so many session players all over the Beatles' discography.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@hermesalonso2310 What do you mean? I mentioned Billy.

[@neilmartin99]

TURN IT UPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@markhodge7]

Steel Wheels concert tour December, 1989. Two 50 foot, rotund, inflated Honky Tonk Women, each on opposite sides of the stage. When Honky Tonk started, Mick ran back and forth to each, pulling down on a big lever that got them slithering and shaking. It was absolutely hilarious. This was an enormous stage and Mick covered every inch. Such energy.

[@LexwellLavers]

Steel Wheels was probably their last great album all the way through. I played the sh*t out of that album. Bridges To Babylon has some really good tracks as well, that's the last tour I saw from them.

[@wadsworthaaron]

I saw that tour in Indianapolis (Living Colour opened... Vernon Reid can shred on lead guitar as well as anyone in the biz). Great show!

[@tracyyork1428]

I saw that tour in Dallas, and the two 50 foot gyrating floozies, shaking to the beat, was a definite highlight. 😊

[@jvblhc]

I saw the same thing a year before you when I went to Shea Stadium!

[@hannahhoney7906]

Angie and Ruby awesome inflatables. Steel Wheels was a fantastic tour, got to see the opening show in Philly, and the closing show in Atlantic City.

[@damonhines8187]

I first heard this at a party in Grade 7 or 8, the new Stones single! It blew me TF away!! So raw and gritty, so beautifully put together then allowed to teeter on the back edge of the truck-bed as they careen through the rough rural roads. A bar-band and jam classic that can never entirely grow tired or stale because...quality, baby!! Celebrating the seamy, seedy underbelly of life on top. 😅😂🎉❤✨️🕊😊

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

This track NEVER fails to blow me away. No not that "blow". Never drank, never did drugs, etc. Didn't need to, but... This song is genius. I started laughing with some of your commentary almost immediately. Thanks for airing it out and your image of it. As we say here in Texas; Y'all be safe.

[@ohfour-seven6228]

The fun part of this song is that it got heavy top 40 airplay. The album you are referring to is Their Satanic Majesties Request. It was pretty trippy and different from anything they ever put out. The standout track is 2000 Light Years From Home. It's incredible and very dance orientated. It was covered by a new wave band, Danse Society, in the 80's. And they kept the track very similar to the original, although at the time they had access to so much more elaborate electronics. Great song and definitely one to check out.

[@davidgagne3569]

Awesome track. Everything works. The guitars, the percussion and drums, the vocals all perfectly raggety.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

The Rolling Stones "Miss You" & "Fool To Cry"

[@alansmith7626]

that intro will stay with you forever! simple yet different and unique...

[@anthonyblakely399]

Love!!!! Love this song from the Rolling Stones. They bring that down-to-earth Southern Blues Rock!!!! Love it!!!!

[@jp1170]

YOU GOTTA DO “SISTER MORPHINE”

[@LexwellLavers]

Yep and Dead Flowers

[@dbadbt]

The song that made me realize the Beatles couldn't ever muster up this kind of swagger.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

Haha. So true. As brilliant as they are, The Beatles could never be as cool as The Stones.

[@marklerner8963]

Why Dob't We Do It In The Road

[@antonellavezzosi2635]

No way Stones Forever

[@Akamai2HI]

This was my favorite song for many, many years. Still love it.

[@lewstone5430]

The cowbell is on the off-beat, that’s why.

[@jpksilver]

What revived the Stones after Majesty was Keith learning about playing his guitar in G tuning. Flash was played in G as was Shelter and Knockin’ and Sugar and most of the bangers

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

Cowbell just seems right in this song. The instruments in this are so rich! And it was so right for The Rolling Stones at the time. Yeah, not in same league as Sympathy for the Devil or Gimme Shelter, but a fun Stones.

[@lisanowka8669]

This my favorite of all their song great to dance to ,funky as all get out ,second place tumblin dice

[@fan123casual8]

Great reaction. You hit the mail on the head with the word syncopation. This song really moves, but it’s got a kind of shuffle/bop to it. Really makes you tap your foot or bob your head (at the very least).

[@stevenmonte7397]

First song I ever played on the drums. I would sneak to play my brother's drums. Brings back memories!

[@johnwarde2409]

An important fact about this track is it's the first track that was played by Keith Richards in Open G tuning, which I believe had been shown to him by Ry Cooder. He then went on to use Open G in later tracks such as Brown Sugar and Start Me Up. He is famous for removing the bottom E string from his guitar when playing in Open G because he says it is not needed.

