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Rolling Stones songs: Dandelion
One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock, four o’clock, five/ Dandelions don’t care about the time…
Originally known as Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Blue (or Fairground), Dandelion draws inspiration from traditional British nursery rhymes. The lyrics mention a mix of characters—the pauper, beggar man, thief, tailor, soldier, rich man, sailor, and tinker—all of whom come from Tinker, Tailor, a classic counting rhyme dating back to the late 1600s.
In essence, this song is a nursery rhyme—but with a trippy, psychedelic twist capturing the psych vibes of the Summer of Love. The dreamy lyrics play out like a whimsical chant: “One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock, four o’clock chimes / Dandelions don’t care about the time / Dandelions don’t tell no lies / Dandelion will make you wise…“
Released as the B-side to We Love You, Dandelion had an innocent, childlike quality on the surface. But given the era and the Stones’ well-documented love for mind-expanding experiences, it’s not hard to imagine that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had something a little stronger than dandelions in mind.
When Keith Richards’ first daughter was born in 1972, he named her Angela “Dandelion” Richards, a clear nod to the song. The nickname wasn’t just a casual reference—it reflected the free-spirited, whimsical vibe of the era and perhaps even the song’s deeper meaning. Though she was officially named Angela, those close to the family often referred to her by her unique middle name, keeping the connection to the Rolling Stones’ psychedelic classic alive.
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