Beast of Burden

"Beast of Burden" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones, featured on the 1978 album Some Girls. In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #435 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Recording on "Beast of Burden" began in October of 1977 and ended in December of that same year. Although written before entering the studio, many of the lyrics were improvised by Jagger to fit with the smooth running guitars of Richards and Wood. Note the rolling, fluid licks traded off by the two. Neither is really playing lead or rhythm; they both slip in and out, one playing high while the other is low. The song is another of the famed Some Girls songs which feature each member of the band playing their respective instruments without any outside performers; both Richards and Wood play acoustic and electric guitars, with Wood performing the solo.

[Intro] [Verse 1] I'll never be your beast of burden My back is broad, but it's a-hurting All I want, for you to make love to me I'll never be your beast of burden I've walked for miles, my feet are hurting All I want is for you to make love to me [Chorus] Am I hard enough? Am I rough enough? Am I rich enough? I'm not too blind to see [Verse 2] I'll never be your beast of burden So let's go home and draw the curtains Music on the radio Come on, baby, make sweet love to me [Chorus] Am I hard enough? Am I rough enough? Am I rich enough? I'm not too blind to see [Bridge] Oh, little sister Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girls You're a pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl Pretty, pretty, such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl Come on, baby, please, please, please [Verse 3] I'll tell you, you can put me out on the street Put me out with no shoes on my feet But put me out, put me out Put me out of misery, yeah All your sickness, I can suck it up Throw it all at me, I can shrug it off There's one thing, baby, I don't understand You keep on telling me I ain't your kind of man [Chorus] Ain't I rough enough? Ooh, honey Ain't I tough enough? Ain't I rich enough? In love enough? Ooh, please [Outro] I'll never be your beast of burden I'll never be your beast of burden Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be I'll never be your beast of burden I've walked for miles, my feet are hurting All I want is you to make love to me, yeah I don't need no beast of burden I need no fussing, I need no nursing Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be