AOTM: The Sixties, The Rolling Stones, and Practicality

The sixties were tumultuous times. A time of war and protest. A time of fighting for individual rights while also maintaining some semblance of government protection. A time of push versus pull, give versus take, and control versus freedom. The music of the sixties emulated those dichotomies: one of peace and love yet forceful rebellion. The Rolling Stones positioned themselves as rebels in music and thus connected with people worldwide.

The political landscape of the sixties was heated on many fronts and music represented the people’s anger against the government. On one hand, there was peace and love. The theme of love and a utopian society permeated lyrics resting in the joy of the day. On the other hand, there was The Stones. The Stones, while part of the British Invasion of the mid-sixties, were not the love and peace type, at least musically. Their lyrics focused on the violence, frustration, and chaos of the time period emulating a distinct voice much to the opposition of giving peace a chance (rollingstones.com). Peace and love, while ideal, were silly to the band. The sixties were anything from ideal and the idea that a utopian society could exist seemed very impractical.

(The Rolling Stones “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” live in London, 2003. Courtesy of The Rolling Stones)

The impracticality of utopia and the harshness of the time influenced The Stones’ music. In particular, their songs “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Sympathy for the Devil”, “Street Fighting Man”, and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” expressed the period like no other. Rather than band-aiding the problem with hope of eternal sunshine, The Rolling Stones had the ability to see the problems for what they were and expressed it beautifully. In the song “Street Fighting Man” they talk about a much-needed revolution, but resolve that it has to be a game of compromise, “Hey! Think the time is right for a palace revolution. But where I live the game to play is compromise solution.” Promises of rainbows, unicorns, love, and ultimately, peace were not practical in the eyes of The Rolling Stones and they addressed the tumultuous time of the sixties with logical precision rather than mysticism.

(The Rolling Stones “Street Fighting Man” live at Madison Square Garden, 2003. Courtesy of The Rolling Stones)

The sixties were marked with protests, push versus pull, war, and government control. The music of the era either delivered a message of utopian peace and love, or one of rebellion. The Stones chose to look at the problems of the time practically and refused to adhere to a mystical, magical peace that most likely would never be achieved. Thus, their music exposed the raw frustration people felt at the violence and chaos at the time.

~Jenna Jakes, WOGB

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