Faith has been broken tears must be cried/
Let’s do some living after we die.

The Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” is a song about young love and the transition into an adult relationship. Problems become more pronounced and it appears that the woman may be pushing the narrator away. But he isn’t having any of it. He is not going to let her ruin a good thing. Her theatrics and attempts to sabotage the relationship are not going to dissuade him. Not even wild horses will drag him away.

The line above is very interesting: “Let’s do some living after we die.” It sounds like she wants to break up with him and live her life while she’s young…or something to that effect. He is saying “let’s be together now and worry about this ‘living’ at another time in the future.” It sounds very different than the typical impression we get of Jagger as a playboy. Here he comes off as a romantic.

The harmonies in the chorus are not elite level, but they are still good. Mick’s vocal’s sound good, but throughout even the mid seventies he was pretty consistent with his voice. Not only are his vocals clear, they sound somewhat heartfelt. That is what we want in a lyric.

Of course, I think it is the melody that stands out in “Wild Horses” as well as the overt romanticism that makes this song such a favorite. The guitar work sounds almost ad-libbed at times, but that is part of its charm. This is a song that is ripe for a great cover. There are a couple decent versions but nothing monumental.

Wild Horses Lyrics

Childhood living is easy to do,
The things you wanted I bought them for you.
Graceless lady you know who I am,
You know I can’t let you slide through my hands.

Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.
Wild, wild horses couldn’t drag me away.

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain,
Now you’ve decided to show me the same.
No sweeping exit or offstage lines,
Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind.

Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.
Wild, wild horses couldn’t drag me away.

I know I’ve dreamed you a sin and a lie,
I have my freedom but I don’t have much time.
Faith has been broken tears must be cried,
Let’s do some living after we die.

Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.
Wild, wild horses we’ll ride them some day.
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.
Wild, wild horses we’ll ride them some day.

written by Jagger/Richards