The Rolling Stones, “Wild Horses” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

On the 5^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Wild Horses” by the legendary rock band, The Rolling Stones. 

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he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 5^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Wild Horses”, performed by 🎙 The Rolling Stones,

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Theme & Lyrics ✍

“Childhood living is easy to do / The things you wanted, I bought them for you.” 🎙 The Rolling Stones have no shortage of hits.  Hits and hits and then, more hits! Among my favorite hits by this legendary blues-rock band is 🎵 “Wild Horses.” “Wild Horses” appears as the third track on one of the collective’s most famous albums, 💿 Sticky Fingers. “Wild Horses” marks one of the band’s finest ballads.

🎙 Mick Jagger sings beautifully without losing any rock credibility.  I love his tone on the verse – expressive, earthy, and authentic. The record, however, isn’t cheery despite its brilliance.  “I watched you suffer a dull, aching pain,” Jagger sings in the second verse, adding, “No sweeping exits or offstage lines / Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind.” Besides being heavy as opposed to light, “Wild Horses” has little to do with horses – you’re shocked, right?  The song appears to reference Jagger’s former flame, 🎙 Marianne Faithfull, though Jagger denies the song is about her. Jagger packs the most punch on the centerpiece, the chorus, which is simple yet ranks among my favorite choruses of all-time:

“Wild horses couldn’t drag me away

Wild, wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”

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Final Thoughts 💭

“Wild Horses” is special, period.  Not only is the songwriting great but the sound and musicianship are awesome too.  I love how the acoustic guitars sound specifically.  Furthermore, the harmonic progression, particularly during the chorus – terrific.  “Wild Horses” is one of those classics that speaks for itself.  Sure, you can analyze this fabulous throwback vibe but better just to listen and enjoy it that way.

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🎙 The Rolling Stones • 💿 Sticky Fingers • 🏷 Promotone B.V. / Universal International Music B.V. • 📅 1971
The Rolling Stones, “Wild Horses”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 5 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, cotton bro,  The Musical Hype, Promotone B.V., Universal International Music B.V.]

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