Took me a moment to notice this clip is 55 years old. Lyrics and all! This clip comes from The Electric Circus 1968, which was supposed to be a big Rolling Stones TV special. They made the mistake of inviting other bands so the Stones could be 'kings' at the end, but the Who ruined that plan by blowing them off the stage. (See the Who's clip, "A Quick One While He's Away", from this same event! Iconic.) So it sat in a vault instead for 30 years until getting released in the mid-90s. Great reaction, ladies, nice to see you back in action. - Glenn
Mick wrote this song after reading the Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. A Russian novel about the devil visiting post-revolution Russia. The Stones didn't release this film of the song for decades because they thought their performance was lacking as they hadn't toured in many years and The Who's performance at the Rock and Roll Circus was so sharp.
I'm 49 years old, I've known this song literally all my life, the Stones was one of the first bands I got into. I've heard the song thousands of times, and have watched many reaction videos for it. This is the first time I've heard anyone suggest the song could be from the perspective of God. And he never says he's the devil or Lucifer. The line is "as heads is tails, just call me Lucifer."
So glad you liked that. I’m 69 and grew up with this age of music. This music and this kind of performance is what we were drowned in. It was a fabulous time to be growing up. I’m so so lucky.
For my money, this is just one of the greatest songs ever recorded. The historical references, the drums, the "Woo woo" chorus, and most of all, the sheer nerve it took to write and release this song in the 1960's. I grew up with people who would be immediately offended by it without really listening to it. Just an amazing song, and one of the most important ones to boot.
Being European English Post war educated (when grammar schools like Mick's were brilliant) it was received positively as deeply intelligent. Large parts of southern USA, maybe not such breadth of thinking
Artists only had a problem with controversial subjects in the US. The rest of the world was pretty chill about it. But a lot of bands delved into these subjects when they were already were big stars in the US.
One of the Stones finest, and how cool was it to see John Lennon and Yoko freaking out in the audience too! Of course John and Jagger were good friends at the time. There was no 'rivalry' between both bands, it was all media generated because it suited the narrative at the time.
Good reaction. "The Devil is in all of us" was a lesson taught by my mother. And that's what's this song is about. Don't blame anyone but yourself for these tragedies, it's down to you. No one is completely good or completely bad so be careful when the devil in you pushes you towards an outcome. AND don't externalise it. It's you. All wrapped up in a funky rock song. Good, eh? Good performance by The Who from The Rock And Roll Circus but my fave is The Dirty Mac "Yer Blues" th-cam.com/video/JeFwaWFTGYU/w-d-xo.html
And that explains why the lyrics, what's my name, because it's many people, and right after that, is what's confusing you is the nature of my game. Interesting!
Sympathy for the Devil was influenced by the decadent/symbolist 19th century French poet Charles Baudelaire's 'Les Fleurs du mal' - Flowers of Evil, and is based on the book, 'The Master and Margarita', written during the Stalinist era by Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov. The story concerns a visit by the devil to the officially atheistic Soviet Union. The Master and Margarita combines supernatural elements with satirical dark comedy and Christian philosophy, defying categorization within a single genre. Many critics consider it to be one of the best novels of the 20th century, as well as the foremost of Soviet satires. Sympathy for the Devil is considered one of the 60's greatest counterculture songs of dread and should be viewed as a companion piece to the Stones apocalyptic Gimme Shelter, Street Fighting and Dylan's/Hendrix All Along the Watchtower. These song represent the revolutionary turbulence taking place in the West in 1968. Sympathy is a song of dread and foreboding that represents the dark side of the 60's. The lyrics: 'I watched with glee While your kings and queens Fought for ten decades For the gods they made' Is a reference to The Hundred Years' War a series of armed conflicts between the kingdoms of England and France during the Late Middle Ages. As for Jagger's voice it's fabulous and perfect for the song, a mixture of contempt, derision and mockery filtered through a camp Dylanesque Blues drawl; perfect for the character of Lucifer, 'a man of wealth and taste.'
Yep. Mick Jagger has always been the Eveready Bunny of rock & roll vocalists. You see the physicality he put into performing that song? At live concerts he put that into every song, start to finish. And, he never needed a choreographer, his body always just appeared to be moving in sync with his vocal chords, improvised on the spot without thought. Great band, great frontman.
Some health experts tried tracking the distance he travels during live shows. Factoring in his dancing as well as his strutting, running, turns, and rolling on the floor, they determined that Mick ultimately travels five miles a show.
Great interpretation. I was about to assume the expected one and move on but you surprised me. Interesting and now understand what your Mum said. Well done.😊
In the movie biz that is called continuity. Used to be that was the job of the continuity secretary. Probably called something else, nowadays. A good example was always the cigarette ash..It would be short, then the next shot it was 3 inches long..Or, a glass of milk was drunk down to near the bottom, then cut a way, come back, and it's a full glass, again...I remember watching a TV cop show in the 70's, and there was a cop/car chase scene, and every time they went from the cop to car scenes, the cop car kept changing from a Chevy, then a Ford, then a Chevy, and so on!!..It was ridiculously funny, but it you weren't paying attention you might not have caught it..Once I did, I couldn't unsee it!!..Hysterical!!. TV shows didn't have the budgets they do today, so you would see stuff like that, sometimes.
