Off The Hook

When we listen to music, we each relate to the music in a personal way. My reaction to the opening bars of "Satisfaction" may be different than yours. Sometimes I like the bass line of a song. Sometimes I like the piano part. Sometimes it's the lyrics that I can't get out of my head.

Lyrics written my Mr. Jagger and Mr. Richards are sometime sublime (In the silk sheet of time/I will find peace of mind/Love is a bed full of blues) and sometimes stupid ( I wanna step on the gas/I wanna get there real fast/I wanna fuck your sweet ass). I admit that in some of the Stones' songs I have no idea what they're talking about. But I don't let that stop me from enjoying the songs. Sometimes I think things just sound good and I don't care what they mean.

As an ongoing feature of this page I'll be looking at some of the great (and not so great) Jagger/Richards lyrics. The choice will be random -- depending on how I feel that week. If anyone has any requests please email me and let me know.

The first song I've chosen is "Off The Hook" which was recorded at London's Regent Sound studio on September 2, 1964. It was the B-side to "Little Red Rooster".

Off the Hook
(Jagger/Richards)

Sittin' in my bedroom late last night
Got into bed and turned out the light
Decided to call my baby on the telephone
All I got was an busy tone
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook

Talkin' so long she upset my mind
Why is she talkin' such a long time?
Maybe she's sleeping, maybe she's ill
Phone's disconnected, unpaid bill
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook

Don't wanna see her, afraid of what I'd find
Tired of letting her upset me all the time
Back into bed started reading my books
Take my phone right off of the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook
It's off the hook

It's off the hook
(repeat and fade)

This song has always amused me. It is the first of a long series of songs that features Mick complaining about his troubles with the opposite sex. Mick is calling his girl but the line is busy. He goes through a list

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