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Rolling Stones songs: Ruby Tuesday
There’s no time to lose, I heard her say/ Catch your dreams before they slip away…
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni Brian Jones is often credited with contributing to Ruby Tuesday, a song that would go on to become one of The Rolling Stones’ most iconic ballads. Marianne Faithfull, in her autobiography, provides an intriguing account of its creation. She recalls Brian playing a haunting folk ballad that immediately captured Keith Richards’ imagination. According to Faithfull, Keith was drawn in by the melody, prompting him to head straight to the piano to work it out further.
Brian, visibly pleased with the attention his idea was receiving, reportedly described it as “a cross between Thomas Dowland’s Air on the Late Lord Essex and a Skip James blues.” However, Keith wasn’t particularly interested in the classical or blues roots of the piece. Instead, he focused intensely on the musical riff, approaching it with unwavering determination, much like “a dog with a bone,” Faithfull notes.
Initially, the song lacked lyrics and existed purely as a melodic collaboration between Brian and Keith. Over time, it evolved into the celebrated anthem we know today—a blend of creative synergy and inspired experimentation. It is well-documented that Mick Jagger had no role in writing Ruby Tuesday, a fact he himself has acknowledged. Reflecting on the song, Mick once remarked, “It’s just a nice melody, really. And a lovely lyric. Neither of which I wrote, but I always enjoy singing it.”
The credit for the song’s creation lies largely with Keith Richards, who worked on it at the piano in his St. John’s Wood apartment. During this time, Keith not only refined the melody but also penned the poignant lyrics, which reflect a deep sense of heartbreak. The song’s theme of lost love was inspired by Keith’s own painful experience when Linda Keith, his then-girlfriend, left him for a self-proclaimed poet.
This beautiful ballad, the Rolling Stones’ fourth song to top the US charts, is believed to be about a groupie. Some speculate it was inspired by Linda Keith, Keith Richards’ then-girlfriend. In the book According to the Rolling Stones, Richards sheds light on its origins. “It was probably written about Linda Keith not being there (laughs). I don’t know, she had pissed off somewhere”, Keith said. It was very mournful, very, VERY Ruby Tuesday and it was a Tuesday.”
More from Keith: “That’s one of those things – some chick you’ve broken up with. And all you’ve got left is the piano and the guitar and a pair of panties. And it’s goodbye you know. And so it just comes out of that. And after that you just build on it. It’s one of those songs that are easiest to write because you’re really right there and you really sort of mean it. And for a songwriter, hey break his heart and he’ll come up with a good song.”
Keith didn’t hold back his disdain for Linda’s new partner, Bill Chenail, describing him as “a hip little bugger at the time because he came on with the Dylanesque bit. Couldn’t play anything. Ersatz hip, as it’s called.” The emotional blow of the breakup left a lasting impact on Keith, prompting him to admit, “That’s the first time I felt the deep cut.” These personal experiences of love and loss imbue Ruby Tuesday with a sincerity and vulnerability that resonate deeply, making it one of the Stones’ most cherished ballads.
Ruby Tuesday was notably excluded from the UK version of Between The Buttons because it had already been released as a single in Britain. At the time, it was common practice in the UK to keep singles separate from albums to boost individual record sales.
Initially the song was intended to serve as the B-side to Let’s Spend The Night Together. However, the provocative title and sexual undertones of the latter caused many radio stations to shy away from playing it. Instead, they turned their attention to the more melodic and emotionally resonant Ruby Tuesday. This unexpected shift in focus helped propel the song to widespread popularity, ultimately cementing its place as one of The Rolling Stones’ most beloved hits.
As Mick Jagger told Rolling Stone magazine in 1995: “‘Ruby Tuesday is good. I think that’s a wonderful song. It’s just a nice melody, really. And a lovely lyric. Neither of which I wrote, but I always enjoy singing it.”
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