Keith is the lead guitarist and Brian Jones on rhythm guitar and he is the founder of the group and died about a year later in 1969 at his home in his swimming pool ..He was so scatter brained from drug abuse to the point that Mick and Keith had to make him leave the band ..
this video is from Rock N Roll Circus, it was recorded in 1969. It sat on a shelf for nearly 50 years because Mick and Keith didnt like their performance in this. It was a two day shoot, and since they went on last, in those days movies and/or videos were shot linearly, every scene in order, they had been up for both days.
Appreciate your honest reaction. You are both spot on. We just enjoyed music back then an occasionally picked up on lyrics like who killed kennedys etc.
That was a great live version of that song, and I can't decided whether I like it better on the version on Get Yer Ya-Yas Out. The album version on Beggar's Banquet is awesome too.
Gap ladies, the very lyric that you said confused you "Just like all the cops are criminals and all the sinners saints" is basically the crux of the song. (Of course, that lyric isn't necessarily always true. But keep in mind rock stars of that time hated the cops anyway so I digress.) The message of the song is that throughout history, there's been so many self righteous "good" people with their self righteous "good" causes, who in fact, were driven by evil in many of their deeds. So, he's saying, have some sympathy for the Devil because it's actually the devil that motivates some of you humans to do bad things to other humans in the name of "good". Also, note the lyric, "I watched with glee while your Kings and Queens fought for ten decades for the Gods they made". Anyway you get the gist of what he's saying. As for Momma gap saying she never listened to the lyrics when she was a young teenager. She shouldn't feel bad, Most teenagers didn't necessarily listen to lyrics of rock songs (unlike country songs which were pretty much all about the lyrics). In fact, I'd bet most of those stoned hippy girls and boys on that dance floor in this video weren't paying much attention to the lyrics. They were too preoccupied with watching Mick wiggling and jumping around like a jack rabbit and fainting at the sight it. (John Lennon and a few other musicians in that crowd are probably the only ones that took note of the lyrics). Most of us teens at that time, just like your mom, were more focused on the music, the beat and the guitars etc. Heck, to be honest, half the time you couldn't hear or understand what the singer was singing anyway. And someone like Mick Jagger is a little hard to understand a lot of the time. I admit, for a long time I thought he was singing, "but while fussing you is just the nature of my game" or "while bussing you is just the nature of my game", and I was like, well what does that mean? but I didn't think about it much. It was just another song on the radio in the background that I'd hear while working or whatever. It wasn't until years later when I was able to see the lyrics in print or watched lyric videos that I discovered he's saying "what's puzzling you is just the nature of my game." (Then it made more sense.) And then you also have rock songs where the lyrics make no sense. I never knew anyone back in the seventies when I was a teen that actually could decipher without a doubt what the hell "Stairway To Heaven" is really talking about, lol. They just thought it was cool sounding song and liked Jimmy Page's guitar solo. All that said, "Sympathy For The Devil" is a brillianly written song because the message is so correct and right on about how much of the history of human existence has unfolded. Oh, and a side note, have you ever noticed that the word "Devil" has the word evil in it?...Thanks Gap ladies for the reaction.
If course the lyrics all the cops are criminals and all the sinners saints are words as spoken from the mind or perspective of the devil.. not of jagger
@@manny4552 Well or course, it's from the mind and perspective of Mick Jaggar (and Keith Richards. ) Aferall, they wrote the song's lyrics...not the devil. Do you _really_ think they didn't interject some of their own perspectives into their own lyrics?
@@moonbeam2062 it's supposed to be what the devil might think.. or want us to think.... Wether or not jagger who wrote the song really feels that every cop is a criminal is not the point... No one asked him .. obviously he's playing a role in the song... It's like what actors do
For years I listened to Brown Sugar without listening to the lyrics. When I first read the lyrics wow would not get away with it today but still a good song.
The reason the song is so upbeat is because it's the view of the Devil himself. Of course he's happy with people dying, especially when they've violated the "rules". As we say here in Texas; Y'all be safe.
Just a list of the historical events mentioned in the song for anyone who may be uncertain about some of the lyrics. "I was 'round when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain, Made damned sure that Pilate washed his hands and sealed his fate" (reference to Roman governor, Pontius Pilate who crucified Christ on the cross). "Stuck around St Petersburg when I saw it was a time for a change. Killed the Czar and his ministers, Anastasia screamed in vain" (reference to when the Bolsheviks took control and killed Czar Nicholas II of Russia and his family. Anastasia was the youngest of his daughters who were all murdered. She was 17 years old when it happened. It was thought she may have survived until her remains were found and confirmed in 2007). "I rode a tank, held a General's rank when the Blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank" (This could be a reference to either German Generalfeldmarschall Rommel or US General George Patton. Both commanded tank divisions in WWII. Patton is most famous for the Battle of the Bulge. The largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the United States in the war. And the and the third-deadliest campaign in American history. ** My great uncle served under Patton and was there for that battle and others. He refused to ever talk about the war!) The "Blitzkrieg" is a military tactic of launching a fast, rapid advance of combined arms to achieve an overwhelming surprise attack on the enemy. "I watched with glee while your Kings and Queens fought for ten decades for the Gods they made". (Pretty sure this is a reference to the Crusades and Holy Wars which actually lasted about 3 centuries I believe. Or maybe the Religious Wars in Europe from 1517 to1648). "I shouted out who killed the Kennedys when after all it was you and me" (Reference to the assassinations of President John F Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy) "I laid traps for the troubadours who get killed before they reach Bombay" (I've read that "troubadour" in this context is a metaphor for musicians, poets and artists. The line about getting "killed before they reach Bombay" is a metaphor for their messages being deliberately sabotaged or thwarted on some way by others who disliked what they were about. Bombay (Known as Mumbai, India today) was a hub for musicians, poets and artistic expression.)
