About the song
“Beast of Burden” is a timeless masterpiece by the iconic English rock band, the Rolling Stones, featured on their 1978 album Some Girls. This soulful ballad has stood the test of time, earning its place as one of the greatest songs of all time. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it No. 435 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”, a testament to its enduring appeal.
The song’s title, “Beast of Burden”, refers to an animal that labors for the benefit of man, a theme that resonates with the song’s lyrics. Keith Richards, the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter, penned the music and lyrics, with Mick Jagger contributing the iconic vocals. In an interview, Richards revealed that the song was born out of a jam session, with Jagger filling in the verses and the band working together to craft the song’s distinctive melody.
“Beast of Burden” is a masterclass in songwriting, with Richards and Ronnie Wood trading off smooth guitar licks and Charlie Watts providing a subtle yet brilliant drumbeat. The song’s slow-burning tempo and soaring vocals make it a standout track on the Some Girls album, and its allegorical lyrics have been interpreted as a message of gratitude and appreciation. With its timeless melody and heartfelt lyrics, “Beast of Burden” remains a beloved classic in the Rolling Stones’ discography, a testament to the band’s enduring legacy and influence on rock music.
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Lyrics
I’ll never be your beast of burden
My back is broad but it’s a-hurting
All I want for you to make love to me
I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ve walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want for you to make love to me
Am I hard enough?
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I’m not too blind to see
I’ll never be your beast of burden
So let’s go home and draw the curtains
Music on the radio
Come on baby make sweet love to me
Am I hard enough?
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I’m not too blind to see
Oh, little sister
Pretty, pretty, pretty girls
Ooh, you’re a pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Pretty, pretty, such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Come on, baby, please, please, please
I’ll tell ya
You can put me out
On the street
Put me out
With no shoes on my feet
But put me out, put me out
Put me out of misery, yeah
All your sickness, I can suck it up
Throw it all at me
I can shrug it off
There’s one thing, baby
I don’t understand
You keep on telling me
I ain’t your kind of man
Ain’t I rough enough? Ooh, honey
Ain’t I tough enough?
Ain’t I rich enough? In love enough?
Ooh, please
I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ll never be your beast of burden
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ve walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want is you to make love to me
Yeah
I don’t need no beast of burden
I need no fussing
I need no nursing
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be