You Ca n't Always Get What You Want - wikipedia You Ca n't Always Get What You Want This article is about the song by the Rolling Stones. For the `` Grounded for Life '' episode, see You Ca n't Always Get What You Want ( Grounded for Life episode ). For the One Tree Hill episode, see You Ca n't Always Get What You Want ( One Tree Hill episode ). `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' Single by the Rolling Stones from the album Let It Bleed A-side `` Honky Tonk Women '' Released 4 July 1969 ( 1969 - 07 - 04 ) Format 7 - inch single Recorded November 1968 Studio Olympic, London Genre Rock gospel Length 4 : 50 ( single ) 7 : 30 ( album ) Label Decca Songwriter ( s ) Jagger / Richards Producer ( s ) Jimmy Miller the Rolling Stones singles chronology `` Street Fighting Man '' ( 1968 ) `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' ( 1969 ) `` Brown Sugar '' ( 1971 ) `` Street Fighting Man '' ( 1968 ) `` Honky Tonk Women '' ( 1969 ) `` Brown Sugar '' ( 1971 ) Audio sample 30 seconds of refrain file help `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' is a song by the Rolling Stones on their 1969 album Let It Bleed. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it was named as the 100th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in its 2004 list of the `` 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ''. Contents 1 Description 2 Meaning 3 Release and aftermath 4 Personnel 5 Chart performance 6 Covers and tributes 7 References 8 External links Description Although it was the closing track, `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' was the first song recorded for the album. It exists in two versions, a 4 : 49 single mix and a 7 : 30 album mix. `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' was recorded on 16 and 17 November 1968 at Olympic Sound Studios in London. It features the London Bach Choir opening the song ( the choir opening is only on the album version ), highlighting throughout, and bringing it to its conclusion. Jimmy Miller, the Stones ' producer at the time, plays drums on this song instead of Charlie Watts. Al Kooper plays piano and organ, as well as the French horn intro, while Rocky Dijon plays congas and maracas. Of the song, Jagger said : `` `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' was something I just played on the acoustic guitar -- one of those bedroom songs. It proved to be quite difficult to record because Charlie could n't play the groove and so Jimmy Miller had to play the drums. I 'd also had this idea of having a choir, probably a gospel choir, on the track, but there was n't one around at that point. Jack Nitzsche, or somebody, said that we could get the London Bach Choir and we said, `` That will be a laugh. '' '' In his review of the song, Richie Unterberger of AllMusic said : `` If you buy John Lennon 's observation that the Rolling Stones were apt to copy the Beatles ' innovations within a few months or so, ' You Ca n't Always Get What You Want ' is the Rolling Stones ' counterpart to ' Hey Jude '. '' Jagger said in 1969, `` I liked the way the Beatles did that with ' Hey Jude '. The orchestra was not just to cover everything up -- it was something extra. We may do something like that on the next album. '' Meaning The three verses ( along with the varied theme in the fourth verse ) address the major topics of the 1960s : love, politics, and drugs. Each verse captures the essence of the initial optimism and eventual disillusion, followed by the resigned pragmatism in the chorus. Unterberger noted : `` Much has been made of the lyrics reflecting the end of the overlong party that was the 1960s, as a snapshot of Swinging London burning out. That 's a valid interpretation, but it should also be pointed out that there 's also an uplifting and reassuring quality to the melody and performance. This is particularly true of the key lyrical hook, when we are reminded that we ca n't always get what we want, but we 'll get what we need. '' A man named Jimmy Hutmaker of Excelsior, Minnesota, claimed that he was the `` Mr. Jimmy '' mentioned in the song and that he said the phrase `` you ca n't always get what you want '' to Jagger during a chance encounter at a drug store in Excelsior in 1964. David Dalton, a writer for Rolling Stone who witnessed the filming of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus claims in his commentary track for the DVD of the concert that `` Mr. Jimmy '' refers to Jimmy Miller, the producer of all of the Rolling Stones ' albums