About the song
Background on “Let’s Spend the Night Together” by the Rolling Stones
- Release: Originally released as a double A-side single with “Ruby Tuesday” in January 1967. It’s also the opening track on the American version of their album “Between the Buttons”.
- Composition: Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
- Recording: Recorded in August 1966 at RCA Records in Hollywood.
Controversy:
- The song’s title and suggestive lyrics caused a stir in 1967. It was considered quite racy for the time.
- Mick Jagger was forced to mumble the lyrics on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, and radio airplay was limited in the US.
- Ironically, the controversy overshadowed the song’s musical merits, which include a catchy melody, piano-driven instrumentation, and strong vocals from Jagger.
Themes in “Let’s Spend the Night Together”
- Directness: The song is a blunt and unambiguous proposition for a night of passion.
- Urgency: The lyrics emphasize the singer’s need for intimacy “tonight” and “more than ever.”
- Mutual Desire: The song suggests a shared interest in physical intimacy, with the line “you know a smiling baby you need some good loving.”
While the song’s main theme is clear, it’s open to interpretation. Some see it as playful and lighthearted, while others view it as a more serious expression of desire.
Video
Lyrics
Don’t you worry ’bout what’s on your mind, oh myI’m in no hurry, I can take my time, oh myI’m going red and my tongue’s getting tied(Tongue’s getting tied)I’m off my head and my mouth’s getting dryI’m high, but I try, try, try, oh my
Let’s spend the night togetherNow I need you more than everLet’s spend the night together now
I feel so strong that I can’t disguise, oh my(Let’s spend the night together)But I just can’t apologize, oh no(Let’s spend the night together)
Don’t hang me up and don’t let me down(Don’t let me down)We could have fun just groovin’ aroundAround, and round, and oh my my
Let’s spend the night togetherNow I need you more than everLet’s spend the night together
Let’s spend the night togetherNow I need you more than everYou know I’m smiling, baby
You need some guiding, babyI’m just deciding, baby, nowI need you more than everLet’s spend the night togetherLet’s spend the night together nowOh my my my my my my my
This doesn’t happen to me every day, oh my(Let’s spend the night together)No excuses offered anyway, oh my(Let’s spend the night together)
I’ll satisfy your every need(Your every need)And now I know you will satisfy meOh my my my my my my
Together now, oh my my my my my my my
Now I need you, need you more than ever, oh my(Let’s spend the night together)I’ll satisfy your every need, whoa my my
Now I know, I know you’ll satisfy me, whoa my my(Let’s spend the night together)I beg you baby, whoa my my my my my my
Oh come on nowOh baby my my my my