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With Hurricane Bill now strengthening in the Atlantic I thought I’d have a little fun with my choice of track today. Jumpin’ Jack Flash needs no introduction – it was one of the most recognizable songs played by The Rolling Stones. The Stones had this penciled into their 1968 album Beggars Banquet, but decided upon releasing this instead as a stand-alone single. When Jumpin’ Jack Flash was released as a single in 1968 it reached number 1 in the UK Charts, and number 3 in the US and has remained a favorite ever since.
I’ve read that Bill Wyman came up with the distinct sound of the guitar riff on this track, whilst improvising on the organ before a studio session with Charlie Watts and Brian Jones. The lyrics and music are credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards – the title of the song coming from a nickname given to Richard’s gardener, ‘Jumpin Jack’.
The lyrics always make me laugh – and if you take them literally you’ll see why. You have this guy who was born in a hurricane, raised by a toothless, bearded hag, and then was kicked to the curb. But, hey, it’s alright, because you’re Jumpin Jack Flash! In interviews, Jagger explains that the lyrics are “about having a hard time and getting out. Just a metaphor for getting out of all the acid things.” [reference - Rolling Stone magazine]
I was born in a cross-fire hurricane
And I howled at my ma in the driving rain,
But its all right now, in fact, its a gas!
But its all right. Im Jumpin’ Jack Flash,
Its a gas! gas! gas!
