Get ready for a wild ride through rock ‘n’ roll history! Today, we’re diving into a pivotal moment for one of music’s most iconic bands, The Rolling Stones. On this day in 1974, the Stones hit the top of the charts with their album ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll’, but this record was more than just a chart-topper; it signaled a major shift for the band.
Let’s rewind a bit. In 1969, the Stones brought in a young talent, guitarist Mick Taylor, to fill the shoes of the late Brian Jones. Taylor’s five-year stint with the band saw him contribute to legendary albums like ‘Sticky Fingers’ and ‘Exile on Main Street’. However, his time with the Stones was short-lived, as creative differences with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards led to his departure.
But here’s where it gets controversial… ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll’, released on this day in 1974, became a turning point for the band. The title track, born in the basement of Faces guitarist Ronnie Wood, would go on to become an iconic anthem. Wood’s home was a hub for musical legends like George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and David Bowie. It was during one of these legendary jam sessions that Jagger and Bowie, inspired by British comedian Dick Emery’s catchphrase, came up with the iconic line: ‘It’s only rock n’ roll, but I like it.’
And this is the part most people miss… The song’s lyrics were a response to the public’s constant comparisons and criticisms of the band’s work. Jagger, tired of the ‘not as good as the last one’ narrative, wanted to send a playful message. The single’s cover art, featuring Jagger with a pen stabbed into him like a sword, adds a cheeky twist to the song’s message.
‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll’ became the fourth in a string of eight consecutive Stones albums to reach No. 1 in the U.S., but it fell just short of the top spot in the UK, peaking at No. 2. Despite this minor setback, the album’s impact was undeniable.
Now, let’s talk about Mick Taylor’s departure. Taylor officially left the band in January 1975, citing various reasons, including his belief that he wasn’t receiving proper credit for his contributions. He reportedly wrote or co-wrote songs like ‘Till the Next Goodbye’ and ‘Time Waits For No One’.
However, this claim was disputed by Jagger himself during a 1995 interview. Jagger downplayed Taylor’s role in ‘Time Waits For No One’, stating that Taylor ‘maybe threw in a couple of chords’.
So, what do you think? Was Taylor’s contribution to the album significant enough to warrant co-writing credit? Or was Jagger’s assessment more accurate? Let’s discuss in the comments! The Rolling Stones’ history is full of such intriguing stories, and this is just one of them.