March 09, 2020

1966 - July: The Rolling Stones “Aftermath”

28 minutes

In 1966 The Rolling Stones were not the giants that they would come to be in the rock world, but their third album, Aftermath would start their transformation. While their two previous albums had consisted of a significant volume of cover songs (much like the Beatles' early work), Aftermath would be the first album with all original material, primarily written by Mick Jagger and/or Keith Richards, and is considered the group's breakthrough album. Brian Jones would be a multi-instrumentalist on this album, though the estrangement from the rest of the band was already beginning to set in. He would leave the band in 1969, and die a month later at the age of 27.

Brian walks us through this feature and breakout album from one of the greatest groups of the rock era. We hope you enjoy this mid-60's session.

Paint it Black

This track opens the US version of the album. As the title suggests, it is a dark, minor key song. It deals with depression, and the feelings that the individual has that he wants the world to reflect his own dark mood.

Stupid Girl

This deeper cut has been used as an example of misogyny in the music of the Stones, and it is easy to see why. The inspiration is said to be Mick Jagger's rocky relationship with model and actress Chrissie Shrimpton, It's a pretty venomous, with lyrics like "It doesn't matter if she dyes her hair, or the color of the shoes she wears. She's the worst thing in the world. Well, look at that stupid girl."

Lady Jane

Another deep cut, this song might be about Jane Seymour, third wife to Henry VIII, and lady in waiting to Anne Boleyn, the executed second wife of Henry VIII.

Under My Thumb

This is their biggest hit off the album, and if you're looking for proof of male chauvinism in The Rolling Stones, this would be it. "It's down to me, the way she talks when she's spoken to. Down to me, the change has come, she's under my thumb."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The theme to the television series “Ultraman”

This Japanese science fiction/monster series came to the US with English dubbed in. The show would spawn multiple adaptations over time.

STAFF PICKS:

“Hungry” by Paul Revere and the Raiders

Wayne's staff pick was produced by Terry Melcher. Melcher worked with a number of groups including The Byrds and was a session musician on The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" He was introduced to ex-con and aspiring musician Charles Manson through Beach Boy Dennis Wilson. Later on, the Manson Family murders would take place in the home in which Melcher had been living, and which had recently been rented to Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate. Melcher believed that Manson wanted to kill Melcher when Sharon Tate was killed, and went into hiding. "Hungry" and the Manson murders made it into the film "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood."

“Sunny” by Bobby Hebb

Rob features a constantly covered classic. Hebb wrote "Sunny" in the days after the JFK assassination and after his older brother Harold was killed. He channeled his grief into a positive direction in writing the lyrics and music of this song - looking for a brighter day.

“Cool Jerk” by The Capitols

Bruce's staff pick from the Detroit trio was based on a dance craze called "the jerk" A particularly sexual version was known as "the pimp jerk," but the band didn't think that name would make it onto the airwaves. Instead, the called it "cool jerk." You may be more familiar with the version by The Go-Go's. It also made an appearance in "Home Alone 2."

“Everybody Loves a Nut” by Johnny Cash

Brian features The Man in Black taking a more comedic turn. This was off his 23rd album of the same name, consisting largely of novelty songs. This one was written by Jack Clement

COMEDY TRACK:

"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!" by Napoleon XIV

You may have heard this on Dr. Demento. The original came out in 1966.

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings