Did you know?
Often mistaken as a derogatory song, “Beast of Burden” by the Rolling Stones is a rare gem from the 1970s that conveys a message of gender equality. Mick Jagger, the lead vocalist, emphatically states that he doesn’t require any form of servitude from women.
To clarify, a “beast of burden” refers to an animal, such as an ox or a pack mule, that toils for the benefit of humans. Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood shed light on the song’s creation during a promotional interview for the “Some Girls” album. He mentioned that the song’s evolution in the studio was spontaneous and effortless, with each band member naturally falling into their roles. The interplay of guitars in the song is described as an ancient form of weaving, a phenomenon that continues to amaze them to this day.
It’s worth noting that the song doesn’t focus on any specific woman but rather represents a composite of many women, a common theme in Stones’ songs. An alternate live version from their 1981 US tour served as the B-side of their “Going To A Go-Go” single.
“Beast of Burden” was a collaborative effort between Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, with Jagger improvising many of the lyrics in the studio to suit the music. As a result, some of the lyrics may seem repetitive and less profound.
The song could be interpreted allegorically, with Keith Richards possibly paying homage to Mick Jagger for carrying the band during Richards’ struggles with heroin addiction. The lyrics, “All your sickness I can suck it up, throw it all at me, I can shrug it off,” allude to this support.
During the 1970s, while Keith Richards was battling drug addiction, Mick Jagger assumed leadership of the band. However, by the time of the “Some Girls” album, Richards wanted to share the responsibilities more evenly. In an interview with Mojo magazine in January 2012, Richards explained that the song conveyed his desire to share the band’s power and workload with Jagger.
Interestingly, Bette Midler released a popular cover of “Beast Of Burden” in 1983, which reached #71 on the American charts. The music video for the song features a cameo appearance by Mick Jagger.
In a curious turn of events, the Chinese Ministry of Culture prohibited The Rolling Stones from performing “Beast of Burden” during their 2003 concert in China due to the outbreak of a respiratory disease in the country. This concert was intended to be The Stones’ first performance in China.
Pearl Jam, a band known for their deep admiration for The Rolling Stones, performed “Beast Of Burden” on November 19, 1997, during their stint as The Stones’ warm-up act in Oakland. Their rendition was a heartfelt tribute to a song they cherished, especially since The Rolling Stones were not including it in their own setlist at the time.
Video
Lyrics
I’ll never be your beast of burden
My back is broad, but it’s a-hurting
All I want, for you to make love to me
I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ve walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want is for you to make love to meAm I hard enough?
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I’m not too blind to seeI’ll never be your beast of burden
So let’s go home and draw the curtains
Music on the radio
Come on, baby, make sweet love to meAm I hard enough?
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I’m not too blind to seeOh, little sister
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girls
You’re a pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Pretty, pretty, such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Come on, baby, please, please, pleaseI’ll tell you, you can put me out on the street
Put me out with no shoes on my feet
But put me out, put me out
Put me out of misery, yeah
All your sickness, I can suck it up
Throw it all at me, I can shrug it off
There’s one thing, baby, I don’t understand
You keep on telling me I ain’t your kind of manAin’t I rough enough? Ooh, honey
Ain’t I tough enough?
Ain’t I rich enough? In love enough?
Ooh, pleaseI’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ll never be your beast of burden
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ve walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want is you to make love to me, yeah
I don’t need no beast of burden
I need no fussing, I need no nursing
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be