Respectable (Rolling Stones song)
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"Respectable" is a song by the English rock band
Inspiration and recording
Recorded from October through December 1977, "Respectable" was originally written by Mick Jagger to be a slower song, but guitarist Richards saw the advantages of speeding up the tempo and crafting a rocker out of the song. Jagger continued in the liner notes, "On ["Respectable"] I was banging out three chords incredibly loud on the electric guitar, which isn't always a wonderful idea but was fun here. This is a punk meets Chuck Berry number..." This resulted in Jagger and Richards having arguments over the song's tempo.
The biting lyrics talk of a woman rising into high society and Jagger's attempts to remind her of where she came from. Jagger said at the time of its release, "'Respectable' really started off as a song in my head about how respectable we as a band were supposed to have become, 'We're so respectable'. As I went along with the singing, I just made things up and fit things in. Now we're respected in society... I really meant [the band]. My wife's a very honest person, and the songs's not about her... It's very rock & roll. It's not like Bob Dylan's 'Sara'. 'Respectable' is very lighthearted when you hear it. That's why I don't like divorcing the lyrics from the music. 'Cause when you actually hear it sung, it's not what it is, it's the way we do it..."[3]
Release and aftermath
"Respectable" was released as a single in the United Kingdom in 1978, where it peaked at no. 23 on the
A live version from their 1997-1998 Bridges to Babylon Tour was released on the album No Security.
The Stones were joined on stage by John Mayer to play a live version during their 50 and Counting Tour on 13 December 2012 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Charts
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
---|---|
Ireland (IRMA)[5] | 16 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6] | 18 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] | 16 |
23 |
Personnel
- Mick Jagger – lead vocals, electric guitar[8]
- Keith Richards – electric guitar[8]
- Ronnie Wood – electric guitar[8]
- Bill Wyman – bass guitar[8]
- Charlie Watts – drums[8]
References
- ^ "Tim Hinkley at Pathé Marconi studios, 1978". IORR.org. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
- ^ Koelling, Matt. "The Rolling Stones' 'Some Girls' Turns 40 – An Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ Cott, Jonathan (1978). "Mick Jagger – Interview". Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Respectable". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 1978" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "The Rolling Stones – Respectable" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ Universal Republic Records. 2011. B0016230-00.)
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