from Beggar 's Banquet ( 1968 ) through Goat 's Head Soup ( 1973 ), and the drummer on `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want ''. Release and aftermath The song was originally released on the B - side of `` Honky Tonk Women '' in July 1969. Although it did not chart at the time, London Records re-serviced the single in 1973 and `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 34 on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles chart. One of the Stones ' most popular recordings, it has since appeared on the compilations Hot Rocks, Singles Collection ( single version ), Forty Licks, Rolled Gold+ : The Very Best of the Rolling Stones ( 2007 edition ), Singles 1968 - 1971 ( single version ), Slow Rollers ( single version ) and GRRR ! ( single version ). The song is also very popular at Rolling Stones shows in part because of its sing - along chorus, and is played at almost every show, where it is customary for Jagger to change the lyrics from `` my favourite flavour, cherry red '' to the question `` What 's your favourite flavour ? '' to which the audience replies `` Cherry red ! '' Live recordings appear on the albums Love You Live, Flashpoint, Live Licks, and Sweet Summer Sun : Hyde Park Live, as well as on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, filmed in 1968. Stones concert films that contain the song include : Ladies and Gentlemen : The Rolling Stones, From the Vault -- L.A Forum - Live in 1975, Let 's Spend the Night Together, Stones at the Max, Bridges to Babylon Tour ' 97 -- 98, Four Flicks, The Biggest Bang, and ' Sweet Summer Sun : Hyde Park Live. The musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch includes a reference to the song, where the lead character explains she was dismissed from a university after delivering a lecture on the influence of German philosophy on rock and roll, entitled `` You, Kant, Always Get What You Want. '' The 2014 revival on Broadway added the line, `` But If You Try Sometimes You Just Might Find You Get What You Nietzsche. '' The song was performed live with members of Voce Chamber Choir and London Youth Choir for the Stones ' 2012 reunion shows in London, November 25 and November 29. The same choir also performed on the track at Glastonbury and two performances at Hyde Park in 2013. Donald Trump used the song at campaign appearances in 2016, it played after his victory speech on the night of the United States presidential election, 2016, and continues to use it after his speeches to public audiences. The Stones have publicly disapproved of Trump 's use of their music. In November 2016 MP4, a rock group comprising four British politicians, recorded a single of the track with Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs, KT Tunstall, David Gray, Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel and members of the UK Parliamentary Choir under the band name `` Friends of Jo Cox '' in tribute to the late MP Jo Cox who was murdered earlier in the year. A 6 minute full version of the track and a 4 minute edit, together with a video, were the first releases on the newly re-established Chrysalis Records on 16th December with all proceeds going to charity. In support of this initiative, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards agreed to waive their royalties from the release. This version of the single peaked at number 2 on the Official Independent Singles Breakers Chart. Personnel The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger -- vocals, acoustic guitar Keith Richards -- acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals Bill Wyman -- bass guitar Additional personnel London Bach Choir -- choral arrangements by Jack Nitzsche Al Kooper -- piano, organ, French horn Jimmy Miller -- drums Rocky Dijon -- congas, maracas, tambourine Madeline Bell -- backing vocals Nanette Workman -- backing vocals ( credited as ' Nanette Newman ' on the LP ) Doris Troy -- backing vocals Chart performance Chart ( 1973 ) Peak position Canada RPM Top Singles 68 US Billboard Hot 100 42 Covers and tributes This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( July 2013 ) In 1971, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi released a cover version of the song on his album Oaxaca. In 1973, Exuma covered the song on his album Life. In the 1974 film Steppenwolf, the saxophonist Pablo tells Harry Haller after sniffing cocaine, `` You ca n't always get what you want, but you can always get what you need. '' In 1980, Bette Midler recorded a live version