"Sympathy", which is a samba, was on the brand-new "Beggars Banquet", the band's only album release of 1968. To promote the LP, "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" was filmed December 11 and 12, 1968, and featured, besides the main attraction, the Who and the early Jethro Tull (with Tony Iommi filling in on guitar). The Stones were in good form, but the band didn't like the performance, and the concert was never broadcast. It wasn't released until 1996. This show marked the final appearance of Brian Jones with the group; he was, by then, alienated from the other band members. He is relegated to maracas here, and seems to be merely going through the motions. He was asked to leave the following May, and died in July, 1969, drowning in his own swimming pool.
Great choice! One of the greatest rock songs ever! Y ou would love the live version from the get her Yas Yas out album from the 69 your recorded at Madison Square Garden one the best live albums out there!
Dark lyrics with upbeat music seems to be a thing in the late '60s and '70s. Many of the older generation considered Mick Jagger to be the Devil incarnate. Never saw this video before. Thanks. That was fun to see. (at the time, I never paid attention to lyrics also) Nice take on the lyrics (and fashion). Cool.
That was quite the performance! Mick Jagger is charismatic on stage. Great beat. I need to read those lyrics just out of curiosity. I just know that the devil is a fallen angel and a liar and tempter. As an angel, he said, “I will be like the most high.” That is when God cast him out of Heaven. Yes, sure enough, that was John Lennon Yoko Ono. They were definitely enjoying the music. John really appreciated the music of others. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Haram was one of his favorite songs. He also ran into Karen Carpenter at a restaurant one time, and paid her a huge compliment. You who else I thought I saw in the audience in this concert? Patti Boyd. I could be wrong.
Now I don't remember ever owning any Stones albums back in the day, at my age those decades are a blur, but I never changed the station when one came on.
He (the devil) is singing about all the people he has been throughout history. "Drove a tank, held a generals rank (that would have been the german general Rommel) when the blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank (WWII)".
I'll give them credit for reacting to a live version of this song. Most reactors react to the stupid studio version with the Stones GFs doing the ridiculous woo-woos. On GET YER YA YAS OUT, the Stones best live album, the live version of this song is INCREDIBLE. No more dumb ass woo woos. Instead, you get this blazing guitar solo from MICK TAYLOR. That guitar solo is EPIC. HISTORIC.
Maraccas were very cool in the 60s, but often just a means of giving a vocalist who couyldn't play anything else something to do. Every would-be band would try them as a cool alternative to the tambourine (too much Salvation Army).
The devil is boasting of his role in all these events & he wants his credit so "say my name!" Sympathy for him meaning he feels like he isn't getting the credit he deserves. I didn't pay deep attention to lyrics when I was a teenager. Great reaction!!
Mick is saying have some sympathy for the devil as the devil has been blamed for various wars and assassinations. Whereas, as Mick says, it's because of you and me.
Great reaction! There were a few famous people from that time period in the the crowd….of John and Yoko , but there also members of the Who , The Doors, and few solo artists…I think your that theory about it being the Devil’s perspective was correct…he was saying man was to blame for actual committing of the horrible tragedies in history and the devil was being used as a scapegoat, but it’s still the Devil, so in regards to the cops are criminals/sinners are saints line, from Devil’s perspective they would be…the song isn’t saying the Devil’s a good guy, just he shouldn’t get all the blame…
The main lyrical inspiration for “Sympathy For The Devil” come from a combination of sources Mick Jagger referenced back in 1968. One known source is Charles Baudelaire the French writer and the other is Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel ‘The Master And The Margarita’. His then girlfriend Marianne Faithfull gifted the latter to him. The book features the Russian writer skillfully blending fantasy with social satire. Baudelaire for example compares the life of Jesus Christ with that of an artist in Soviet Russia, against the backdrop of arbitrary attest and psychiatric hospitals.
I enjoy watching you. i have heard this song hundreds of times but this caught my attention this time around. "Just as every cop is a criminal and all the sinners saints, as heads is tails, just call me Lucifer. Cause I'm in need of some restraints". This feels like it is for today also.
There's a whole lot to uncover about this performance. There were a lot more stars there, Pete Townshend and more of the Who, Clapton, many more. Last performance with the Stones for Brian Jones.
The song is about how the devil gets blamed, "the devil made me do it" and often its just a cop out .We are all capable of evil so beware , is the message.