[@rikurodriguesneto6043]

Ringo said it best: "We were THE BEATLES, they WERE the Rolling Stones." :D

[@ajaxfernsby4078]

I’m thinking we’re hearing the “Ry Cooder” influence on Keith. He worked with them in ‘68 & ‘69. Also, he plays slide on Sister Morhpine. Check it out.

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

I think you are right about the 'Ry Cooder" influence.

[@chipjones817]

Hey Sy, great reaction. I first saw the Stones at the L.A. Coliseum. Before they sang this song, 50+ young ladies who were dressed up in shall we say provocative clothing and posed in a long line across the stage and as they played this song Jagger would sing to each of them, individually walking down the line of women. It was hilariously fun. That was one crazy day. And here I am talkin' and laughing about something that happened over 40 years ago. I've been a fan of the Stones for over 50 years. Since Satisfaction came out on the radio I've been a fan, much to the concern of my Mother, ha ha ha , there is noone like them

[@cazgerald9471]

Was that when Prince was booed offstage?

[@bigtip8371]

​​@@cazgerald9471 no he's talking about 1989, steel wheels tour prince was booed off stage in 1981, still life tour

[@cazgerald9471]

@@bigtip8371 I was just going by "something that happened over 40 years ago" which wouldn't be 1989. I wasn't at either show, so I'm not clued into the "50+ young ladies".

[@bigtip8371]

@@cazgerald9471 understood..I was just clarifying...I was at the 89 but not 81

[@chipjones817]

@@cazgerald9471 Yes. I was not on the ground but up in the stands. They tore up the turf and threw it at Prince. Chased him off the stage. He was singing crazy songs about Jxxking off and other crazy stuff. 1980 nobody liked that apparently.....great concert

[@eddiekoch3901]

Man, been listening to the Stones most of my life, they never get old.

[@dexterjankaren]

The woman background singer is actually Keith Richards. Jagger and Richards have great harmony.

[@lunadyana3330]

Hands down one of my fave Stone’s tunes

[@edwardmeradith2419]

The ‘Divorcée’ was allegedly Linda Eastman, who later became Linda McCartney

[@TylerD288]

Wow! Never knew that. Thanks.

[@mikefetterman6782]

The effect on his voice is a delay called slap back echo. The delay is very close to the original signal, causing almost a layered effect. Guitarists use this same effect on a lot of rock-a-billy records.

[@mikefetterman6782]

The beatles regularly had help. George Martin played a lot of keyboard on their early stuff, of course Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, and the London Philharmonic were used.

[@willchristopher1899]

The riff from this song came from Ry Cooder. Mick heard Ry playing the riff during one of the sessions and told Ry how much he liked it. Ry told him to take it if he wanted and used it lay down the entire song.

[@johncollier9280]

Love me some Honky Tonk Women 'n Jumpin' Jack Flash now. These guys got it all goin' on!

[@dannymoore6886]

I heard the country version that was on a different album. I think they called it Country Honk at the time. You can definitely hear Keith's love of country music in this song.

[@toddbyrnes2199]

The film The Rolling Stones at the max is great all the way through

[@dabrack9350]

They picked up the cowbell and these drums in Brazil - check out some samba.

[@rickeylucero3955]

They should have had you do a back to back.. Country Honk. Same song with a different lyric. And nothing is just a jam with this band. They do the tracks 40 times easy before they turn on the recorder. Nothing from Can't you Hear me Knocking is just a jam. They did it many many times before they start to record. Even the ending. As far as different from the Fab Four. This band is THEE most cover more genres authentically than any other band by far. Beggars Banquet to Emotional Rescue are unequaled in this respect. Well done!!

[@vicprovost2561]

The Original Bad Boys of Rock, strutting their stuff and always giving critics and censors back in the day, something to chew on. Great song and begins a marvelous period for them and Rock in general, we were bumming about what looked like a Beatles breakup up but these guys and all the great 70s bands were about to amaze us. Try Midnight Rambler for another classic Stones jam, the studio original is classic but try to see a live video of it from the late 60s or early 70s when Mick Taylor was still there, this song always had a life of its own live. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎸🎷🎶

[@bradyconnolly574]

Keith Richards met country legend Gram Parsons in ‘68, and I know Keith has cited Parsons as inspiration for the ‘71 jam Dead Flowers. I wonder if Parsons also had any influence on this ‘69 groove

[@lathedauphinot6820]

He did on “Wild Horses”. And Gram Parsons was with Richards when Parsons got flowers sent to him from his wife in the USA that arrived dead. They thought it was hilarious and wrote the song, according to Richards. Parsons gave him a general education on country music.