for her concert album and film Divine Madness. The song was made into a medley featuring Bob Dylan 's `` I Shall Be Released ''. In 1981, Aretha Franklin covered the song on her album Love All the Hurt Away. In 1989, `` Weird Al '' Yankovic included the song in `` The Hot Rocks Polka, '' a polka medley consisting entirely of the Stones ' songs. In 1990, George Michael used the song 's rhythm, chords and chorus in his single `` Waiting for That Day ''. Jagger and Richards received shared songwriting credit. In 1992, Def Leppard released an acoustic cover of the song as a b - side to their single `` Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad ''. In 1993, folk singers Greg Brown and Bill Morrissey covered the song on their only joint recording Friend of Mine. Blues musician Luther Allison covered the song for the 1997 tribute album Paint It Blue : Songs of the Rolling Stones. In 1997, Sunchild released a live version of the song on their album Barefoot & Live. In 1998, the jam band Rusted Root included a version on their self - titled fourth album. In 2001, reggae band Steel Pulse recorded it for Paint It Black : A Reggae Tribute to the Rolling Stones. The 3 - 2 - 1 Penguins video, The Amazing Carnival of Complaining ( released 2001 ) features a song which includes the line `` You ca n't always get what you want, you ca n't always get what you want, but if you gripe sometimes, you just might find, you turn into seeds ! '' Band from TV covered it for the soundtrack of House. In 2006, the cover by Ituana was included into the album Bossa n ' Stones, Vol. 2. In 2007, Anarchist folk punk group Ghost Mice recorded a version of this song to benefit Food Not Bombs. In 2008, Belgian outfit Soulwax released a remix of the song, which appeared on the soundtrack to the 2008 film 21. In 2008, French Jean - Jacques Milteau ( harmonica ) recorded the song for his album Soul Conversation with Ron Smyth ( vocal ). In 2009, the cast of Glee recorded a cover in the episode `` Sectionals ''. In 2010, Blunt Instrument released a glitch - hop remix of the song. In 2010, The Jolly Boys released a cover in the album Great Expectation. In 2012, Anastacia covered the song for her album It 's a Man 's World In 2012, the band fun. covered the song during their encore at the Bonnaroo Music Festival and at the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival ; they often perform it at their shows. In 2016, Parliamentary rock group MP4, Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chiefs, Steve Harley, KT Tunstall and David Gray teamed up with Members of the British Parliamentary choir and the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus to record a charity version of the song in memory of Labour MP Jo Cox. References Jump up ^ `` The Rolling Stones singles collection the london years '' Jump up ^ `` Forty Licks '' Jump up ^ Loewenstein, Dora ; Dodd, Philip ( 2003 ). According to the Rolling Stones. San Francisco : Chronicle Books. ISBN 0 - 8118 - 4060 - 3. ^ Jump up to : `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 2009 - 10 - 31. Jump up ^ `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want ''. Time Is On Our Side. 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2007. Jump up ^ Cohen, Ben ( 2007 - 10 - 04 ) Jimmy Hutmaker was town character of Excelsior, Star Tribune Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 2015 ). The Comparison Book. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin : Record Research Inc. p. 431. ISBN 0 - 89820 - 213 - 2. Jump up ^ `` I got satisfaction rocking with Mick and Keith ''. The Independent. Jump up ^ `` Donald Trump 's Victory Speech Ended with a Very Ironic Song ''. Fortune. 2016 - 11 - 09. Retrieved 2016 - 11 - 25. Jump up ^ Lauren Craddock. `` Rolling Stones Say Trump Used ' You Ca n't Always Get What You Want ' Without Permission at RNC ''. Billboard, 2016 - 07 - 22. Accessed 2016 - 11 - 05. Jump up ^ Chart results from 23rd December 2016 Jump up ^ http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4839&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4839.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4839 Jump up ^ `` The Rolling Stones Complete Hit Singles List ( 1963 -- 2006 ) ''. BeatZenith. Retrieved 24 July 2009. Jump up ^ `` Jo Cox charity single brings together politicians and musicians ''. BBC News. BBC. