Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
Rolling Stones songs: Short and Curlies
THE STONES AT THEIR SASSIEST Before it landed on the It’s Only Rock ’n Roll album, Short and Curlies had already seen plenty of action. Cooked up during the Goats Head Soup era, it’s the Stones cutting loose—boogie-woogie grooves, cheeky lyrics, and pure swagger. Ian Stewart pounds the keys with flair while Mick Taylor’s slide guitar struts right beside him. It’s not grand or polished—just the Stones having a damn good time doing what they do best.
It’s too bad/ She’s got you by the balls…
Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Dynamic Sounds Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, Nov. 25-Dec. 21 1972; Rolling Stones Mobile, Stargroves, Newbury, England, Apr. 1974; Island Recording Studios, London, England, May 20-25 1974 *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
More about Short and Curlies by The Rolling Stones
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni
A Bluesy Detour into the Stones’ Playful Side
Before it ever hit vinyl, Short and Curlieshad already taken quite the ride. Born in the Goats Head Soup sessions and polished through 1974, this tune captures the Stones at their loosest and cheekiest. The track’s boogie-woogie spirit owes much to Ian Stewart, who only sat behind the piano for songs he truly liked—his rollicking intro makes that clear. Mick Taylor’s slide guitar dances with Stewart’s piano, creating a jaunty, almost Dixieland mood that feels more barroom jam than arena rock.
Meanwhile, Keith Richards lays down a tight rhythm, letting Taylor’s Telecaster snarl with distorted flair. Though it clocks in as the shortest cut on the It’s Only Rock ’n Roll album, the song radiates personality, even if it never quite hits the raw R&B voltage the Stones built their legend on. Still, it’s a charming reminder of how casual brilliance can sound downright effortless.
Lyrical Mischief and Control
If Short and Curliessounds playful, its lyrics bite a little harder. Mick Jagger spins the story of a man hopelessly dominated by a woman who has him “by the balls”—a slang phrase for total control. Jagger doesn’t bother with subtlety, then opening with the unfiltered line, “Too bad, she’s got you by the balls”. From there, he reels off her misdeeds: crashing cars, spending money, and knowing every secret that could pin her lover down. It’s a wry twist on the dynamic explored in If You Really Want to Be My Friend, but this time the voice of frustration comes not from the man himself, but from a friend who’s seen it all. Whether or not Bianca Jagger inspired the lyrics remains one of those teasing mysteries only Mick could answer.
Rhythm Section in Full Swing
Behind the playful chaos, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman anchor the groove with trademark precision. Watts’ shuffle beat feels deceptively simple, but it drives the entire rhythm like a heartbeat—steady, sly, and irresistibly danceable. Wyman matches him step for step, crafting a bassline that gives the track its easy swing. Their chemistry keeps Short and Curlies grounded even as Jagger, Taylor, and Richards throw in their swaggering flourishes.
The result is a tune that might not be monumental, but it’s pure Stones: cheeky, bluesy, and bursting with personality. Every so often, the melody even nods to Midnight Rambler, as if the band were winking back at their roots. Short and Curlies may be brief, but it’s a snapshot of the Stones doing what they do best—having fun with the blues, pushing boundaries with humor, and sounding unmistakably like themselves.
Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
