The Banned Rolling Stones Protest Anthem Mick Jagger Has Fallen Out of Love With

When a group writes and produces over 400 songs in a 60-year career, the vast catalog is bound to have at least one bad apple. For The Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger, that apple is “Street Fighting Man.”

A tune relaying Jagger’s observations about the protesters at the start of the Vietnam War. The song and its lyrics joined the extensive collection of ’60s protest pieces, but never seemingly got the point The Stones and Jagger were trying to convey. Given the unreceived intended meaning, Jagger has had a growing dislike for the song ever since its release, particularly with the lyrics and sentiments embedded.

Videos by American Songwriter

Lack of Relevancy—Mick Jagger’s Take on The Rolling Stones Track

One of the focal points centered in Jagger’s dislike is the song’s longevity. In a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone, Jagger stated, “I’m not sure if it has any resonance for the present day. I don’t really like it that much. I thought it was a very good thing at the time.”

The song is an archetypal rebellious ’60s song—including themes of political unrest, lostness, and idealistic tempers. The tune is one listeners have heard many times before. Maybe that’s why Jagger hates the lyrics so much. Maybe, it’s because now looking back at it suggests that the Stones created an empty song that just added to the political fad at the time. Or maybe it’s simply because Jagger doesn’t think the tune holds any relevancy in today’s modern world.

It’s difficult to truly surmise the “why’s” and “what’s” an artist is thinking, but given Jagger’s public detesting of the song, fans and critics might be on the right track.

Failed Political Idealism

Much like the misconstrued themes in “Street Fighting Man,” another alleged reason for Jagger’s distaste is the political response that ensued.

Hey, think the time is right for a violence revolution/

But where I live, the game to play is compromise solution

, is just one of the lines evoking a polarizing response from governments and individuals alike.

Matter of fact, numerous U.S. radio stations banned the song from going on air for fear it would raise tensions. According to Rolling Stones Data, Jagger said, “Radio stations that banned the song told me that ‘Street Fighting Man’ was subversive. ‘Of course it’s subversive,’ we said. It’s stupid to think you can start a revolution with a record. I wish you could!”

It’s the “wish you could” that Jagger’s hate seemingly hangs onto. Musicians other than The Stones always wish their music could amount to something other than entertainment. However, these creators at times have a hard time seeing this come to fruition. That being so, Jagger’s disdain for “Street Fighting Man” seems to be an incredibly complicated relationship with both personal performance and world politics. However, you have to give him credit for being ambitious.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images