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Let It Bleed Side one `` Gimme Shelter '' `` Love in Vain '' `` Country Honk '' `` Live with Me '' `` Let It Bleed '' Side two `` Midnight Rambler '' `` You Got the Silver '' `` Monkey Man '' `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' The Rolling Stones singles discography Decca ( UK ) and London ( US ) singles `` Come On '' `` I Wanna Be Your Man '' / `` Stoned '' `` Not Fade Away '' / `` Little by Little '' `` It 's All Over Now '' `` Tell Me '' / `` I Just Want to Make Love to You '' `` Time Is on My Side '' `` Little Red Rooster '' `` Heart of Stone '' `` The Last Time '' / `` Play with Fire '' `` ( I Ca n't Get No ) Satisfaction '' / `` The Spider and the Fly '' `` Get Off of My Cloud '' / `` I 'm Free '' `` As Tears Go By '' `` 19th Nervous Breakdown '' / `` As Tears Go By '' `` Paint It Black '' / `` Stupid Girl '' `` Mother 's Little Helper '' / `` Lady Jane '' `` Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow ? '' `` Let 's Spend the Night Together '' / `` Ruby Tuesday '' `` We Love You '' / `` Dandelion '' `` In Another Land '' `` She 's a Rainbow '' / `` 2000 Light Years from Home '' `` Jumpin ' Jack Flash '' `` Street Fighting Man '' / `` No Expectations '' `` Honky Tonk Women '' / `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' Rolling Stones / Atlantic singles `` Brown Sugar '' / `` Bitch '' / `` Let It Rock '' `` Wild Horses '' / `` Sway '' `` Tumbling Dice '' / `` Sweet Black Angel '' `` Happy '' / `` All Down the Line '' `` Angie '' / `` Silver Train '' `` Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo ( Heartbreaker ) '' / `` Dancing with Mr. D '' `` It 's Only Rock ' n Roll ( But I Like It ) '' `` Ai n't Too Proud to Beg '' / `` Dance Little Sister '' `` Fool to Cry '' `` Hot Stuff '' Rolling Stones `` Miss You '' / `` Far Away Eyes '' `` Beast of Burden '' / `` When the Whip Comes Down '' `` Respectable '' / `` When the Whip Comes Down '' `` Shattered '' `` Emotional Rescue '' `` She 's So Cold '' / `` Send It to Me '' `` Start Me Up '' `` Waiting on a Friend '' / `` Little T&A '' `` Hang Fire '' / `` Neighbours '' `` Going to a Go - Go '' ( live ) / `` Beast of Burden '' ( live ) `` Time Is on My Side '' ( live ) / `` Twenty Flight Rock '' ( live ) `` Undercover of the Night '' `` She Was Hot '' `` Too Much Blood '' `` Harlem Shuffle '' `` One Hit ( To the Body ) '' `` Mixed Emotions '' `` Rock and a Hard Place '' `` Almost Hear You Sigh '' `` Highwire '' / `` 2000 Light Years from Home '' ( live ) `` Ruby Tuesday '' ( live ) / `` Play with Fire '' ( live ) `` Jumpin ' Jack Flash '' ( live ) / `` Tumbling Dice '' ( live ) Virgin singles `` Love Is Strong '' `` You Got Me Rocking '' `` Out of Tears '' `` I Go Wild '' `` Like a Rolling Stone '' ( live ) / `` Black Limousine '' / `` All Down the Line '' `` Wild Horses '' ( live ) / `` Live with Me '' ( live ) / `` Tumbling Dice '' ( live ) `` Anybody Seen My Baby ? '' `` Saint of Me '' / `` Gimme Shelter '' ( live ) `` Out of Control '' `` Do n't Stop '' / `` Miss You '' ( remix ) `` Streets of Love '' / `` Rough Justice '' `` Rain Fall Down '' `` Biggest Mistake '' / `` Before They Make Me Run '' ( live ) Universal singles `` Plundered My Soul '' / `` All Down the Line '' `` No Spare Parts '' / `` Before They Make Me Run '' `` Doom and Gloom '' `` One More Shot '' Other countries `` Let It Bleed '' / `` You Got the Silver '' ( London Japan ) `` Rocks Off '' / `` Sweet Virginia '' ( Japan ) `` Star Star '' / `` Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo ( Heartbreaker ) '' ( France, Germany ) Book Portal WikiProject Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=You_Can%27t_Always_Get_What_You_Want&oldid=801317563 '' Categories : The Rolling Stones songs 1969 songs Songs written by Jagger / Richards Rock ballads Song recordings produced by Jimmy Miller Decca Records singles London Records singles Chrysalis Records singles Hidden categories : Articles with hAudio microformats Audio sample to be checked All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2010 Articles with unsourced statements from September 2010 Articles with unsourced statements from October 2016 Articles needing additional references from July 2013 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Español Français 한국어 Italiano ქართული Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk nynorsk Русский Suomi Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 18 September 2017, at 23 : 54. 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Question: what is the meaning of the song you can't always get what you want
Answer: reflecting the end of the overlong party that was the 1960s