Brown Sugar

Kicking off with one of rock's most iconic guitar riffs, The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" is a raw, swaggering 1971 anthem. This explosive track from Sticky Fingers blends hard rock, blues rock, and boogie-woogie energy, becoming one of their most famous and controversial hits.

Released as the lead single from their classic 1971 album Sticky Fingers, "Brown Sugar" immediately grabbed listeners with its raw power and infectious groove. Keith Richards' legendary open-G riff, Mick Jagger's provocative vocals, and a driving rhythm section define this essential rock and roll track.

Powered by pure blues rock energy and featuring Bobby Keys' unforgettable saxophone solo, this 1971 hard rock classic is instantly recognizable. Despite its controversial lyrics, "Brown Sugar" remains a landmark recording, showcasing the Stones' unparalleled ability to blend boogie rock rhythms with raw rock and roll attitude.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics, penned by Mick Jagger, are highly controversial, touching upon dark themes including slavery, interracial sex, rape, and potentially drug use (heroin as "brown sugar"). It juxtaposes horrific historical imagery ("Gold coast slave ship bound for cotton fields") with sexualized language, creating a deliberately provocative and widely debated narrative.