Respectable

The song Respectable by The Rolling Stones, featured on their 1978 album Some Girls, is a high-energy track that captures the band’s response to the punk movement. In the liner notes for the 1993 compilation Jump Back: The Best of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger explained, “It’s important to be somewhat influenced by what’s going on around you and on the Some Girls album, I think we definitely became more aggressive because of the punk thing.” Originally, Jagger wrote Respectable as a slower song, but Keith Richards pushed for a faster tempo, turning it into a punk-infused rocker. This led to arguments between the two over the song’s direction, with Jagger noting, “On [‘Respectable’] I was banging out three chords incredibly loud on the electric guitar, which isn’t always a wonderful idea but was fun here. This is a punk meets Chuck Berry number.” The lyrics, biting and satirical, comment on a woman’s rise to high society, with references to Jagger’s then-wife Bianca, including her visit to the White House to meet President Ford’s son.

The recording of Respectable, which took place between October and December 1977 at Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris, showcased the band’s raw energy. Richards played the guitar solo, and the track featured a rare three-guitar lineup, with Jagger joining Richards and Ronnie Wood on electric guitar. Ronnie Wood, who had recently become a full-time member, later joked that the album took longer to record because he had to reteach Jagger how to play guitar. A memorable music video directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg accompanied the single, presenting a punk-inspired version of the Stones. A still from this video, with bassist Bill Wyman edited out, was later used as the cover for the 2005 compilation Rarities 1971–2003. Released as a single in the UK, Respectable peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart and remains a fan favorite for its gritty, rebellious vibe.

The Rolling Stones formed in London in 1962, emerging as one of the most influential bands in rock history. The original lineup included vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman, and drummer Charlie Watts. Rooted in blues and early rock and roll, the band started by playing covers of artists like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. Their early gigs at venues like the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond caught the attention of manager Andrew Loog Oldham in 1963. Oldham encouraged Jagger and Richards to write original songs, leading to the Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership that became the band’s creative core. Oldham also shaped their rebellious image, aiming to make them “a raunchy, gamy, unpredictable bunch of undesirables,” in contrast to the cleaner-cut Beatles. By 1964, the Stones had signed with Decca Records, securing favorable terms that included full artistic control and ownership of their master tapes.

The band’s early years were marked by rapid success and controversy. Their gritty sound and provocative lyrics helped define the hard rock genre, while their long hair and defiant attitude made them icons of the 1960s counterculture. Despite legal troubles, including drug-related arrests in 1967, the Stones continued to innovate, releasing landmark albums like Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed. Over the decades, the band evolved through lineup changes—Ronnie Wood replaced Mick Taylor in 1975, and Darryl Jones took over bass duties after Wyman’s departure in 1993. The death of Charlie Watts in 2021 was a significant loss, but the band continued with drummer Steve Jordan. Active for over six decades, the Stones remain a cultural force, known for their electrifying live performances and enduring hits.

Fans can stay connected with The Rolling Stones through their official website, which offers tour dates, news, and exclusive merchandise. Their social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share updates and behind-the-scenes content. For dedicated fans, the It’s Only Rock’n Roll (IORR) fan club provides news, forum discussions, and concert updates. The Rolling Stones Fan Club on Facebook is another hub for Zoo Freaks to connect, share stories, and celebrate the band’s legacy.