The Rolling Stones (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

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Artist: The Rolling Stones Song/Album: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / Out Of Our Heads Writer(s): Jagger/Richards Year Released: 1965 Genre/Sub Genre: Rock

History: Released in 1965 and written by one of the strongest songwriting teams in the history of popular music, (Jagger/Richards), Satisfaction remains one of the most identifiable, infectious Rock songs of all time.

Take Note Of This: The “riff of riffs” coupled with an immense use of repetition throughout the song.

Why it’s a “Penn’s Pick”: Out of all the Rock songs ever written, ask anyone which would be near the top of their list and I guarantee you’re going to hear Satisfaction. So what is it about Satisfaction that makes it so irresistible that it still resonates 46 years after its initial release? Aside from the historical mystique of the Stones, it comes down to the strength of the song – most specifically the infectious nature of the key riff (3 notes) coupled with excessive use of repetition throughout the song. Together, coupled with the song’s sheer simplicity and raw nature, Satisfaction has become one of the most identifiable and memorable songs in the history of popular music. We will be releasing a comprehensive report on this song in the near future, but in the mean time here are some interesting stats:

TITLE OCCURRENCES: The title occurs 22 times within the song

6 Times: I can’t get no satisfaction 13 Times: I can’t get no 3 Times: No satisfaction

MAIN RIFF: Consists of just three notes (B, C# and D) and occurs throughout 67% of the total song

MAIN RIFF OCCURRENCES IN EACH SECTION OF THE SONG (Notice how the riff comes and goes throughout the song so that it doesn’t “over stay” its welcome and remains effective:

INTRO: RIFF

NO RIFF I can’t get no satisfaction,

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I can’t get no satisfaction. ‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try.

RIFF I can’t get no, I can’t get no.

RIFF When I’m drivin’ in my car and that man comes on the radio and he’s tellin’ me more and more about some useless information supposed to fire my imagination.

RIFF I can’t get no, oh no no no.

RIFF Hey hey hey, that’s what I say.

NO RIFF I can’t get no satisfaction, I can’t get no satisfaction. ‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try.

RIFF I can’t get no, I can’t get no.

RIFF When I’m watchin’ my TV and that man comes on to tell me how white my shirts can be. Well he can’t be a man ’cause he doesn’t smoke the same cigarettes as me.

RIFF I can’t get no, oh no no no.

RIFF Hey hey hey, that’s what I say.

NO RIFF I can’t get no satisfaction, I can’t get no girl with action. ‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try.

RIFF

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I can’t get no, I can’t get no.

RIFF When I’m ridin’ round the world and I’m doin’ this and I’m signing that and I’m tryin’ to make some girl who tells me baby better come back later next week ’cause you see I’m on losing streak.

RIFF I can’t get no, oh no no no.

RIFF Hey hey hey, that’s what I say.

RIFF I can’t get no, I can’t get no, I can’t get no satisfaction, no satisfaction, no satisfaction, no satisfaction. I can’t get no

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