Keno's ROLLING STONES Web Site

ROLLING STONES LYRICS

YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

Recorded on November 16 & 17, 1968. First released on Let It Bleed in 1969. Brian Jones ran into Al Kooper outside the studio during a break in the recording and invited him in to play on the track. Kooper became a main contributor to the song, whereas Jones, with his right hand in a cast, didn't play on the cut.
Lead Vocals: Mick Jagger Acoustic & Electric Guitars: Keith Richards Maracas & Congas: Rocky Dijon Bass: Bill Wyman French Horn: Al Kooper Piano & Organ: Al Kooper Drums: Jimmy Miller Choir: London Bach Choir Background Vocals: Madeline Bell, Nanette Newman, Doris Troy & the London Bach Choir.


YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT
(M. Jagger/K. Richards)

Choir:
I saw her today at a reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man

No, you can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
And if you try sometime you find
You get what you need

I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was, footloose man

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well you might find
You get what you need

Oh yea-ay (hey-hey-hey, oooh)

And I went down to the demonstration
To get my fair share of abuse
Singin', 'We're gonna vent our frustration
If we don't, we're gonna blow a 50-amp fuse'
Sing it to me, now

(You can't always get what you want)
(You can't always get what you want)
(You can't always get what you want)
But if you try sometimes, well you just might find
You get what you need
Ooh baby, yeah, ooh

I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standin' in line with Mr. Jimmy
A-man, did he look pretty ill

We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was 'dead'
I said to him

(You can't always get what you want) well no!
(You can't always get what you want) tell ya baby
(You can't always get what you want) no
But if you try sometimes, you just might find, mmm!
Mmm! you get what you need
Ooh yes! Woo!

(Instrumental & choir) Ooow-ooh!

You get what you need
Yeah!
Ooow, babe!
Ooh, yeah

I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands
Say it!

(You can't always get what you want) yeah!
(You can't always get a-what you want) ooo-yeah, baby!
(You can't always get a-what you want)
But if you try sometime, you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need

Ooh, yeah!
Ooh, baby!
Woo!

Ah, you can't always get a-what you want
No, no baby

You can't always get a-what you want
Tellin' you right now

You can't always get what you want, mmm!
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find, that ya
Get what you need
Oooh, yeah!

I'm tellin' the truth, babe

Ooow-ooh!
Ooow-ooh!
Ooow-ooh!........
(Instrumental & choir to end fade)

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