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Assuming as a basis that the Rolling Stones have been one of the fundamental groups of popular music, of importance matched by very few others (among them, their "historical rivals" Beatles), and that before their decline and stylistic flattening they had a golden age, well, this album perhaps marks the highest point reached by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Brian Jones (founding member, who died a few years later under still mysterious circumstances).
"Aftermath" is the first album that contains exclusively original songs and the first after the consecration through the famous single "(I can't get no) Satisfaction", the "perfect" song which, according to Roger Daltrey of the Who, condemned them to play for another forty years, and above all the first of the masterpieces that established the global and immortal success of the group, before "Beggar's Banquet", "Let It Bleed", and "Sticky Fingers". The album opens with "Paint It Black", which incidentally marked my infatuation with rock music (I heard it over the end credits of "Full Metal Jacket", and if good old Stanley chose it, it means it has something special. . .) and I still consider it my favorite track. Musically, this song is imbued with an unparalleled power, which four decades of hard rock, heavy metal, and other increasingly aggressive styles have not managed to surpass, nor probably ever will: listen to the covers by Judas Priest and Marilyn Manson to believe it. On a relatively simple melodic skeleton, characterized by a sharp sitar played by Jones, the Stones explode with an overwhelming and perfect blues energy, almost oceanic. (Speaking of covers, I recommend also seeking out those by Incubus, REM, U2, and Doors to simultaneously understand the enormous potential of the song and the magical, indescribable insuperability of the original.)
The only track that can hold its own against "Paint it Black" is the magnificent "Under My Thumb", supported by one of Jagger's best and most "acted" performances. In addition, pieces of varying quality, different styles (r&b, blues-rock, psychedelia, elements of folk and jazz), and above all different topics and sentiments: "Going Home" on the theme of travel, the apocalyptic "Flight 505" and the hopeful "I Am Waiting", the misogynistic "Stupid Girl" and the sarcastic "Mother's Little Helper" about the frustrating condition of women crushed by a male-dominated society who need the little helper of tranquilizers and the like to get by. Along with "Out Of Time", the latter is one of the two gems contained in the CD reissue of the album, which should be approached with caution because it does not contain "Paint it Black".
In conclusion, it is one of the most significant and precious albums of the Rolling Stones' discography (which is saying something), historically crucial, partly tarnished by time, partly immortal.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Mother's Little Helper (02:48)
What a drag it is getting old
"Kids are different today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Mother needs something today to calm her down
And though she's not really ill
There's a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day
"Things are different today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Cooking fresh food for a husband's just a drag
So she buys an instant cake and she burns her frozen steak
And goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And two help her on her way, get her through her busy day
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Men just aren't the same today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
They just don't appreciate that you get tired
They're so hard to satisfy, you can tranquilize your mind
So go running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And four help you through the night, help to minimize your plight
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Life's just much too hard today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
The pursuit of happiness just seems a bore
And if you take more of those, you will get an overdose
No more running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
They just helped you on your way, through your busy dying day
03 Lady Jane (03:11)
(M. Jagger/K. Richards)
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
04 Under My Thumb (03:43)
Under my thumb
The girl who once had me down
Under my thumb
The girl who once pushed me around
It's down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Ain't it the truth, babe?
Under my thumb
'S a squirmin' dog who's just had her day
Under my thumb
A girl who has just changed her ways
It's down to me, yes it is
The way she does just what she's told
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Say it's alright
Under my thumb
'S a Siamese cat of a girl
Under my thumb
She's the sweetest pet in the world
It's down to me
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Take it easy babe
It's down to me, oh yeah
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Yeah, it feels alright
Under my thumb
Her eyes are just kept to herself
Under my thumb, well I
I can still look at someone else
It's down to me, oh, that's what I said
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Say, it's alright
Take it easy, babe
Take it easy, babe
Feels alright
Take it, take it easy, babe
07 Flight 505 (03:29)
(M. Jagger/K. Richards)
Well, I was happy here at home
I got everything I need.
Happy bein' on my own
Just living the life I lead.
Well, suddenly it dawned on me
That this was not my life.
So I just phoned the airline girl
And said, "Get me on flight number 505,
Get me on flight number 505."
Well, I confirmed my reservation.
Then I hopped a cab.
No idea of my destination
And feeling pretty bad.
With my suitcase in my hand.
In my head, my new life.
So then I told the airline girl
"Well, get me on flight number 505,
Get me on flight number 505."
Alright.
Well, I sat right there in my seat.
Well, feeling like a king.
With the whole world right at my feet.
"Of course I'll have a drink!"
Well, suddenly I saw
That we never ever would arrive.
He put the plane down in the sea.
The end of flight number 505.
The end of flight number 505.
Alright.
Whew, they put the plane down in the sea.
The end of flight number 505.
The end of flight number 505.
08 High and Dry (03:10)
(M. Jagger/K. Richards)
High and dry well, I'm up here with no warning
High and dry well, I couldn't get a word in
High and dry oh, what a way to go
She left me standing here just high and dry
A minute I was up there standing by her side
The next I was down there, well, left out of the ride and
High and dry oh, what a way to go
She left me standing here just high and dry
Anythin' I wished for I only had to ask her (yep)
I think she found out it was money I was after
High and dry oh, what a weird letdown
She left me standing here just high and dry
Alright
It's lucky that I didn't have any love towards her
Next time I'll make sure that the girl'll be much poorer
High and dry oh, what a way to go
She left me standing here just high and dry
High and dry well, I'm up here with no warnin'
Yep
High and dry well, I couldn't get a word in
High and dry oh, what a way to go
She left me standin' here just high and dry
Well, she left me standin' here just high and dry
Well, she left me standin' here just high and dry
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Other reviews
By sonic80
A masterpiece is "Aftermath", an essential album for multiple reasons.
"Paint it Black" is dark, hypnotic, and enchanting, a high peak for the Stones.
