Little Red Rooster
Producer
Little Red Rooster Lyrics
I am the little red rooster, too lazy to crow 'fore day
I am the little red rooster, too lazy to crow 'fore day
Keep everything in the farm yard upset in every way
[Verse 2]
The dogs begin to bark and hounds begin to howl
Dogs begin to bark and hounds begin to howl
Watch out strange kin people, little red rooster is on the prowl
[Verse 3]
If you see my little red rooster, please drive him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drive him home
Ain't had no peace in the farm yard since my little red rooster's been gone
About
One of the Rolling Stones' foremost accomplishments was bringing blues music into the mass consciousness. Their rendition of Willie Dixon’s “Little Red Rooster,” released on November 13th, 1964, remains the only pure blues song to ever top the UK singles chart.
To put out such a cover was a daring move on the Stones part due to its unfamiliar, rootsy sound, and Keith Richards has famously declared that the Stones must have been wearing “brass balls” when they decided to release it. Thankfully, their risk paid off.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
In an interview with the Guardian, Keith Richards had this to say about the song:
We must have been wearing brass balls that day, when we decided to put that out as a single. I think we just thought it was our job to pay back, to give them what they’ve given us. They’ve given us the music and the friendship, and let’s stand up, be men, and give them a blues, and it went to No 1. Mr Howlin' Wolf, he didn’t mind at all. It was maybe a moment of bravado, in retrospect, but it worked. We have been blessed by the music that we listened to, and let’s see if we can actually spin it back around and make American white kids listen to Little Red Rooster. You had it all the time, pal, you know. You just didn’t listen.
- 1.Come On
- 4.Stoned
- 9.Tell Me
- 12.Congratulations
- 13.Little Red Rooster
- 14.Off the Hook
- 15.Heart of Stone
- 16.What a Shame
- 17.The Last Time
- 18.Play with Fire
- 23.I’m Free
- 25.As Tears Go By
- 26.Gotta Get Away
- 28.Sad Day
- 29.Paint It, Black
- 30.Stupid Girl
- 31.Long Long While
- 33.Lady Jane
- 37.Ruby Tuesday
- 38.We Love You
- 39.Dandelion
- 40.She’s a Rainbow
- 42.In Another Land
- 43.The Lantern
- 47.No Expectations
- 49.Honky Tonk Women
- 51.Memo from Turner
- 52.Brown Sugar
- 53.Wild Horses
- 54.I Don’t Know Why
- 56.Out of Time
