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The Rolling Stones in the press: “Jagger Slams Britain”
In 1972, Mick Jagger wasn’t just shaking hips—he was shaking things up politically too. Tired of the British government’s antics, especially under the Conservative leadership, Jagger let loose in interviews, venting his frustration at the Tories and the country’s stifling system. The Rolling Stones were already seen as rebels, but now their frontman was lobbing verbal grenades at the establishment—and enjoying it.
Jagger wasn’t mincing words. He criticized the UK for making it near-impossible for people like him to live and work freely. The tax rates? Ludicrous. The government? Out of touch. In fact, he went so far as to suggest the British government was doing its best to push talent like his out of the country. And guess what? It was working. The Stones had already become tax exiles, living abroad to escape Britain’s financial chokehold.
But it wasn’t just about money. Jagger took issue with the broader political tone of the time—an old-fashioned, almost Victorian conservatism that he believed was holding the country back. He didn’t exactly suggest overthrowing the monarchy (not this time), but his tone carried the bite of someone who saw through the performative pomp.
What’s fascinating is how Jagger, known for his flamboyance and hedonism, was also surprisingly sharp when it came to politics. He didn’t throw out empty jabs—he made pointed critiques about economic policy, class divisions, and cultural hypocrisy. Leave it to Mick to turn an interview into a protest anthem.
So while the Stones were still ruling the charts, Jagger was also taking swings at the British system. Not just rock ’n’ roll rebellion—this was full-on political shade. And in true Jagger fashion, it was bold, biting, and just cheeky enough to make the establishment squirm. (Ref. The Rolling Stones Britain)
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