Keith Richards Reveals How He and Mick Jagger Crafted Their First Hit
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger have collaborated on numerous hits for the Rolling Stones, achieving iconic status within the music industry. Their songwriting journey, however, began unexpectedly.
Origins of Songwriting: From Covers to Hits
Originally, the Rolling Stones focused on performing electric guitar-driven covers of classic blues tracks. Richards admitted, “Songwriting is something I got thrown into out of necessity.” The band initially did not plan to write original songs, and their success with covers surprised them.
Richards recalls the early days fondly, especially when their first album outsold that of The Beatles. This unexpected success prompted them to explore the vast library of great songs waiting to be discovered.
“As Tears Go By”: The First Hit
The first original song they penned was “As Tears Go By,” released in June 1964 for Marianne Faithfull. This song topped the charts, marking a turning point in their careers. Richards characterized this moment: “Suddenly, ‘Oh, we’re songwriters,’ with the most totally anti-Stones sort of song you could think of at the time.”
Andrew Loog Oldham, the Stones’ manager, played a significant role by locking Richards and Jagger in a kitchen to force them to write. “He said, ‘You ain’t comin’ out,’” Richards recalled, describing how it led them to create their first song despite the unorthodox methods.
Growth and Transformation in Songwriting
Although “As Tears Go By” was a success, it took time for Richards and Jagger to find their authentic sound. Initially, they produced pop songs that did not resonate with their blues roots. Richards expressed his discomfort: “What are we doing here playing the fucking blues and writing these horrible pop songs?”
The pivot came in 1966 with “The Last Time,” which they felt was more aligned with their musical identity. Richards stated, “That was the first one we came up with where Mick and I said, ‘This is one we can lay on the guys.’”
Collaboration with The Beatles
During the 1960s, Richards noted the unique relationship between The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, stating that both bands were nearly interchangeable in their creative influence. They collaborated, even borrowing songs like “I Wanna Be Your Man,” which helped during a time when they struggled to find original material.
The Journey Ahead
Richards’ insights into songwriting reveal a humble perspective on creativity. He expressed amazement at their success, noting, “But at the same time it’s humbling, because you realize, ‘Hey, I didn’t write this. I just happened to be around when it came by.’” He advises aspiring songwriters to keep a light-hearted approach, emphasizing that song creation is a natural process.
- Key Hits: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Paint It, Black,” “Ruby Tuesday”
- First Original Song: “As Tears Go By,” June 1964
- Significant Moment: “The Last Time,” 1966
Keith Richards’ journey from cover songs to crafting timeless hits exemplifies the evolution of the Rolling Stones into musical legends. Their willingness to embrace songwriting has left an indelible mark on the world of rock music.
