Sixty years ago this week, The Rolling Stones made rock ‘n roll history with the release of their first number one U.S. hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” While the exact release date is still debated—some say June 4th, others the 5th or 6th—what’s certain is the song’s tremendous impact on music. It marked a turning point not just for the band, but for rock and roll itself, with its gritty sound and rebellious lyrics capturing the spirit of a generation.
The story behind the song is almost as epic as the track itself. After a show in Clearwater, Florida, Keith Richards woke from a dream with a riff in his head that had a Motown feel. He grabbed his portable tape recorder, strummed a few bars, mumbled the phrase “I can’t get no satisfaction,” and promptly fell back asleep. That rough sketch was enough to spark something in Mick Jagger, who heard the tape and immediately recognized its potential. The band, already touring North America, began recording the track at Chess Records in Chicago on May 10, 1965, and wrapped it up just days later at RCA Studios in Los Angeles.
Ironically, both Keith and Mick initially doubted the song’s commercial appeal and didn’t think it should be released as a single. Fortunately, others disagreed. Just two weeks after recording, the band performed it on ABC’s prime time show Shindig, and the single hit record stores shortly after. The rest, as they say, is rock and roll history.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]