The Rolling Stones - We Love You (1967)

In February 1967, Keith Richard’s chauffeur tipped off reporters, who, in turn tipped off police about a party in Sussex The Rolling Stones’ members were having that “involved drugs.” Although no arrests were made in the ensuing police raid, both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were subsequently charged with drug offenses. On the day of their arrangement, police stormed the home of Brian Jones, arrested him, and pressed him, too, with drug charges. Although Jagger and Richards were imprisoned for their crimes, they were back out on the streets the next morning after making bail, pending an appeal. In the meantime, the public, some branches of the media, and fellow musicians had shown an outpouring of support for the band’s targeted members, feeling that their punishments for first-time offenses were far too harsh, unfair, and attributed to their celebrity-statuses.

While awaiting their appeal hearings, the band recorded this song as a means of thanking its fans for their loyal support. Although uncredited, both Paul McCartney and John Lennon appeared on the track to provide backing vocals. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song’s opening features the sound of prison doors slamming closed, referencing the recent charges against the members. Released as an A-Side in Britain, the song reached number eight. Having been flipped to the B-Side for the US release, the song reached number fifty. “Dandelion” was the flip side for each release.



The Rolling Stones - We Love You (1967)

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Lyrics:

(We don't care if you only love “we”)
(We don't care if you only love “we”)

We love you
We love you
And we hope that you will love “we,” too

We love “they”
We love “they”
And we want you to love “they,” too

We don't care if you hound “we”
And love is all around “we”
Love can't get our minds off
We love you (We love you)

You will never win “we”
Your uniforms don’t fit “we”
We forget the place we're in
‘cause we love you
(We love you) Of course we do

(I love you, I love you)
And I hope that you won’t prove wrong, too
(We love you) We do
(We love you) We do

Peter Tosh w/Mick Jagger - (You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back (1978)

Born Winston Hubert McIntosh, this reggae legend was a core member of The Wailers alongside Bob Marley and Bunny Livingston, as well as an accomplished solo artist. Raised by his aunt in Jamaica, Peter Tosh taught Marley and Livingston how to play guitar. A devout Rastafarian, he was responsible for writing (or co-writing) some of The Wailer’s most popular songs, including “Get Up, Stand Up,” “400 Years,” and “No Sympathy.” In 1973, a head on car-crash (not his fault) claimed the life of his girlfriend, Evonne, and fractured Tosh’s skull. Although he survived, it was said to have changed his personality and made him much more ill-tempered. Sadly, in 1987, Tosh was murdered by men who broke into his Jamaican home, attempting to rob and extort him.

This song, originally simplified “Don’t Look Back,” was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White (members of The Miracles) for The Temptations. Originally released by The Temptations in 1965 and covered by Tosh’s Wailers in 1966, this reggae version of the song was released on Tosh’s 1978 solo album, Bush Doctor, noted for its marijuana-scented scratch-n-sniff sticker on the cover. The vocals are shared by Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, while two other songs on the album, “Bush Doctor” and “Stand Firm,” featured The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards on guitar.



Peter Tosh w/Mick Jagger - (You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back (1978)

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Lyrics:

If it's love that you're runnin’ from
There is no hiding place
(You can't run, you can't hide, you can't run)

Just your problems; no one else's problems
You just have to face
(You can't run, you can't hide, you can't run)

So if you just put your hand in mine
We're gonna leave all our troubles behind
We gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)
Gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)

Now if your first lover let you down
There's somethin’ that can be done
(You can't run, you can't hide, you can't run)
Tell ‘er what to do, now

Don't heal your faith in love
Rememberin’ what's become
(You can't run, you can't hide, you can't run)
Oh, no

So if you just put your hand in mine
We're gonna leave all our troubles behind
We gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)
Gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)

If you just put your hand in mine
We're gonna leave all our troubles behind
We gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)
Keep on walkin’
Gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)

Places behind you
There to remind you

If your first lover broke your heart
Something can be done
(You can't run, you can't hide, you can't run)

Don't heal your faith in love
Rememberin’ what’s been lost
(You can't run, you can't hide, you can't run)

But if you just put your hand in mine
We're gonna leave all our troubles behind
We gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)
We gonna walk and don't look back
(Don't look back)
Gonna walk and don’t look back!

How far you been walkin’, man?
About a hundred miles
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)
You still got some more to walk, man
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)
I know, go ahead and let it go
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)
I'm gettin’ kinda tired, but I got to keep on walkin’
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)
I'm walkin’ barefoot
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)
You know…
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)

Keep on walkin’
We got to walk and don't look back
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)
A’keep on a’walkin’
We gonna walk and don't look back
(Keep on walkin’, don't look back)
A’keep on a’walkin’…

Marianne Faithfull - As Tears Go By (1964)

In the 1960s, this singer was known for her beautiful soft voice. In 1966 she started a highly publicized relationship with Mick Jagger and co-wrote “Sister Morphine” for The Rolling Stones. By 1970, the couple had split and any memory of her pop career was consumed by her new highly publicized battle with drugs. Having a library of songs written about her by top artists of the time, including the one found here, she has a life that cannot be summarized in this space.

This song, her first major hit, was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and featured Jimmy Page as a session musician. The Rolling Stones covered a successful version of it a year later in 1965. It’s a wonderful example of what a talented voice this singer had before her long battle with drugs, after which her voice took on a raspy and more gravelly nature.



Marianne Faithfull - As Tears Go By (1964)

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Lyrics:

It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see
But not for me
I sit and watch as tears go by

My riches can't buy everything
I want to hear the children sing
All I hear is the sound
Of rain falling on the ground
I sit and watch as tears go by

It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Doing things I used to do
They think are new
I sit and watch as tears go by

Hmm…

The Rolling Stones - Lady Jane (1966)

Formed in 1962 by childhood friends, and getting their name from a Muddy Waters song, this group is still together recording, performing, and remaining popular today. After reaching popularity in Europe, they came over in the first wave of the British Invasion hitting it big in the United States. They’re widely considered one of the greatest bands of all time.

I like this song for its classical/haunting sound. Whenever I hear this song, I picture it being sung in the great hall of an ancient castle, echoing off of the stone walls. The unique sound you can hear throughout the song is the dulcimer, being played by Brian Jones. This isn't the Stones you hear on the radio.



The Rolling Stones - Lady Jane (1966)

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Lyrics:

My sweet Lady Jane
When I see you again
Your servant, am I
And will humbly remain

Just heed this plea, my love
On bended knees, my love
I pledge myself to Lady Jane

My dear Lady Anne
I've done what I can
I must take my leave
For promised I am

This play is run, my love
Your time has come, my love
I've pledged my troth to Lady Jane

Oh, my sweet Marie
I wait at your ease
The sands have run out
For your lady and me

Wedlock is nigh, my love
Her station's right, my love
Life is secure with Lady Jane