Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Rolling Stones’ guitarist and Rock and Roll icon Keith Richards explains the story behind the 1969 release, “You Got the Silver.”
The song’s memorable chorus goes like this: “You got my heart you got my soul / You got the silver you got the gold / You got the diamonds from the mine / Well that’s all right, it’ll buy some time.”
In his YouTube series, “Ask Keith,” Richards clarified that the lyrics were not intended to make a specific point..
“There’s very little coherence in what I do, because I don’t think that’s the point,” he said. “I always try to capture feelings rather than explain things to make a point about anything. You’re usually wrong if you try to do that. At least I am.”
Then, the 78-year-old smiled and revealed the real inspiration behind the lyrics.
“I just love singing about precious metal,” he chuckled. “I don’t mean heavy metal, I mean precious.”
Originally released in 1969 as the second track on Side 2 of the group’s classic Let It Bleed album, “You Got the Silver” languished as a rarely heard song until it was added to The Stones’ set list in 1999. This exposed a whole new generation of fans to the song and Richards was reportedly surprised by how well the tune resonated with the live audiences.
Composed by Richards with an assist from Mick Jagger, “You Got the Silver” was the first Rolling Stones tune to feature Richards as the lead vocalist. The songwriting partnership of Richards and Jagger — which dates back to the time they were teenagers in 1962 — has been one of the most successful and prolific in history.
Let It Bleed was such a landmark achievement that the album was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005. It also made Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” The Rolling Stones were formed in London 60 years ago and are still active today. With estimated record sales of 200 million, The Stones are considered one of the best-selling musical acts of all time.
Please check out the video of Richards performing “You Got the Silver.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“You Got The Silver”
Written by Keith Richards and Michael Phillip Jagger. Performed by The Rolling Stones, featuring Keith Richards (vocals) and Ronnie Wood (guitar).
Hey babe, what’s in your eyes?
I saw them flashing like airplane lights
You fill my cup, babe, that’s for sure
I must come back for a little more
You got my heart you got my soul
You got the silver you got the gold
You got the diamonds from the mine
Well that’s all right, it’ll buy some time
Tell me, honey, what will I do
When I’m hungry and thirsty too
Feeling foolish (and that’s for sure)
Just waiting here at your kitchen door?
Hey baby, what’s in your eyes?
Is that the diamonds from the mine?
What’s that laughing in your smile?
I don’t care, no, I don’t care
Oh babe, you got my soul
You got the silver you got the gold
If that’s your love, just leave me blind
I don’t care, no, that’s no big surprise
Credit: Photo by Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
