Recorded - September 5, 1965
Released - September 25, 1965 (US), October 22, 1965 (UK)
#1 for weeks of November 6 and 13, 1965.
By the final third of 1965, Mick Jagger and co were on a roll. "Satisfaction" had guaranteed them a place in rock history. In America, their Out Of Our Heads album was a great success, and the pressure was now on them to produce a followup hit. So during two days in September 1965, they worked on several new songs, many of which wound up on their fifth US album, December's Children (And Everybody's). The album is a bit of a mixed bag with many tracks either not being up to the usual standards, and some actually being about 1-2 years old! However, one track in particular stands out, "Get Off Of My Cloud".
Released as a single prior to the album's release, "Get Off Of My Cloud" may lack a defining riff like "Satisfaction" but it still succeeds in many ways. For one, the song features an instantly catchy opening with Charlie Watts alone on drums. Then we have the twin electric guitars of Keith Richards and Brian Jones playing the I-IV-V-IV "Louie Louie" chord progression. This gives the song a very garage rock feel.Mick Jagger's lead vocals are also filled with even more passion than before.
Lyrically, "Get Off Of My Cloud" continues the themes of dissatisfaction and disillusionment of "Satisfaction". Youthful angst never sounded so catchy. Speaking of catchy, that chorus will never leave your head once you've heard it, not that you'd mind. It's one of the most iconic choruses of any Rolling Stones song and it no doubt helped "Cloud" hit the top of the charts here in the states.
Towards the end of the year, The Stones began work on their highly influential and groundbreaking Aftermath album. Since one song from these sessions ended up reaching #1 in 1966, we'll continue The Stones history when we cover their next big hit...
Final Verdict - "Get Off Of My Cloud" features an instantly catchy chorus, highly relatable lyrics, and a great vocal performance by Mick Jagger. It may not be as groundbreaking as "Satisfaction" was, but nonetheless, It is a deserved #1 hit that I never tire from listening to.
Coming Up Next - "I Hear A Symphony" by The Supremes.
Until Next Time - Hey! You! Tune in for more Dr. Rock reviews -
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