Sir Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones sing 12 ’Buddhist’ Songs.

 

We could consider the 12 songs of the Rolling Stones among the rock anthems.

There is a regular theme with Mick of his struggles with desire for pleasure and then finds he experiences love in his heart and then the love fades.

1, 2 and 3 are my favourite songs of the Rolling Stones.

The Stones are a force of nature. Heavens, they are in their mid-70s.

We haven’t forgotten: “IT’S ONLY ROCK N’ROLL.”

1. SATISFACTION.

On dukkha (dissatisfaction)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poXvMBhjSWk

When I’m drivin’ in my car, and the man come on the radio
He’s tellin’ me more and more about some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination

I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey
That’s what I say
I can’t get no satisfaction, I can’t get no satisfaction

2. YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

On Desire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqMl5CRoFdk

No, you can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometime you find
You get what you need

3. BLINDED BY RAINBOWS
On Living in Projections

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djfSvI043dI

Blinded by Rainbows

Did you ever feel the pain
That he felt upon the cross
Did you ever feel the knife
Tearing flesh that’s oh so soft

Did you ever touch the night
Did you ever count the cost
Do you hide away the fear
Put down paradise as lost

4. GIMME SHELTER

On Taking Refuge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxPoCgk7A90

Oh, a storm is threat’ning
My very life today
If I don’t get some shelter
Oh yeah, I’m gonna fade away

War, children, it’s just a shot away
It’s just a shot away
War, children, it’s just a shot away
It’s just a shot away

5. AS TEARS GO BY

On Meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P0COo6jSlY

It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see
But not for me
I sit and watch
As tears go by

My riches can’t buy everything
I want to hear the children sing
All I hear is the sound
Of rain falling on the ground
I sit and watch
As tears go by

6. WILD HORSES

On Ethics – Lies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa8leK9ejrw

I know I dreamed you a sin and a lie
I have my freedom but I don’t have much time
Faith has been broken, tears must be cried
Let’s do some living after we die
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we’ll ride them some day

7. ANGIE

On Loss of Metta (Loving Kindness)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHlxGg0QIqE

Angie, Angie
When will those dark clouds all disappear
Angie, Angie
Where will it lead us from here
With no lovin’ in our souls
And no money in our coats
You can’t say we’re satisfied
Angie, Angie

8. I‘M FREE

On Love and Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxqA1eWKw04

I’m free to sing my song though it gets out of time
I’m free to sing my song though it gets out of time
So love me, hold me, love me, hold me
And I’m free any old time to get what I want

9. THE LAST TIME

On Impermanence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvIIM2AZgCA

Well, I told you once and I told you twice
But you never listen to my advice
You don’t try very hard to please me
With what you know it should be easy

Well, this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time, I don’t know
Oh no, oh no

10. LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER

On Craving for Sex

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JoDf6awINI

I feel so strong that I can’t disguise (oh my)
Let’s spend the night together
But I just can’t apologize (oh no)
Let’s spend the night together
Don’t hang me up and don’t let me down (don’t let me down)
We could have fun just groovin’ around, around and around

11. STEALING MY HEART

On Pleasure before Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYvAjBlZUxA

Well luck is expensive and freedom comes cheap
When love’s on the menu, I don’t drink so deep
Well I was just out there to have me some fun
But it’s easier said than done

12. RUBY TUESDAY

On Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADtnUC_ctNk

Don’t question why she needs to be so free
She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be
She just can’t be chained
To a life where nothing’s gained
Or nothing’s lost, at such a cost

PS. Stay well, Mick.

1 thought on “Sir Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones sing 12 ’Buddhist’ Songs.”

  1. Clearly Mick has Buddhist leanings and he certainly, after one divorce and the suicide of a long-time girlfriend, has seen his share of suffering. I read that he once went to the ancient capital of Laos, Luang Prabang, for meditation at which time he rented two hotel rooms — one for himself and one for his luggage. Now the question is: was he carrying too much luggage or was he trying to separate himself from the material world . . .

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