October 02, 2023

1969 - December: The Rolling Stones “Let It Bleed”

39 minutes

The Rolling Stones released their tenth US studio album (eighth in the UK) entitled Let it Bleed at the end of November, 1969. The band had worked on the material in the studio off and on through most of the year, with recording beginning in earnest back in February of 1969 (though work on "You Can't Always Get What You Want" began in November of the previous year). The album would reach number 3 on the US album chart and number 1 on the UK charts, and would produce some of the best known standards of the Stones' collection.

The band experienced significant turmoil during the recording of this album. Founding member and multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones was rapidly descending into a drug-induced stupor, causing him to be released from the band in the midst of the album's production. Jones would be found dead in his swimming pool a month after leaving the band. His replacement, Mick Taylor, would appear on a couple of songs for the album, but was not involved in the bulk of the recording. Thus the lion's share of all guitar work fell to guitarist Keith Richards, handling both rhythm and lead guitar parts for most tracks.

“Let It Bleed” returns to a blues sound with country and gospel elements, but the lyrics tend towards darker, more gritty themes. Perhaps the album was influenced by the disillusionment of society due to the Vietnam war, racial unrest, and/or protests on college campuses. Certainly the darker side of drug use comes out in many of the songs.

In addition to releasing this album just before December 1969, the Rolling Stones participated in the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, a concert which would feature the Hell's Angels utilized as “security” for the event, and which would be considered one of the darkest days of the Rock era due to the violence, extensive property damage, and death associated with the event. Some consider this to be the sad end to the “summer of love” aesthetic attributed to the rock music of the late 60's.

One of the founding What the Riff?!? hosts, Brian Dickhute returns to sit in for John Lynch, and brings us this iconic album.

Gimme Shelter

The opening track to the album was initially inspired by Richards’ observations of people running to get out of a rain storm, but the theme broadens to look at how the world seemed to be closing in with tension, war, and violence. American singer Merry Clayton contributes the female vocals to this track.

Let It Bleed

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards penned the honky tonk (country tonk?) title track, which finishes off side 1 of the album. The lyrics contain numerous sexual and drug references, though the theme is more about people providing and finding emotional support in others.

Monkey Men

While it is difficult to call any track from this album a “deeper cut,” we agreed this one is about as close to that as we can find. Jagger and Richards wrote it as a tribute to Italian pop artist Mario Schifano, a contemporary of Andy Warhol whom Jaggar had met when he had a cameo in one of Schifano's movies.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

The first song recorded for the album is the last track on side 2. This iconic song features the London Bach Choir, and features verses covering love, politics, and drugs — common themes of the day. The verses begin with optimism and end with disillusionment, returning to a sense of realism in the chorus. It may be the most popular of all recordings by the Stones.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Come and Get It by Badfinger (from the motion picture “The Magic Christian”)

Honestly folks, I thought this was the Beatles, and had no idea that it was from this movie. Paul McCartney did write this song for Badfinger, and the movie starred Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.

STAFF PICKS:

Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye by Steam

Long before it became a staple of sports venues, Rob's staff pick was written by Paul Leka, Gary DiCarlo, and Dale Frasheur under what was then a fictitious band name, Steam. The song would hit number 1 on the pop charts, although it was intended as a B-side.

Backfield In Motion by Mel and Tim

Bruce continues the sports theme in the staff picks with this song about a girl who is running around on her man. This song with allusions to penalties in football, baseball, and boxing went to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the R&B Chart.

I'll Hold Out My Hand by The Clique

Wayne features a positive soul sound from a two-hit wonder. The Clique would see this song top out at number 45 on the US charts. The lyrics urge someone who is turning inward to reach out instead and strive for their full potential. “I’ll be your friend - you don't have to be mine.”

Take a Letter Maria by R.B. Greaves

Brian finishes our staff picks with a sing-song story about a business man who loses his wife while working overtime. He has his secretary take a letter with copies for his wife and his lawyer. By the end of the song he is scheduling a date with his secretary, Maria.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Groovy Grubworm by Harlow Wilcox & the Oakies

We weren't sure if it would be a comedy or an instrumental number, but this instrumental piece was on the charts at the end of 1969, peaking at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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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