Jumpin' Jack Flash

"Jumpin' Jack Flash" is a song by The Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and released as a single on May 24, 1968, going to number 1 in the UK, number 3 in the US. It was recorded during the Beggars Banquet sessions, but not included on the album. In his 1990 autobiography, Stone Alone, bassist Bill Wyman claimed to have come up with the song's distinctive guitar riff without being credited for it. The B-side to both the US and UK single was "Child of the Moon (rmk)."

Related Topics:
The Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger - Keith Richards - May 24 - 1968 - Beggars Banquet - 1990 - Autobiography - Stone Alone - Bill Wyman - B-side

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While the song is probably as familiar as a rock classic can be, its lyrics have drawn comparatively little commentary. This might be because the dense instrumental mix and Jagger's stylized delivery render them almost unintelligible. They describe frightening scenes of desolation and violence, perhaps a rite of passage for the protagonist named in the title. The title phrase is reminiscent of a figure common in blues, "John the Conqueror," to which it might be an allusion, though it appears to be original.

Related Topics:
Rite of passage - Blues - John the Conqueror

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It is a nickname of Scottish politician Jack McConnell. There is also a movie called Jumpin' Jack Flash starring Whoopi Goldberg that involves the song.

Related Topics:
Jack McConnell - Jumpin' Jack Flash - Whoopi Goldberg

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