Ruby Tuesday

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some far-out vibes as The Zoo Crew spins "Ruby Tuesday" by The Rolling Stones from their 1967 album Between The Buttons. This mellow ballad, a number-one hit in the US and number three in the UK, was originally the B-side to "Let's Spend the Night Together." Radio stations shied away from the A-side's suggestive lyrics, giving "Ruby Tuesday" more airplay and a higher chart position. Keith Richards, who wrote most of the song, drew inspiration from his breakup with model Linda Keith. In his 2010 memoir Life, Richards described penning the track in his London apartment, capturing the heartache of Linda leaving him for a poet. Mick Jagger, while not involved in writing, praised the song’s melody and lyrics in a 1995 Rolling Stone interview, calling it “just a nice melody, really” that he loved to sing.

The song’s unique sound comes from its lush instrumentation, including a haunting recorder countermelody by Brian Jones and a double bass played by Bill Wyman and Keith Richards together—Wyman fingering the strings while Richards bowed them. Marianne Faithfull, Jagger’s girlfriend at the time, claimed Jones brought an early version of the melody to the band, though Richards and biographer Victor Bockris credit Richards with the core track. Recorded at Olympic Studios in November 1966, “Ruby Tuesday” reflects the band’s brief flirtation with baroque pop and psychedelia, a creative peak for their album Between The Buttons. Fans on Facebook groups like Rolling Stones Fans often debate whether the song’s free-spirited “Ruby” was a groupie or a metaphor, with some even linking it to Linda Keith’s wild lifestyle. The song’s title also inspired the Ruby Tuesday restaurant chain, though its founder, Sandy Beall, wasn’t a Stones fan—he just liked the name, suggested by a fraternity brother.

The Rolling Stones kicked off their legendary career in London in 1962, rooted in their love for American blues and R&B. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, childhood friends who reconnected in 1960, bonded over imported blues records. They joined forces with Brian Jones, a multi-instrumentalist who initially led the band, along with drummer Charlie Watts and bassist Bill Wyman. Playing covers of Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry in small clubs, they built a gritty reputation. Manager Andrew Loog Oldham polished their rebel image, pushing them to write original songs. Their 1964 debut album, The Rolling Stones, was mostly covers, but Jagger and Richards soon hit their stride with hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in 1965. Jones’s experimental flair, heard in “Ruby Tuesday,” shaped their early sound, though his struggles led to his departure in 1969 and death soon after. The band’s raw energy and songwriting made them rock icons, rivaling The Beatles.

Stay connected with The Rolling Stones through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and archival gems. Fans can dive deeper at sites like It’s Only Rock’n Roll (IORR), a hub for tour news and fan stories, or join discussions in Rolling Stones Fans and The Rolling Stones Fan Group on Facebook. These communities keep the Stones’ legacy alive, sharing everything from vinyl finds to concert memories. So, Zoo Freaks, crank up “Ruby Tuesday” and let The Zoo Crew take you back to the Stones’ psychedelic days!