Rock ‘n’ roll band The Rolling Stones released their album, “Hackney Diamonds” on Oct. 20. The band was formed in London in 1962 with members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. Over the next few decades, the band’s lineup changed drastically with remaining members including Jagger, Richards, Wyman and Ronnie Wood. The album, “Hackney Diamonds” consists of 12 songs, including collaborations with Lady Gaga, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.
The lead single on “Hackey Diamonds” is called “Angry” and was first a single released on Sept. 6. In the music video, a woman is riding in the back of a red convertible Mercedes. The music and video itself have a free and rebellious mood.
The lyrics depict a struggling relationship where one is upset with the other. The words “Don’t get angry with me” are repeated throughout the song, and the singers question why there is anger in the first place. The Rolling Stones also request to keep the memories of the relationship and not be ashamed of them.
In “Get Close,” The Rolling Stones collaborate with British singer and pianist Elton John. At first listen, it is hard to hear where John begins to sing, however, his vocals are heard joined in the chorus. The lyrics explain the yearning to get close to a romantic interest and trust.
“Depending On You” sounds like a country song, but it still has the rock ‘n’ roll style tied to it. In the lyrics, a man was once dependent and in love with a woman, but now she’s “loving to somebody new,” depicting a broken trust.
In “Bite My Head Off,” The Rolling Stones collaborate with former Beatle Paul McCartney, who plays the bass guitar in the track. “Bite My Head Off” is about an argument in a romantic relationship. When yelling is involved in a disagreement, the phrase “bite my head off” appears.
“Whole Wide World” is about betrayal and everyone turning their backs away. Although The Rolling Stones sing about the emotion, they turn it into a happy moment. The party had just begun. The best way to celebrate is to “raise a glass, get up and dance.”
“Dreamy Skies” sounds like another country song, and talks about the importance of taking a mental break. Getting away from “the maddening crowd,” The Rolling Stones say the break is “good for my soul” and “saving my skin.”
There is a reverb-sounding effect at the beginning of “Mess It Up,” but then it disappears and the music sounds louder. The song is about a trust torn apart. The woman had done many things, changing the man’s view of her from a positive to negative.
The Rolling Stones reply to the woman by repeatedly singing, “You think I’ll mess it up…all for you.” They do not want to do the same actions the woman did in the relationship.
McCartney collaborates with The Rolling Stones again in “Live by the Sword.” The lyrics have a cause-and-effect style. Lyrics like “If you live by the sword, gonna die by the sword” and “If you’re living a lie, look me straight in the eye” explain results from actions.
“Driving Me Too Hard” is about stress in a relationship. The man wonders to himself whether or not he should “stick around.” The Rolling Stones sing about stress using metaphors like “you’ve emptied my eyes” to represent crying and “twisted my sanity” to show internal conflict.
“Tell Me Straight” is once again about questioning a relationship and broken trust. The man wants the woman to say whether or not she wants the relationship to continue.
“Sweet Sounds of Heaven” was released on Sept. 28 as a single. Stevie Wonder plays the keyboard, while Lady Gaga adds vocals. The lyrics almost characterize it as a gospel song, talking about the “sweet sounds” of music.
Though they started in 1962, The Rolling Stones stayed present with their rock ‘n’ roll genre throughout the decades, showcasing that age is nothing but a number.
