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Rolling Stones songs: Streets of Love
While music pumps from passing cars/ A couple watch me from a bar…
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, USA, June 6-28 2005 Guest musicians: Darryl Jones (bass), Chuck Leavell and Matt Clifford (piano and organ), Matt Clifford (strings) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
It’s possible that Mick Jagger wrote Streets of Love around the same time as Wicked Time, a track featured on the soundtrack for Charles Shyer’s 2004 film Alfie. In Streets of Love, Jagger sings with raw emotion, “I must admit you broke my heart/The awful truth, it’s really sad/I must admit I was awful bad.” These lyrics immediately reveal that the song is a heartfelt apology from a former lover who is regretful of his past behavior. The imagery of “walking the streets of love” (which are “full of tears and full of fears“) filled with sorrow and anxiety, reflects the deep remorse and emotional turmoil of the speaker as he faces the consequences of his actions.
When Mick Jagger penned these lyrics, it’s possible that he was reflecting on his tumultuous relationship with Jerry Hall, which ended in 1999 largely due to his repeated infidelities. While the exact inspiration for the song is uncertain, Streets of Love is saturated with feelings of regret, particularly in lines like, “A band just played the wedding march/And the corner store/Mends broken hearts”. These lines evoke a sense of sorrow, as they recall past joys and shattered promises. The memories that surface might even include their elaborate 1990 Hindu wedding ceremony in Bali, which Jagger later claimed was legally invalid during their divorce proceedings. The song, filled with emotional vulnerability, was eventually released as a single on August 22, 2005, serving as a testament to love, loss, and lingering remorse.
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