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Rating: I admit to having a certain envy for all those who were born in the second half of the '40s.
The reason? Well, simple: I would have been about twenty when masterpiece after masterpiece was being released in music stores. And a masterpiece is "Aftermath", an essential album for multiple reasons. First of all, because it definitively reveals the qualities of Jagger and Richards not only as performers but also as songwriters; then for the significant contribution that the brilliant Brian Jones provides by playing multiple instruments and defining the sound of each song. In the end, we are faced with a handful of sensational songs.
To be clearer, we are in 1966 and the Stones had already created some gems such as the timeless "Satisfaction", "Last Time" (covered by the Verve in Better Sweet Symphony), and "Heart Of Stone"; the Fab Four, on the other hand, are already at the peak of popularity, having just published the exceptional Revolver, and The Who have released two albums and have already shocked England with their "My Generation".
Returning to Aftermath, we must distinguish the English version with "Mother's Little Helper" and the American one with the famous "Paint it Black". If there is a flaw in this album, it's the absence of both in the same version. Indeed, these are two classics of the London group. The first is certainly captivating musically, but perhaps its strength lies in the lyrics: it's the story of a housewife who, tired of the life she leads, takes refuge in pills. The second actually needs no introduction: dark, hypnotic, and enchanting. The peculiarity is the sitar played by Jones. Among the highest peaks of the Stones.
But "Lady Jane" is also beautiful, where a sweet acoustic guitar supports controversial lyrics (is it dedicated to a woman or a drug?). Inexplicably not included in the "Forty Licks" collection. Notable also is "Under My Thumb" with its particular arrangement, the beat "Out Of Time", and the irreverent "Stupid Girl".
Innovative for the time were certainly the 11 minutes of "Going Home", a repeated blues featuring a primal Jagger. As for the rest, there are excellent rock-blues tracks like "Doncha Bother Me", "Think", "Flight 505" (although this last one has an intro a bit too similar to "Satisfaction") which continue a narrative already embarked upon in previous years.
This is just the beginning: the Rolling Stones in the years to come would churn out masterpiece after masterpiece until 1972, the year of "Exile On Main Street", earning the title of the greatest rock band in history.
Tracklist Lyrics 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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By br17is
"Paint It Black" is imbued with an unparalleled power which decades of rock have not surpassed.
Aftermath is one of the most significant and precious albums of the Rolling Stones' discography.