You should see that entire show, The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus is classic, with The Who and Jethro Tull amo get others also performing and the crowd is lit with celebrities like John Lennon and Eric Clapton who jam an incredible Your Blues. That show is well worth a look, enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
Great reaction. You two have great energy and family dynamic. Might I recommend some of my fav acts? Minutemen, the Clash, the Slits, Crass, Billy Bragg, Poison Girls, Blondie, Dead Kennedys (I know it's offensive but they were a harsh Truth punk act), the Dicks, the Dils...I love protest songs and free speech! Peace from Abq, NM
The Dick Clark generation, "I never listened to the lyrics, I just liked the beat." So many of the songs back then had tremendous lyrics and they were aimed at social issues and the war. This one also is aimed at all this as we dismiss mankind's evil as they work of the Devil and fail to make it ours. The part about giving the Devil his due is actually sarcasm for making it all his fault. Here he is saying yeah blame me, because it allows you to continue with your wars, exploitations, and hatreds. Very clever song with a great beat. That is also a part of the point - the beat distracts you from the essence of the lyrics.
this was taken from the rolling stone's 1969 tv-show that never aired called "the rock and roll circus." it never aired because brian jones, the blonde cat playing the maracas, the founder of the stones, was ousted from the group and died soon after the tv-show was recorded. this isn't the best version of this song. i always suggest listening to the studio versions of songs before live versions. the tv-show, recorded december 1968, had the who, jethro tull, taj mahall, marianne faithful and a super group named "the dirty mac" formed just for this show consisting of john lennon, eric clapton, keith richards and mitch mitchell performing the beatles "yer blues" from their white album. the stones, of course, close their own tv-show. the show remained unreleased until about 2005 or something. they released it on dvd. all the performances are really good and the video is worth a look. thanks for the video.
Such a deep dark song!! If you playback the lyric “I Shouted Out Who Killed The Kennedy’s, Well After All, It Was You And Me”. He’s referencing to John Kennedy being shot and killed in 1963 and then 5 years later his brother Bobby being shot and killed. Another deep lyric driven song is “Street Fighting Man”. Mick Jagger’s vocals are spot on!! 🤟🤟🤟
I was 18 when this came out on the Beggars Banquet Album. I've heard it a ton on the album and I have to say the Album sounds so much better "much fuller" than this live version " a bit thin". Prob just me though, lol. Was a great tune to add to your getting stoned repertoire back in the day....Thx for your reactions MG/BG :)
This is an amazing song!! Although I think it's time for more Bee Gees, and the next one should be Our Love Don't Throw It All Away (Andy Gibb song). It was written by the brothers for Andy and it was one of his biggest hits. The Brothers Gibb perform it live at their One Night Only show and talk about a beautiful tribute! Remember it's an Andy Gibb song, initially, although they recorded it after he passed. Pay close attention to the visual on the 2nd verse. You will love it!!!
I think he's just saying something along the lines of "Yeah, I'm the Devil and I tempted you into doing all that terrible stuff, but ultimately you were weak and you did it yourself, not me."
I see John and Yoko but is that Pete Townsend in the green? The camera stops for a moment that what really made me look. To me it looks like a young Pete Townsend.
*Maybe you know it from the GUNS N' ROSES cover version, which was released in 1994 and was used in the end credits of the movie "Interview With A Vampire" (1995)(Starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt).* 🎵🎬📽🎬🎵🎸💿🎵🔥
Took me a moment to notice this clip is 55 years old. Lyrics and all! This clip comes from The Electric Circus 1968, which was supposed to be a big Rolling Stones TV special. They made the mistake of inviting other bands so the Stones could be 'kings' at the end, but the Who ruined that plan by blowing them off the stage. (See the Who's clip, "A Quick One While He's Away", from this same event! Iconic.) So it sat in a vault instead for 30 years until getting released in the mid-90s. Great reaction, ladies, nice to see you back in action. - Glenn
This video is from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. Great concert with a lot of good talent. Definitely worth checking out the full concert.
This is not the only Stones song with upbeat and dark lyrics, "Paint It Black" comes to mind. A song you should definitely react to
Agree Paint it black with charlie Watts on the drums is great!
Paint it black their most popular song comes to mind😂😂😂 you fake fans are hilarious. Gimme shelter comes to mind too😂😂😂
@@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek nice - since this is about reacting to songs for the first time - of course the top songs are mentioned
Mick wrote this song after reading the Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. A Russian novel about the devil visiting post-revolution Russia. The Stones didn't release this film of the song for decades because they thought their performance was lacking as they hadn't toured in many years and The Who's performance at the Rock and Roll Circus was so sharp.
I'm 49 years old, I've known this song literally all my life, the Stones was one of the first bands I got into. I've heard the song thousands of times, and have watched many reaction videos for it. This is the first time I've heard anyone suggest the song could be from the perspective of God. And he never says he's the devil or Lucifer. The line is "as heads is tails, just call me Lucifer."
It's music and a history lesson.
probably Keith's most iconic solo, both for the studio and all the live versions
So glad you liked that. I’m 69 and grew up with this age of music. This music and this kind of performance is what we were drowned in. It was a fabulous time to be growing up. I’m so so lucky.
I have always loved the insanity of this performance 😂 Parents must have been terrified. Pete Townsend of the Who was in there too.
For my money, this is just one of the greatest songs ever recorded. The historical references, the drums, the "Woo woo" chorus, and most of all, the sheer nerve it took to write and release this song in the 1960's. I grew up with people who would be immediately offended by it without really listening to it. Just an amazing song, and one of the most important ones to boot.
