What Rolling Stones song from 1965 was too sexually suggestive for mainstream radio?

Renee Hansen

Rolling Stones Portrait Session / Nils Petter Nilsson/GettyImages

The Rolling Stones are well known for being one of the most enduring rock bands active for over six decades. In June 1965, they released a new song in the United States that was previously released in the UK but only played on pirate radio stations as the lyrics were deemed too sexually explicit. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" would become the band's first No. 1 in the US and the fourth in the UK.

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was written by singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards and told of commercialism and what some translated as sexually explicit. This song is known for its guitar riff and is considered one of the most incredible hooks ever. In 2021, Rolling Stone magazine rated the song No. 31 in the magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

It was featured on The Rolling Stones' fourth American album, Out of Our Heads, released in July 1965. This album was released in two versions with different covers and track lists. It included many songs written by American R&B artists, including Marvin Gaye, Don Covay, Sam Cooke, and Bo Diddley.

The Rolling Stones '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'

In today's climate, it is difficult to understand the controversy surrounding the song's lyrical content. Most of the lyrics directly refer to commercialism and how companies are constantly trying to shove their products down consumers' throats.

Lyrics such as "I'm trying to make some girl" and "girl reaction" was interpreted, by some, as a reference to sex. But in an interview with Time from 1966, Jagger says they missed the dirtiest line "Baby, better come back later next week 'cause you see I'm on a losing streak." This supposedly refers to the girl telling him to return later for sex because she is menstruating.

" "They didn't understand the dirtiest line." That is the one where the girl pleads: "Baby, better come back later next week 'cause you see I'm on a losing streak. "It's just life. That's what really happens to girls. Why shouldn't people write about it?""
Mick Jagger

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Renee Hansen

Renee Hansen, a contributing writer for Undead Walking, joined the Fansided family in 2019. She has written for numerous sites, including Netflix Life, Winter is Coming, Show Snob, Audio Phix, and Stairway to 11. She covers a wide range of pop culture topics, from horror, zombies, and romantic comedies to music and period dramas. Renee has also conducted interviews with many notable figures, including Lennie James, Steven Ogg, Tom Payne, Josh Hamilton, Carrie Genzel, Cooper Andrews, Dan Fogler, and Vince Neil. She has also hosted panels at various events, such as The Camp Events and Atlanta Comic Convention. When not writing, Renee enjoys watching new TV and movie releases, revisiting 80s movies, or rewatching The Walking Dead.