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Rolling Stonessongs: Susie Q
THE ROLLING STONES TURN UP THE HEAT ON SUSIE Q The Stones didn’t just cover Susie Q — they set it on fire. In under two minutes, Jagger’s swagger, Keith’s ripping Les Paul licks, and Charlie’s pounding drums turned this rockabilly classic into a blast of raw 1960s energy. It’s short, loud, and totally electric — proof that even early on, The Rolling Stones knew exactly how to make a song their own.
Say that you’ll be true/ And never leave me blue/ My Susie Q…
The Rolling Stones and the Electrifying Pulse of Susie Q
When The Rolling Stones stepped into Regent Sounds Studios in late September 1964, they weren’t just recording another cover — they were charging an American rockabilly classic with their own raw energy. Susie Q, originally written by Dale Hawkins, Lewis, and Broadwater, became one of the shortest but most explosive cuts in the Stones’ early catalog. At just 1:51, the track captured the youthful ferocity that defined their 1960s sound. Keith Richards unleashed a razor-edged Les Paul solo, Charlie Watts pounded his Ludwig toms with precision, and Mick Jagger’s vocals carried a swaggering intensity.
Brian Jones’s Vox “Teardrop” guitar wove steady rhythm while Bill Wyman’s bass lines rolled beneath with fluid drive. Though Creedence Clearwater Revival would later popularize the song, the Stones’ 1964 rendition remains a snapshot of their transition — from eager blues disciples to the architects of British rock grit.
The Architect Of Swamp Rock
Before the Stones or Creedence ever touched it, Susie Q was already steeped in Southern grit. Dale Hawkins, a familiar face on the Shreveport, Louisiana club circuit in the late 1950s, fused two distinct worlds — the rockabilly flash of Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore with the swamp blues moods of Slim Harpo and Lightnin’ Slim. This blend earned him the nickname “the architect of swamp rock boogie.” In 1957, Hawkins recorded Susie Q at the KWKH radio station, featuring a then-young James Burton on lead guitar — whose biting riffs would later back Ricky Nelson and Elvis himself. Released by Checker Records, it became a triumph not only for Hawkins but also for Stan Lewis and Eleanor Broadwater, who ensured their names appeared on the songwriting credits. The track’s hypnotic riff and flirtatious lyrics soon became a rock standard.
From Shreveport To London
By the time The Rolling Stones tackled Susie Q in 1964, its roots had spread across continents. Their interpretation quickened the tempo and added a sharper edge, flirting with distortion before fuzz boxes were part of their arsenal. The result was raw, direct, and unapologetically loud — an early hint of the swagger that would soon define their identity. While Dale Hawkins’ original oozed swampy charm, the Stones’ take exploded with youthful urgency, compressing the essence of American rhythm and blues into under two minutes.
Legacy Of A Rock Classic
Susie Q didn’t just belong to one artist — it became a rite of passage. Covered by Johnny Rivers, José Feliciano, Suzi Quatro, and immortalized by Creedence Clearwater Revival, it remains one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Yet the Stones’ brief, blazing version stands apart — a fierce tribute from a band still learning to make the blues their own.
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