You can’t always get what you want/
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find/
You get what you need.

While it sounds like something Confucius might have said–it turns out “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” was The Rolling Stones. I’d imagine Mick had the idea for the line and it was so good he built a song around it. The Stones have a lot of songs that are great concepts, but I find that the lyrics often don’t reach the level of the concept. See “Paint it Black”, “Wild Horses”. Granted, some of their songs have great lyrics. Sympathy For the Devil and Ruby Tuesday are good examples.

Perhaps there is something lost in the British to American translation. I do think that having the concept is more important that the actual individual words spoken…especially if you are looking for a hit that resonates with people. Sia is a person I’d put into this category too. Great concepts, okay lyrics. You can still make an incredible song this way (obviously).

Besides the title, the choir stands out. Perhaps I am a sucker for choirs in pop and rock, but I think it is an amazing performance and raises the song to the level of a classic. A good choir can make the music feel more important. More monumental. The French horn in the beginning is a nice touch. Overall, this is one of the best-produced songs of the Stones. Many fine choices that add up to a greater whole.

Can’t Always Get What You Want Lyrics

I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man

No, you can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometime you find
You get what you need

I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man

You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need

And I went down to the demonstration
To get my fair share of abuse
Singing, “We’re gonna vent our frustration
If we don’t we’re gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse”

You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find
You get what you need

I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was “dead”
I said to him

You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need

You get what you need, yeah, oh baby
I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands

You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need

You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need, oh yeah

Songwriters: Keith Richards / Mick Jagger