Your a man of wealth and taste 👍🏼😆
Being European English Post war educated (when grammar schools like Mick's were brilliant) it was received positively as deeply intelligent. Large parts of southern USA, maybe not such breadth of thinking
Artists only had a problem with controversial subjects in the US. The rest of the world was pretty chill about it. But a lot of bands delved into these subjects when they were already were big stars in the US.
One of the Stones finest, and how cool was it to see John Lennon and Yoko freaking out in the audience too! Of course John and Jagger were good friends at the time. There was no 'rivalry' between both bands, it was all media generated because it suited the narrative at the time.
Pete Townsend was also applauding wildly.
Good reaction.
"The Devil is in all of us" was a lesson taught by my mother. And that's what's this song is about. Don't blame anyone but yourself for these tragedies, it's down to you. No one is completely good or completely bad so be careful when the devil in you pushes you towards an outcome. AND don't externalise it. It's you.
All wrapped up in a funky rock song. Good, eh?
Good performance by The Who from The Rock And Roll Circus but my fave is The Dirty Mac "Yer Blues" th-cam.com/video/JeFwaWFTGYU/w-d-xo.html
And that explains why the lyrics, what's my name, because it's many people, and right after that, is what's confusing you is the nature of my game. Interesting!
Sympathy for the Devil was influenced by the decadent/symbolist 19th century French poet Charles Baudelaire's 'Les Fleurs du mal' - Flowers of Evil, and is based on the book, 'The Master and Margarita', written during the Stalinist era by Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov. The story concerns a visit by the devil to the officially atheistic Soviet Union. The Master and Margarita combines supernatural elements with satirical dark comedy and Christian philosophy, defying categorization within a single genre. Many critics consider it to be one of the best novels of the 20th century, as well as the foremost of Soviet satires.
Sympathy for the Devil is considered one of the 60's greatest counterculture songs of dread and should be viewed as a companion piece to the Stones apocalyptic Gimme Shelter, Street Fighting and Dylan's/Hendrix All Along the Watchtower. These song represent the revolutionary turbulence taking place in the West in 1968. Sympathy is a song of dread and foreboding that represents the dark side of the 60's.
The lyrics:
'I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made'
Is a reference to The Hundred Years' War a series of armed conflicts between the kingdoms of England and France during the Late Middle Ages.
As for Jagger's voice it's fabulous and perfect for the song, a mixture of contempt, derision and mockery filtered through a camp Dylanesque Blues drawl; perfect for the character of Lucifer, 'a man of wealth and taste.'
Yep. Mick Jagger has always been the Eveready Bunny of rock & roll vocalists. You see the physicality he put into performing that song? At live concerts he put that into every song, start to finish. And, he never needed a choreographer, his body always just appeared to be moving in sync with his vocal chords, improvised on the spot without thought. Great band, great frontman.
Some health experts tried tracking the distance he travels during live shows. Factoring in his dancing as well as his strutting, running, turns, and rolling on the floor, they determined that Mick ultimately travels five miles a show.
I never saw this before- thanks ! Outstanding !
This is from Rock N Roll Circus tv special recorded Dec 1968
Such a classic. And to my vast memory of R&R lyrics, the only song that uses the word "politesse". Good word from Mick.
I have always liked this song! The early Stones were great!
Great interpretation. I was about to assume the expected one and move on but you surprised me. Interesting and now understand what your Mum said. Well done.😊
One of the finest uk 🇬🇧 bands to ever come from our shores . rip charlie watts .
This is actually the very first time that The Stones ever played this song live.
Brand new….Dec 1968
Love this song .Forgot about this show .
Every big name was there, The Beatles, The Who, and on and on. I believe this was from a show they did called Rock And Roll Circus.
It was. I've got the dvd
is this from "Rock n Roll Circus" ? the guy on bongos is fantastic!
In the movie biz that is called continuity. Used to be that was the job of the continuity secretary. Probably called something else, nowadays. A good example was always the cigarette ash..It would be short, then the next shot it was 3 inches long..Or, a glass of milk was drunk down to near the bottom, then cut a way, come back, and it's a full glass, again...I remember watching a TV cop show in the 70's, and there was a cop/car chase scene, and every time they went from the cop to car scenes, the cop car kept changing from a Chevy, then a Ford, then a Chevy, and so on!!..It was ridiculously funny, but it you weren't paying attention you might not have caught it..Once I did, I couldn't unsee it!!..Hysterical!!. TV shows didn't have the budgets they do today, so you would see stuff like that, sometimes.
Wow, I love this song...but I have never seen this version...Thank you
Keith is the lead guitarist and Brian Jones on rhythm guitar and he is the founder of the group and died about a year later in 1969 at his home in his swimming pool ..He was so scatter brained from drug abuse to the point that Mick and Keith had to make him leave the band ..
Great reaction. "Brown Sugar" is another great Stones song with an upbeat tune but a really dark message.
this video is from Rock N Roll Circus, it was recorded in 1969. It sat on a shelf for nearly 50 years because Mick and Keith didnt like their performance in this. It was a two day shoot, and since they went on last, in those days movies and/or videos were shot linearly, every scene in order, they had been up for both days.
I rarely even heard the lyrics, it was always about the music.
I have heard of Mick's performance style described as " a rooster on acid" lol
Appreciate your honest reaction. You are both spot on. We just enjoyed music back then an occasionally picked up on lyrics like who killed kennedys etc.
Great reaction to the greatest band.
