It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the vibes at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the classic "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" by The Rolling Stones from their 1974 album It's Only Rock 'n Roll for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This anthem has a wild origin story, born in an impromptu jam session at Ron Wood's home studio in Southwest London in 1973. Mick Jagger laid down the initial track with David Bowie and members of the Faces, including Wood and drummer Kenney Jones, alongside bassist Willie Weeks. Jagger loved the raw energy so much that he brought it to Keith Richards, who added guitar overdubs to polish it into the iconic single we know today. Jagger noted in a 1995 Rolling Stone interview that the song’s title, a phrase often tossed around by journalists, felt like a natural fit, with its Chuck Berry-inspired sound but a unique Stones twist. Richards, in his 2010 memoir Life, called it “Mick’s song” and recounted how they “stole” it back from the Bowie session, praising its “beautifully simple” title.

The song’s promotional video is a quirky piece of Stones history, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. The band donned sailor suits and performed in a tent that gradually filled with bubbles, a setup chosen to protect their wardrobe from the foam. Poor Charlie Watts, seated at his drum kit, was nearly submerged by the end, with the crew battling to keep lights and cameras safe from electrocution. Mick Taylor, who mimed guitar in the video despite not playing on the track, was on his way out of the band, and Ron Wood, who did play on the song, was notably absent from the shoot. Jagger later performed the song with Tina Turner at Live Aid in 1985, a high-energy moment where he began disrobing before they left the stage, only to return fully clothed while Turner rocked a tearaway skirt. The song’s credits also sparked some drama—Mick Taylor claimed he deserved co-writing credits for contributions to tracks like “Till the Next Goodbye” and “Time Waits for No One” but was left off the album’s official credits, leading to tension with Jagger.

The Rolling Stones kicked off their legendary journey in London in 1962, rooted in a shared love for blues and early rock and roll. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, childhood friends from Dartford, Kent, reconnected in the mid-1950s and started jamming, with Jagger initially fronting a garage band that included Dick Taylor. Their passion for Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley shaped their early sound, playing covers before finding their own voice. Brian Jones, the band’s early leader and multi-instrumentalist, brought a bluesy edge, while Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts locked in the rhythm section. Manager Andrew Loog Oldham pushed Jagger and Richards to write original songs, leading to hits like “Tell Me (You're Coming Back)” and “As Tears Go By,” the latter originally penned for Marianne Faithfull. By the mid-1960s, the Stones had carved out a gritty, rebellious identity, contrasting with the Beatles’ cleaner image, and their Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership became the band’s creative engine, cementing their status as rock’s bad boys.

You can keep up with The Rolling Stones on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, throwback photos, and exclusive merch drops. For Zoo Freaks who live and breathe Stones lore, the fan-run It's Only Rock'n Roll Fan Club at iorr.org is a treasure trove of news, show reports, and forum chats. Another gem is Rolling Stones Data, curated by Marcelo Sonaglioni, offering daily updates on the band’s history, setlists, and rare quotes. Fans can also join the Rolling Stones Fan Club on Facebook to connect with fellow devotees, swap stories, and celebrate the band’s enduring legacy.