About the song
“Get Off of My Cloud” is a dynamic track by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in late 1965 as a follow-up to their monumental hit “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song was recorded at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California, in early September 1965 and released in the United States and the United Kingdom in the same year. It quickly soared to the top of the charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Germany, and secured high positions in several other countries, cementing its place as one of the band’s iconic hits.
The song emerged as a direct reaction to the immense popularity The Rolling Stones experienced after “Satisfaction.” Richards described it as a response to the pressures and expectations that came with their newfound fame. He reflected on the track’s creation, noting that it was a reaction to the constant demand for a follow-up and a way to assert their autonomy. Richards admitted that he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the final product, feeling that the rushed production did not live up to their previous work. Despite this, the track’s catchy riff and infectious energy captured the essence of the band’s defiant spirit.
Jagger elaborated on the song’s theme, portraying it as an anthem of youthful frustration and a commentary on societal expectations. He described it as a “stop-bugging-me, post-teenage-alienation song,” capturing the feeling of rebellion against the restrictive norms of the early ’60s. The lyrics reflect a sense of exhaustion and the desire for solitude, illustrated through vivid imagery of a quiet drive and the mundane annoyance of parking tickets.
Musically, “Get Off of My Cloud” is distinguished by its vigorous drum intro by Charlie Watts and the driving twin guitars of Brian Jones and Richards. Critic Michael Gallucci praised Watts’ performance, highlighting it as one of his best drumming performances. The song features an unconventional drum structure where Watts maintains a consistent 4/4 beat with fills, creating a steady yet captivating rhythm that drives the track forward.
“Get Off of My Cloud” remains a testament to The Rolling Stones’ ability to blend energetic rock with a defiant attitude, capturing the essence of their rebellion and resistance against the pressures of fame.
Video
Lyrics
I live on an apartment
On the ninety-ninth floor of my block
And I sit at home lookin’ out the window
Imaginin’ the world has stopped
Then in flies a guy
Who’s all dressed up just like the Union Jack
He says “I would drive around
If I had his kind of detergent pack”
I said, “Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Don’t hang around ’cause two’s a crowd
On my cloud baby”
The telephone is ringin’
I say, “Hi, it’s me, who is it there on the line?”
A voice says, “Hi, hello, how are you?
Well, I guess I’m doin’ fine”
It’s three a.m., there’s too much noise
Don’t you people ever wanna go to bed?
‘Cause you feel so good
Do you have to drive me out of my head?
I said, “Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Don’t hang around ’cause two’s a crowd
On my cloud baby”
I was sick and tired, fed up with this
And decided to take a drive downtown
It was so very quiet and peaceful
There was nobody, not a soul around
I laid myself out
I was so tired and I started to dream
In the mornin’ the parkin’ tickets were just like a flag
Stuck on my windscreen
I said, “Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Don’t hang around ’cause two’s a crowd
On my cloud”
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud
Don’t hang around, baby, two’s a crowd
On my cloud