That was a great live version of that song, and I can't decided whether I like it better on the version on Get Yer Ya-Yas Out. The album version on Beggar's Banquet is awesome too.
The following month, January, 1969, Michael Lindsay-Hogg filmed The Beatles at work in Let It Be.
Mick Jagger, a typical reserved English man, lol. Also in the crowd at the end was Pete Townshend from the Who.
Gap ladies, the very lyric that you said confused you "Just like all the cops are criminals and all the sinners saints" is basically the crux of the song. (Of course, that lyric isn't necessarily always true. But keep in mind rock stars of that time hated the cops anyway so I digress.) The message of the song is that throughout history, there's been so many self righteous "good" people with their self righteous "good" causes, who in fact, were driven by evil in many of their deeds. So, he's saying, have some sympathy for the Devil because it's actually the devil that motivates some of you humans to do bad things to other humans in the name of "good". Also, note the lyric, "I watched with glee while your Kings and Queens fought for ten decades for the Gods they made". Anyway you get the gist of what he's saying. As for Momma gap saying she never listened to the lyrics when she was a young teenager. She shouldn't feel bad, Most teenagers didn't necessarily listen to lyrics of rock songs (unlike country songs which were pretty much all about the lyrics). In fact, I'd bet most of those stoned hippy girls and boys on that dance floor in this video weren't paying much attention to the lyrics. They were too preoccupied with watching Mick wiggling and jumping around like a jack rabbit and fainting at the sight it. (John Lennon and a few other musicians in that crowd are probably the only ones that took note of the lyrics). Most of us teens at that time, just like your mom, were more focused on the music, the beat and the guitars etc. Heck, to be honest, half the time you couldn't hear or understand what the singer was singing anyway. And someone like Mick Jagger is a little hard to understand a lot of the time. I admit, for a long time I thought he was singing, "but while fussing you is just the nature of my game" or "while bussing you is just the nature of my game", and I was like, well what does that mean? but I didn't think about it much. It was just another song on the radio in the background that I'd hear while working or whatever. It wasn't until years later when I was able to see the lyrics in print or watched lyric videos that I discovered he's saying "what's puzzling you is just the nature of my game." (Then it made more sense.) And then you also have rock songs where the lyrics make no sense. I never knew anyone back in the seventies when I was a teen that actually could decipher without a doubt what the hell "Stairway To Heaven" is really talking about, lol. They just thought it was cool sounding song and liked Jimmy Page's guitar solo. All that said, "Sympathy For The Devil" is a brillianly written song because the message is so correct and right on about how much of the history of human existence has unfolded. Oh, and a side note, have you ever noticed that the word "Devil" has the word evil in it?...Thanks Gap ladies for the reaction.
If course the lyrics all the cops are criminals and all the sinners saints are words as spoken from the mind or perspective of the devil.. not of jagger
@@manny4552 Well or course, it's from the mind and perspective of Mick Jaggar (and Keith Richards. ) Aferall, they wrote the song's lyrics...not the devil. Do you _really_ think they didn't interject some of their own perspectives into their own lyrics?
@@moonbeam2062 it's supposed to be what the devil might think.. or want us to think.... Wether or not jagger who wrote the song really feels that every cop is a criminal is not the point... No one asked him .. obviously he's playing a role in the song... It's like what actors do
@@manny4552 Well, then,...why are you making it a point? 😄
For years I listened to Brown Sugar without listening to the lyrics. When I first read the lyrics wow would not get away with it today but still a good song.
Another great reaction , I love the reaction on BG's face when she realises that she knows the song 😂❤
The reason the song is so upbeat is because it's the view of the Devil himself. Of course he's happy with people dying, especially when they've violated the "rules".
As we say here in Texas; Y'all be safe.
Thank you for reacting to the right video!
With the Rolling Stones, you're always going to get great rock and roll. Mick Jagger is one of rock's greatest showman.
Excellent! Great reaction!
Just a list of the historical events mentioned in the song for anyone who may be uncertain about some of the lyrics.
"I was 'round when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain, Made damned sure that Pilate washed his hands and sealed his fate"
(reference to Roman governor, Pontius Pilate who crucified Christ on the cross).
"Stuck around St Petersburg when I saw it was a time for a change. Killed the Czar and his ministers, Anastasia screamed in vain"
(reference to when the Bolsheviks took control and killed Czar Nicholas II of Russia and his family. Anastasia was the youngest of his daughters who were all murdered. She was 17 years old when it happened. It was thought she may have survived until her remains were found and confirmed in 2007).
"I rode a tank, held a General's rank when the Blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank"
(This could be a reference to either German Generalfeldmarschall Rommel or US General George Patton. Both commanded tank divisions in WWII. Patton is most famous for the Battle of the Bulge. The largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the United States in the war. And the and the third-deadliest campaign in American history. ** My great uncle served under Patton and was there for that battle and others. He refused to ever talk about the war!) The "Blitzkrieg" is a military tactic of launching a fast, rapid advance of combined arms to achieve an overwhelming surprise attack on the enemy.
"I watched with glee while your Kings and Queens fought for ten decades for the Gods they made".
(Pretty sure this is a reference to the Crusades and Holy Wars which actually lasted about 3 centuries I believe. Or maybe the Religious Wars in Europe from 1517 to1648).
