The Rolling Stones' song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is now 55 years old, but it still gets people moving when they hear it. In the summer of 1965, it was #1 on Billboard for four weeks, and topped charts in countries around the world. And it was constructed, recorded, and released in a hurry.
Though the lyrics are great, it’s the distinct sound of that opening riff that sent “Satisfaction” flying up the charts in ’65, Boston University music professor Victor Coelho tells InsideHook.
“It’s the sound for sure,” he says. “I think it’s the first really dirty riff that’s out there in rock. It’s not a clean sound. The funny thing is, that was not supposed to be like that. I think Keith had wanted that riff to actually be played by horns. The song was released before they had a chance to even think about orchestrating it in that way. They were surprised the song had come out and then, of course, very pleased that it zoomed up to the top. Sound is so important in the Stones. Sound is a marker that’s as important as the chord structure itself, or the vocal delivery.”
Read the story of how "Satisfaction" came about at Inside Hook. -via Digg
(Image credit: Øderud)
This article finally reminded me to look something up. Every time I hear "You Can't Always Get What You Want" on the radio in the car, I keep wondering who Mr. Jimmy is, and thinking that I have to look that up in the future, when I'm not driving.
Always forget to look it up. Then hear the song again... rinse, wash, repeat.
So... just remembered to look it up. Always thought it was Hendrix. Nope. Could have been a few people apparently, but I like this version:
https://kool1017.com/who-is-mister-jimmy-rolling-stone-song-character-has-ties-to-minnesota/
Apparently it's most likely their producer though, Jimmy Miller.
Basically I looked it up, it's inconclusive, but there's a good story of one of the potential Mr. Jimmy's.