[@derraumdeuter3671]

My favourite stones song Ty for reacting

[@manuelmdemarco]

ONLY the stones could write this song

[@PedroLima-ip5zb]

Stray cat blues and monkey man. Check those

[@godot-whatyouvebeenwaitingfor]

1974 RIP Rolling Stones..

[@ls1959]

While the Satanic Majesties Request album was kind of panned by critics and critiqued for copying the Beatles, it still had some great songs on it. I highly recommend She's a Rainbow which has stood the test of time and is still being used in today's commercials. Plus it's one of those outside the box songs that you like.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

I always felt if a lesser band made Their Satanic, it would be hailed a psychedelic classic. But since it’s perceived as antithetical to The Stones’ sound, it gets dismissed as an inferior attempt at The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper. Indeed, it's unfocused, pretentious, and marred by the group’s legal issues and lack of a traditional producer (imagine if they had a George Martin helping them make this album) as they tried self-producing it. Moreover, many songs feel incomplete or never fully realized. That said, the high points are top-notch, even resulting in a few classics. Not as good as Between the Buttons, but it's a worthy successor to their baroque pop excursion, resulting in some of the best studio-augmented psychedelic music of the late 1960s. And who doesn't love that iconic album cover?

[@Bekka_Noyb]

fun unique song! ♥

[@lathedauphinot6820]

John Lennon, who could be very snide, said this was the only Rolling Stones song that wasn’t copied from The Beatles. I don’t know what Beatles song “Sympathy For The Devil” was copied from, but it is a unique song. I love “She had to heave me right across her shoulder, ‘cause I just can’t seem to drink you off my mind.” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and ‘Beggars Banquet’ starts 4 albums and 5 years of greatness, where the Stones could do no wrong, arguably the best streak of any band ever.

[@scottlbroco]

You are absolutely right. I love the Beatles and many other bands, but the Rolling Stones from 1968 to 1972 were the highest peak any rock and roll band ever reached! The great John Lennon felt threatened by the Stones because many people felt you couldn't simply love the (still) two greatest bands in rock and roll history. The Beatles were awesome. The Stones were awesomer.

[@hays9008]

Oh come on some early rivalry and beat up media shit about a feud. The two groups were friendly with billions of photos of them together, christ John Lennon is dancing in Symphony for the Devil clip on Stones Circus Show.

[@scottlbroco]

@@hays9008 You're right, they were all true friends. These days, Paul and Keith even have beach homes next door to each other on the U.S. East coast and have often met in the morning to share some weed. But still, John did feel somewhat threatened by the Stones as the only true rivals the Beatles had. I think John envied them a little because the Beatles didn't play rock and roll as much as he would have liked in the Beatles' later career, and the Stones were creating some great rockers at that time. Lennon said the Stones copied everything the Beatles did. I don't agree; when I hear a song by either band, it doesn't remind me of the other. John shouldn't have complained; both bands were the best rock's ever had. People liked one or the other more, but in terms of popularity, no one's ever been as popular as the Beatles.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Honky Tonk woman is probably a reference to Honky Tonk angel which is a type of character that appears in some classic country songs. Possibly gleaned from Their friend gram Parsons

[@wadsworthaaron]

From "Beggars Banquet" through "Exile on Main Street," the Rolling Stones were at the absolute peak of their powers. Everything the did turned to gold... Only Led Zeppelin was as prolific during that time ('68 through '72).

[@jackempson3044]

Richards used great cord arangements. This is one of the Stones best. It one of the songs that defines them. A cormerstone in their success. When it came out it sounded so fresh and different from anything else at the time.

[@LordEagle]

1. Led Zeppelin 2. Pink Floyd 3. The Rolling Stones 4. Lynyrd Skynyrd 😎

[@TheCornishCockney]

“Cool track” Like saying breakfast at Tiffany’s was “ok” Hard to please,but I like it. Still love the mighty Stones to bits,nothing will change that.

[@scotttrainer9704]

They always tried finding local groups to open for them at concerts too. Talk about getting exposure.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

This has always been one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs, it's just perfect to play on the jukebox and a bar setting surrounded by cool dudes and Honky Tonk Women. I do disagree somewhat with the assertion The Beatles not using outside musicians. It happened a number of times but in really cool ways. And of course you've always had George Martin even from the earlier days who is a tour-de-force, but then at various points especially by this time that you're talking about right here, I mean they had the Royal Philharmonic help them out with a day in the life, and what is that that's over 100 people right there. And then of course Eric Clapton, and of course the fifth Beatle Billy Preston. And I know there are other examples.

[@ArmandoMPR]

This was a number one single for the boys in 1969. I love it, it’s great for radio, but I agree with the sentiment that they have done much better than this. Check out “Moonlight Mile” for peak beauty in their music. Also, Their Satanic Majesties Request isn’t really that reminiscent of the Beatles. That criticism was unfounded and solely based on the cover artwork, which features the band in silly costumes. TSMR is actually psychedelic and weird, as opposed to the Beatles’ Pepper, which only had a few moments of psych. Edit: Just some spelling.