"I shouted out who killed the Kennedys when after all it was you and me"
(Reference to the assassinations of President John F Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy)
"I laid traps for the troubadours who get killed before they reach Bombay"
(I've read that "troubadour" in this context is a metaphor for musicians, poets and artists. The line about getting "killed before they reach Bombay" is a metaphor for their messages being deliberately sabotaged or thwarted on some way by others who disliked what they were about. Bombay (Known as Mumbai, India today) was a hub for musicians, poets and artistic expression.)
Not Just Lennon, but Andy Fairweather Lowe, Amen Corner, (If Paradise is Half as Nice), and Pete Townshend (The Who)
"Sympathy", which is a samba, was on the brand-new "Beggars Banquet", the band's only album release of 1968. To promote the LP, "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" was filmed December 11 and 12, 1968, and featured, besides the main attraction, the Who and the early Jethro Tull (with Tony Iommi filling in on guitar). The Stones were in good form, but the band didn't like the performance, and the concert was never broadcast. It wasn't released until 1996. This show marked the final appearance of Brian Jones with the group; he was, by then, alienated from the other band members. He is relegated to maracas here, and seems to be merely going through the motions. He was asked to leave the following May, and died in July, 1969, drowning in his own swimming pool.
Great choice! One of the greatest rock songs ever! Y ou would love the live version from the get her Yas Yas out album from the 69 your recorded at Madison Square Garden one the best live albums out there!
Pete Townsend of the who was also there looked so young.
Great take on what the song was about.
Dark lyrics with upbeat music seems to be a thing in the late '60s and '70s. Many of the older generation considered Mick Jagger to be the Devil incarnate.
Never saw this video before. Thanks. That was fun to see. (at the time, I never paid attention to lyrics also) Nice take on the lyrics (and fashion). Cool.
Phil Collins and Genesis sometimes do the music/lyrics disconnect thing (on purpose) as do many others. I keep confusing Mick and Phil, don't you?
One of the last appearances of Brian Jones. Reduced to 'playing' maracas
That was quite the performance! Mick Jagger is charismatic on stage. Great beat. I need to read those lyrics just out of curiosity. I just know that the devil is a fallen angel and a liar and tempter. As an angel, he said, “I will be like the most high.” That is when God cast him out of Heaven. Yes, sure enough, that was John Lennon Yoko Ono. They were definitely enjoying the music. John really appreciated the music of others. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Haram was one of his favorite songs. He also ran into Karen Carpenter at a restaurant one time, and paid her a huge compliment. You who else I thought I saw in the audience in this concert? Patti Boyd. I could be wrong.
Loved your face when you noticed that was John Lennon dancing in the audience.
Now I don't remember ever owning any Stones albums back in the day, at my age those decades are a blur, but I never changed the station when one came on.
Hence the term:
"MOVES LIKE JAGGER!" 🤣
He (the devil) is singing about all the people he has been throughout history. "Drove a tank, held a generals rank (that would have been the german general Rommel) when the blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank (WWII)".
I'll give them credit for reacting to a live version of this song. Most reactors react to the stupid studio version with the Stones GFs doing the ridiculous woo-woos. On GET YER YA YAS OUT, the Stones best live album, the live version of this song is INCREDIBLE. No more dumb ass woo woos. Instead, you get this blazing guitar solo from MICK TAYLOR. That guitar solo is EPIC. HISTORIC.
Maraccas were very cool in the 60s, but often just a means of giving a vocalist who couyldn't play anything else something to do. Every would-be band would try them as a cool alternative to the tambourine (too much Salvation Army).
11:21 Pete Townsend of _The Who_
The devil is boasting of his role in all these events & he wants his credit so "say my name!" Sympathy for him meaning he feels like he isn't getting the credit he deserves. I didn't pay deep attention to lyrics when I was a teenager. Great reaction!!
Mick is saying have some sympathy for the devil as the devil has been blamed for various wars and assassinations. Whereas, as Mick says, it's because of you and me.
That’s john & Yoko in the audience, amongst others. Great live performance
Mick Jagger will turn 80 years old this july, and he keeps almost the same performance on stage. He is really amazing!
Great reaction! There were a few famous people from that time period in the the crowd….of John and Yoko , but there also members of the Who , The Doors, and few solo artists…I think your that theory about it being the Devil’s perspective was correct…he was saying man was to blame for actual committing of the horrible tragedies in history and the devil was being used as a scapegoat, but it’s still the Devil, so in regards to the cops are criminals/sinners are saints line, from Devil’s perspective they would be…the song isn’t saying the Devil’s a good guy, just he shouldn’t get all the blame…
The main lyrical inspiration for “Sympathy For The Devil” come from a combination of sources Mick Jagger referenced back in 1968. One known source is Charles Baudelaire the French writer and the other is Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel ‘The Master And The Margarita’. His then girlfriend Marianne Faithfull gifted the latter to him. The book features the Russian writer skillfully blending fantasy with social satire. Baudelaire for example compares the life of Jesus Christ with that of an artist in Soviet Russia, against the backdrop of arbitrary attest and psychiatric hospitals.
John Lennon, who attended with Yoko Ono and son Julian, can be seen in the crowd. He participated in the "Dirty Mac" pickup group session.
From the RS' Rock n Roll Circus. You ladies really need to do The Who - A Quick One While He's Away, from the same show.
