Under My Thumb
The Rolling Stones
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Under my thumb The girl who once had me down Under my thumb The girl who once pushed me around It's down to me The difference in the clothes she wears Down to me, the change has come, She's under my thumb Ain't it the truth babe? Under my thumb The squirmin' dog who's just had her day Under my thumb A girl who has just changed her ways It's down to me, yes it is The way she does just what she's told Down to me, the change has come She's under my thumb Ah, ah, say it's alright Under my thumb A Siamese cat of a girl Under my thumb She's the sweetest, hmmm, pet in the world 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 Ah, take it easy babe Yeah It's down to me, oh yeah The way she talks when she's spoken to Down to me, the change has come, She's under my thumb Yeah, it feels alright Under my thumb Her eyes are just kept to herself Under my thumb, well I I can still look at someone else It's down to me, oh that's what I said The way she talks when she's spoken to Down to me, the change has come, She's under my thumb Say, it's alright. Say it's all Say it's all Take it easy babe Take it easy babe Feels alright Take it, take it easy babe.
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26 fans
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
16 facts about this song
Song Origin1. "Under My Thumb" is a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
2. The song was first featured on The Rolling Stones’ 1966 album "Aftermath".
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Song Composition3. The song is known for its distinctive marimba part played by multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones.
4. Despite the provocative nature of the lyrics, the song's melody is quite pop-oriented and catchy.
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Lyrics and Interpretation5. The song's lyrics, which are sung from the point of view of a man who is in control of a once-dominant woman, have often sparked controversies.
6. Some critics argued that the song's lyrics could be interpreted as a celebration of male domination over women.
7. The Rolling Stones have defended the song by asserting it's all about "a girl who once had the upper hand is now being dominated by her ex-lover."
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Impact and Performance8. "Under My Thumb" was not released as a single in the U.S and the UK.
9. Nonetheless, it has remained one of The Rolling Stones' more popular and enduring songs, often featured in their concert setlists.
10. The song became infamous after it was being played during a concert at the Altamont Speedway in 1969 where a fan was fatally stabbed.
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Cover Versions11. A number of artists have covered "Under My Thumb". These include Tina Turner, Del Shannon, The Who, Social Distortion, and Wayne Gibson.
12. The most successful cover version was by Wayne Gibson, which reached the UK Top 20 in 1974.
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Critics' Reaction13. Despite controversies, rock critics have generally praised the song's catchy melody and distinctive instrumentation.
14. It's often considered one of the high points on the "Aftermath" album.
15. It stands as an iconic representation of The Rolling Stones’ manipulation of pop formulas in the mid-1960s.
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CompositionThe song "Under My Thumb" was penned by the duo, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who are regarded as one of the greatest songwriting partnerships of the 20th century.
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ReleaseIt was initially released as a track in the "Aftermath" album in 1966. This Rolling Stones' album was their first to consist entirely of original compositions, marking a turning point in their career.
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Genre"Under My Thumb" is regarded as a pop song with a minor-key melody, showcasing the band's exploration into different genres, away from their blues roots.
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InstrumentationBrian Jones, the original leader of The Rolling Stones, innovatively played the marimba on this track, adding a unique layer to the song's sound.
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Lyrics ThemeThe song was critiqued by some for its lyrics, which seemingly project the theme of celebrating the subjugation of women. However, Mick Jagger defended by stating the lyrics were only a reflection of that period time in society.
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Performance HistoryDespite its initial controversy, "Under My Thumb" continues to feature in The Rolling Stones' live shows. It was also performed as their opening song at the concert in the Altamont Free Festival in 1969, where the Hells Angels, serving as security, killed a man during the performance.
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Cover VersionsVarious artists have covered "Under My Thumb", including Del Shannon, Tina Turner, Social Distortion, and The Who. Such covers show the song's wide influence across the music industry.
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Pop CultureThe song has been used in different media outlets. For instance, it can be heard in the opening of the film 'Mean Streets' directed by Martin Scorsese.
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Album ReceptionThe parent album "Aftermath" peaked at number one in the UK and number two in the US, demonstrating the commercial success associated with the song "Under My Thumb".
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LegacyDespite the controversy surrounding its misogynistic undertones, "Under My Thumb" is frequently cited as a classic example of the Rolling Stones' mid-sixties musical style, showcasing their artistry and the start of their transition away from the blues genre.
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Citation
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