After the massive success of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, the Rolling Stones felt a fair bit of pressure to get another big hit.
The title of the song is essentially, “get off my back”. It’s a kind of “leave it out” directed at record executives in particular and the world at large.
The song is a high energy, boisterous rebellion against the staid and conservative early 60s, as 60s youth culture really took off.
The song is quite noisy, with Mick Jagger’s distinctive vocals belted out strongly, in vigorous competition with both Keith Richards’ and Brian Jones’ guitars. The guitar riff in the verses is a rolling, clanging tidal wave, in contrast with the more fluid picking in the choruses. The drums keep the song pumping, with a cacophony of snares and hi-hats.
The singing in the chorus is particularly anthemic, with the call and response “Hey (Hey) You (You) Get Of Off My Cloud!” ripe for live performances.
The song was released as a single in 1965. In the U.S. it was number one of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 2 weeks, and it was top of the U.K. singles chart for 3 weeks!
Rockin’ and Rollin’!