I enjoy watching you. i have heard this song hundreds of times but this caught my attention this time around. "Just as every cop is a criminal and all the sinners saints, as heads is tails, just call me Lucifer. Cause I'm in need of some restraints". This feels like it is for today also.
There's a whole lot to uncover about this performance. There were a lot more stars there, Pete Townshend and more of the Who, Clapton, many more. Last performance with the Stones for Brian Jones.
I can't believe a lot of people didn't know who he was singing about. Lucifer!!!!
The song is about how the devil gets blamed, "the devil made me do it" and often its just a cop out .We are all capable of evil so beware , is the message.
I love how John Lennon is enjoying this show so much, just jamming out in the crowd, the Stones at their peak is pure entertainment
No one has the moves like Jagger
He was once describe as a Rooster on Speed.
The basis of the song is the devil saying "Remember this, and that which happened? That was ME. But, I had help from YOU!"
You should see that entire show, The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus is classic, with The Who and Jethro Tull amo get others also performing and the crowd is lit with celebrities like John Lennon and Eric Clapton who jam an incredible Your Blues. That show is well worth a look, enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
Great reaction. You two have great energy and family dynamic. Might I recommend some of my fav acts? Minutemen, the Clash, the Slits, Crass, Billy Bragg, Poison Girls, Blondie, Dead Kennedys (I know it's offensive but they were a harsh Truth punk act), the Dicks, the Dils...I love protest songs and free speech! Peace from Abq, NM
Pete Townsend, from The Who, was also in that audience, probably looking for ideas!! 😲
There was a thing known as "the Jagger swagger" That's how some girls would describe a boy she liked . Lol
The Dick Clark generation, "I never listened to the lyrics, I just liked the beat." So many of the songs back then had tremendous lyrics and they were aimed at social issues and the war. This one also is aimed at all this as we dismiss mankind's evil as they work of the Devil and fail to make it ours. The part about giving the Devil his due is actually sarcasm for making it all his fault. Here he is saying yeah blame me, because it allows you to continue with your wars, exploitations, and hatreds. Very clever song with a great beat. That is also a part of the point - the beat distracts you from the essence of the lyrics.
So in Catholic and Lutheran theology all believers are Sinner and Saints at the same time.
Pete Townsend was there to the left of John and yoko also.
this was taken from the rolling stone's 1969 tv-show that never aired called "the rock and roll circus." it never aired because brian jones, the blonde cat playing the maracas, the founder of the stones, was ousted from the group and died soon after the tv-show was recorded.
this isn't the best version of this song. i always suggest listening to the studio versions of songs before live versions. the tv-show, recorded december 1968, had the who, jethro tull, taj mahall, marianne faithful and a super group named "the dirty mac" formed just for this show consisting of john lennon, eric clapton, keith richards and mitch mitchell performing the beatles "yer blues" from their white album. the stones, of course, close their own tv-show.
the show remained unreleased until about 2005 or something. they released it on dvd. all the performances are really good and the video is worth a look. thanks for the video.
Any song that John Lennon is freaking out to, is cool by definition.
Some said the Stones made a deal with the devil. I wonder where they got that idea?
Such a deep dark song!! If you playback the lyric “I Shouted Out Who Killed The Kennedy’s, Well After All, It Was You And Me”. He’s referencing to John Kennedy being shot and killed in 1963 and then 5 years later his brother Bobby being shot and killed. Another deep lyric driven song is “Street Fighting Man”. Mick Jagger’s vocals are spot on!! 🤟🤟🤟
If you watched Interview with the Vampire, you might recognise it from there
Besides Yoko and John Lennon, I saw Pete Townsend and Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and who might have been Taj Mahal.
When John Lennon stands up...probably done well.
Excelente
I was 18 when this came out on the Beggars Banquet Album. I've heard it a ton on the album and I have to say the Album sounds so much better "much fuller" than this live version " a bit thin". Prob just me though, lol. Was a great tune to add to your getting stoned repertoire back in the day....Thx for your reactions MG/BG :)
This is an amazing song!! Although I think it's time for more Bee Gees, and the next one should be Our Love Don't Throw It All Away (Andy Gibb song). It was written by the brothers for Andy and it was one of his biggest hits. The Brothers Gibb perform it live at their One Night Only show and talk about a beautiful tribute! Remember it's an Andy Gibb song, initially, although they recorded it after he passed. Pay close attention to the visual on the 2nd verse. You will love it!!!
For the record, the song "Moves Like Jagger " is not about his dancing. 😁
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At 7:42, did you notice John Lennon rocking out in the audience!?😅
it's a history lesson in a song!!! studio version may be better, but great song!!!
I think he's just saying something along the lines of "Yeah, I'm the Devil and I tempted you into doing all that terrible stuff, but ultimately you were weak and you did it yourself, not me."
I see John and Yoko but is that Pete Townsend in the green? The camera stops for a moment that what really made me look. To me it looks like a young Pete Townsend.
*Maybe you know it from the GUNS N' ROSES cover version, which was released in 1994 and was used in the end credits of the movie "Interview With A Vampire" (1995)(Starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt).* 🎵🎬📽🎬🎵🎸💿🎵🔥
The music is like the devil having a party in hell bragging about his deeds.
I lay traps for troubadors who get killed before they reach Bombay....refers to the assassination of Ghandi.