The Lantern (song)
"The Lantern" | ||||
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Single by the Rolling Stones | ||||
from the album Their Satanic Majesties Request | ||||
A-side | "In Another Land" | |||
Released |
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Recorded | July & September 1967 | |||
Studio | Olympic, London | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:24 | |||
Label |
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Jagger/Richards | ||||
Producer(s) | The Rolling Stones | |||
The Rolling Stones US singles chronology | ||||
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Their Satanic Majesties Request track listing | ||||
10 tracks Side one
Side two
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"The Lantern" is a song from the Rolling Stones' 1967 psychedelic rock album Their Satanic Majesties Request. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it also appeared as the B-side to the American single "In Another Land".
Music and lyrics
The song opens with chimes, which serve as the mystic symbol of enlightenment.[4] It carries a melody inspired by the blues, with folk influences as well. "The Lantern" also features a horn arrangement.[3] Brian Jones plays the organ in the intro and in the 2:30 mark, though earlier version of the song feature his organ throughout. The lyrics deal with a pair of lovers, one of whom has died though the other still feels love for her. A lantern is a metaphor for what unites the two between life and death, and also the light that would enable him to join her when he dies.[5]
Release and reception
The single was released on 2 December 1967.
David Marchese of Vulture ranked it the 262nd best Rolling Stones song, calling it "not bad" but thought "expectations are higher for the Rolling Stones."[2] Georgiy Starostin, on the other hand, considered it the best song on the album. He criticized the lyrics but opined, "in comparison to, say, Led Zeppelin's flat-foot, gruff take on mysticism, this one is gentle, exotic and totally non-generic."[7]
Personnel
Source:[8]
The Rolling Stones
- Mick Jagger – lead vocals
- Brian Jones – organ, Mellotron
- Keith Richards – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals
- Bill Wyman – bass guitar
- Charlie Watts – drums
Additional personnel
- Nicky Hopkins – piano
References
- ^ a b Eder, Bruce (1989). Singles Collection: The London Years (Boxed set booklet). the Rolling Stones. New York City: ABKCO Records. p. 72. 1218-2.
- ^ a b Marchese, David. "Ranking All 374 Rolling Stones Songs". Vulture. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Greenwald, Matthew. "The Rolling Stones - The Lantern". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ISBN 978-1906783259.
- ^ ISBN 978-0316317733.
- Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ Starostin, Georgiy. "Their Satanic Majesties' Request". Only Solitaire. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-316-31773-3. Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2017.