[@LexwellLavers]

Richards talks about his distain for TSMR in his autobiography and I don't think Mick and the rest of the band are to fond of it. I'm not a fan of their British invasion sound, I'm more into them finding their sound starting with Beggar's Banquet.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

I think it’s a better album than it gets credit for being and doesn’t sound at all like ‘Sgt Pepper’s ‘. What Beatles song is “2000 Light Years From Home” copying? That and “She’s A Rainbow” are classics. And there’s “Citadel” and “The Lantern”, …

[@olibertosoto5470]

He's talking about a specific divorcee in NYC. This is a tame version of the Stones. 👍🏼

[@joyceellis9722]

I was 12. Loved it.

[@Richard_Ashton]

When I was a lad, I always thought that 'She blew my nose' was the same as a mother cleaning up her sad and snotty-nosed son. When followed by 'She blew my mind' meant a more experienced woman took that callow youth and expanded his horizons - made him a man.

[@NathanThurberMusic]

Taj Mahal has a great cover of this. Old school acoustic blues with harmonica.

[@frankjurgensen9550]

You got it dude!

[@davidjennings1771]

Watch this song live from the Steel Wheels Tour. It was an incredible live performance. Watch The Who & Kinks on stage as well, or you'll miss half the show. I'd like your review of "Bat Out of Hell", by Meatloaf on stage to. The whole album is a treat to be seen. Thanks much for your reviews! Amelas One

[@jjsdad4952]

Brown Sugar is this but better. And I love this

[@marklerner8963]

It's a fun, good-time song....

[@chrisbanks5925]

What happened to the second half of the song?

[@robertlear2712]

I don’t think the honky tonk women were prostitutes but just fast women

[@jvblhc]

I actually enjoy Their Satanic Majesties Request album for what it is - The Stones trying their best to catch up with the Beatles in the psychedelic era. A couple of good tracks, but then the Stones realized they needed to be themselves. Honky Tonk Women is a great single. The song "Country Honk " on the Let It Bleed" album is basically the same song but with a more country feel to it. You are right about The Beatles. They rarely had other musicians playing with them - Eric Clapton played guitar on "While My Guitar Gentle Weeps", Nicky Hopkins played piano in the fast version of "Revoluton" and Billy Preston played with them on several songs. Other then that, there were some session musicians sometimes to play a certain instrument for one particular track that The Beatles wanted, and then they'd be gone.

[@gaoxiaen1]

Country Honk was more like what they had in mind when they wrote Honky Tonk Women.

[@hugginduff]

#! record for the year1969 billboard magazine

[@MartinFGayford]

I can think of more than 10 Stones songs I think are 'better' but it does have an absolutely awesome groove. The drums sound incredible, especially on the intro and Keith helps drive it as usual. If it weren't performed and recorded so well, I can imagine it being more of an average pub rocker (see: Some Girls!). I would hesitate to write off Their Satanic Majesties Request by the way - it'll be interesting to see some reactions to that. I wasn't around at the time but it's nowhere near as bad as you might read. I think as a challenger to Sgt Pepper - which it obviously was prompted by, to some extent - it's likely to raise an eyebrow but I know quite a few people that really like it (and not just The Brian Jonestown Massacre).

[@jco207]

I read once that the divorcee might have been Linda (Eastman) McCartney, before she met Paul.

[@dorkasaurus9007]

Song suggestion: listen to sympathy for the devil - live 1969 - from the get yer ya ya’s out album Edit: the whole album is crazy good I suggest all of those songs! (But listen to sympathy for the devil first!)

[@michele-33]

Not sure if you knew, he has done Sympathy for the Devil....album version not live

[@pablolazaromartinez3541]

❤❤❤

[@poows]

midnight rambler, please

[@jnagarya519]

This was recorded AFTER "The Beatles" broke up. And "The rolling Stones" claim to fame is flouting of social norms.

[@capoditutticapos19]

stones are far superior to the beatles' pop psychadelia

[@jakehamilton930]

Please do happy

[@jimreedy1960]

You are assuming that they are talking about "women of the night," but there is no evidence of that. When he says that he met a "gin-soaked barroom queen in Memphis," there is no reason to think that she is anything more than another groupie who connects with Mick.

[@johnlamere2189]

Dude, you missed the drum ending. Yeah, Yeah! Just saying.

[@tonykyriakides7714]

Please folks don't compare the Stones.with the Beatles as the latter can't give the excitement that the Stones produced. They weren't a rock or blues band and rarely rocked.