About the Song
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction: A Rock Anthem for the Ages
In the annals of rock and roll history, few songs have achieved the cultural resonance and enduring popularity of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Released in 1965, this rebellious anthem captured the spirit of a generation disillusioned with societal norms and yearning for authenticity.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ songwriting partnership was in its prime when they crafted this now-legendary track. The song’s opening riff, a simple yet electrifying burst of guitar energy, is instantly recognizable, setting the stage for Jagger’s impassioned vocals and Charlie Watts’ driving drums.
Jagger’s lyrics, infused with youthful angst and a touch of sarcasm, paint a vivid picture of a young man’s frustration with a world that seems to offer nothing but superficiality and disappointment. He rails against the incessant chatter of the radio, the vacuous advertising on television, and the unattainable promises of the media, all of which leave him feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied.
The song’s chorus, with its repeated refrain of “I can’t get no satisfaction,” is a powerful declaration of alienation and rebellion. It’s a sentiment that resonated deeply with young listeners in the mid-1960s, who were questioning the established order and searching for something more meaningful in their lives.
Beyond its lyrical depth, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction is a masterclass in rock and roll songwriting and performance. The song’s structure is deceptively simple, but it’s executed with such precision and energy that it never loses its impact. Jagger’s vocals are full of raw emotion, and the band’s instrumental interplay is tight and explosive.
The song’s influence on rock and roll is immeasurable. It has been covered by countless artists, from Aretha Franklin to Otis Redding to Guns N’ Roses, and its riff and lyrics have been sampled by hip-hop artists and DJs for decades. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone that continues to speak to new generations of listeners.
In a world that often seems to offer little in the way of genuine satisfaction, The Rolling Stones’ anthem remains as relevant and potent as ever. It’s a reminder that we should never settle for mediocrity, and that we should always strive to find something that truly resonates with our souls.
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Lyrics
I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no satisfaction
‘Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can’t get no, I can’t get no
When I’m driving in my car
When a man come on the radio
He’s telling me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey
That’s what I say
I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no satisfaction
‘Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can’t get no, I can’t get no
When I’m watchin’ my TV
And a man comes on and tells me
How white my shirts can be
But, he can’t be a man ’cause he doesn’t smoke
The same cigarettes as me
I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey
That’s what I say
I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no girl reaction
‘Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can’t get no, I can’t get no
When I’m ridin’ ’round the world
And I’m doin’ this and I’m signin’ that
And I’m tryin’ to make some girl, who tells me
Baby, better come back maybe next week
Can’t you see I’m on a losing streak?
I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey
That’s what I say
I can’t get no, I can’t get no
I can’t get no satisfaction, no satisfaction
No satisfaction, no satisfaction
I can’t get no