9. The Rolling Stones Angie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcZn2-bGXqQ The Rolling Stones entered the 70s with their direct competition of The Beatles safely out of the way. But they had a new battle on their hands and faced new rivals with the likes of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin instead. So they responded in the only way they knew how to, going back to the blues and classic song structure and unleashed Angie, from the album Goats Head Soup, their last masterpiece of a long player. Angie saw the Stones moving away from the insurrectionists that they were in the 60s to a more reflective, romantic and revisionist band, they didn't want to start a revolution anymore, they wanted to sort out their home lives. Rumour has it this song was about David Bowies wife but whatever the inspiration, this is as good a love song as there ever was about the power of goodbye. Just listen to the melancholy of these words But Angie, Angie, ain't it time we said good-bye? With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats, you can't say we're satisfied, but Angie, I still love you, baby, everywhere I look I see your eyes. To hear the mighty egos that were The Rolling Stones sing words like this can only mean one thing, the 70s were a time of unparalleled insecurity, the security of reassurance from the masses had changed to a lonelier, quieter and more introspective space.
Ed Nash
Contributor
What makes music fantastic? Star quality, amazing music, breathtaking lyrics and the ability to bring something new to the table, even if that means a new take on the classics. That's what I love to listen to and write about.
As well as writing for What Culture, I occasionally write a blog http://tedney.blogspot.co.uk and sometimes use Twitter, but sparingly @TedneyNash
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