I never knew that was what the song was about. It's one of my favorites though. It had a tricky (for me) guitar rythym that took a while to get. I had house-mates that would harmonize the verses, we were quite proud of ourselves. I haven't heard it in a while, I think I might go dig it out.

That Domination Babes Defloration writes one helluva comment....amazing what mention of the Rolling Stones can provoke.

I will do some research and see if the song is really about Angela Davis. I know better than to assume Al Barger knows what he is talking about. Remember, this is someone who claims to have read only Ayn Rand.


However, I read a lot and that leads to knowing thngs. It appears the song was recorded about the time Mick Jagger began having trouble with Marsha Hunt. They had been lovers. The union produced Jagger's oldest daughter, Karis. Hunt, who appeared in "Hair" and seemed to have a coming successful career as a singer, never quite made it. Jagger left her for Bianca. For a time, Hunt juggled single motherhood and pursuing her show biz career. Eventually, health problems for herself and the child (who was burned in a house fire) drove her back to America from her base in England. Hunt was forced to live on welfare since Jagger sometimes denied paternity and refused to pay child support. There was a lengthy child support battle made worse by Jagger's transcontinental lifestyle. By the time Karis was in her teens, the courts had ruled and Mick Jagger was made to pay up. He also began having a parental relationship with Karis.

Marsha Hunt and Karis Jagger are African-American women.

Mick Jagger's record as a liar and deadbeat Dad of a child of color definitely marred his image in the black community. I suspect that Al Barger, who does not get out much, is as clueless about this situation as he is about most things.

Mick sings probably the tenderest and most gentle tune of his career that was not for a lover or ex-lover. There was no hint of sexual desire for the sweet black angel, only a hymn of admiration and support.

That passage rings with irony. Not only is Jagger anyone who anyone familiar with his history knows has had plenty of dalliances across the color line, he is a man who refused support -- child support when it was needed most.

Diva, I'm not really disagreeing with you here. No one would set Mick up as a saint.

I have not done research about the particulars of Mick's love life and paternity issues. I'm not interested in all that, nor do I presume to have much opinion. However, I would not find it difficult to believe that Jagger might be less than forthcoming with alimony or child support.

And OF COURSE Mick is a legendary horn dog, and all in favor of the dark meat. And probably man meat, and certainly goat meat. Neither pigs, sheep, nor chickens would be safe around him. Hell, I wouldn't trust this bastard with my goldfish.

It's just that this particular song was not a sexual thing at all - which in itself is a bit unusual for the Stones.

I remember hearing that this song was about Angela Davis also. There was a big "free Angela" movement going on at the time, with posters ("pin up girl") and T-shirts. Davis had been jailed for an alleged link to a prison escape in which a judge was killed, which I think is also referenced in the song.

She was later freed and cleared of all charges, I believe. There's info on Angela Davis here: http://www.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id91/pg1/

Hello, people does this matter. As a person of color I think both of you are being uptight and ridiculous. I wouldn't write in to something like this but both of your comments were out of touch!

For one, have you people ever heard of biracial people. As a person of color, Karis Jagger looks more white than black. In fact, she looks 70% white to me. She looks more like a hispanic (puerto rican or south american of mixed heritage) than she could ever look black. If you were to sit her in a room with Full blooded african american women. They would ask her is she mixed? Because African Americans know what a biracial person looks like. Even, if they are as Black as Halle Berry we know! Karis looks 88% percent like her father. Like many girls do these days. And, the rest like her mother. She barely looks like her mother.


Secondly, does all this racial stuff matter. I think most AFrican americans are unaware of his songs about black women. I think most African american women would not find his music any more offensive than rap music of today. THey may even favor it in comparison to!!!

Third, I think most americans no matter ethnic backgrounds love the stones. Though, we are highly likely to make fun of their age and ability to keep on going rather than worry about any other trivial aspects of their music. Such as the song "Brown sugar" for heaven sake!

tbey are very politically incorrect...just take the lyric

"and them puerto rican girls are just dyiiiiin to meet cha" from miss you

Howdy Lora Lynn, thanks for dropping by. Partly some of this stuff might seem cooled by time. In the 1970 range for "Brown Sugar" one might have been taken aback by those sentiments played back to back with, say, Smokey.

On the other hands, compared to a lot of rappers, the worst sexist type sentiments you might extract from any 60s icon are laughably mild.

I read your comment, Al! I understand where your coming from.

Steve, great point about political incorrectness. (In regards to Karis looking like a mixed race Hispanic more so than African American.) I like the hook you provided!

Steve takes the very most GENTLE bit of non-PC material from the Some Girls album, rather than going straight for the infamous title song that led to his famous Jesse Jackson quote.

lol! ok.....I staying out now! Have fun guys! Be good~

Alrighty, Miss Lora, but come on back by and try to keep us guys civilized.

The crack of dawn isn't safe around Mick Jagger.

Huh, huh... you said "crack"

Mariah's nose job and plastic surgery looks a bit orgrish! Why did she feel the need to get work done again! The barbie boobs are enough. She looks like she has had a minor lift done to her face too! Mariah please stop. Don't be such a heartbreaker. Isn't there a lambchop, rainbow, butterfly, or daydream that can save her!

I found your website very informative and thorough in details regarding The Rolling Stones songs and their lyrics. I am an avid collector and have many of their bootleg recordings. I was also fortunate to go to Yale University for graduate school with Bobby Keys nephew in New Haven, CT. His collection of videos of The Stones is something to be desired.

I also, wanted to add a few thoughts on your information regarding the Stones song SWEET BLACK ANGEL which was written for, as you well know, Angela Davis.

you commented about the Stones that "They didn't care if somebody decided that they were sexist or racist, this-ist or that-ist." It's interesting for me to see your perspective and wanted to know if you think there were any musicians correcting themselves back then about their rebel attitudes.. I also followed The Doors and Jim Morrison's very impulsive stage persona which eventually got him derailed by the US Government. Morrison was also considered an outlaw singer and unapologetic about his stance regarding the Vietnam "war" and the state of affairs in this country. The Velvet Underground was as unapologetic about their experiences with drug culture or homosexuality.

I think it is pretty easy to be in a position of power and understand that you can do what ever you want without any repercussions to your career specially when you have already built that "career" by being a "bad boy" in the industry. The Rolling Stones were not obligated to do anything politically correct. Being privileged has its extreme rewards...example Guns N Roses song ONE IN A MILLION.

one can be fearless if one is in a position of power or part of a status quo.

Your comments regarding Rosa Parks and Angela Davis were similar to the Stones privileged perspective. "old Rosa Parks. Of course, as their object of admiration they picked a radical black militant who did jail time for robbing banks or some such thing." I doubt that the Rolling Stones ever did a "Some Girls" song about having sex with Jewish concentration camp prisoners-but referencing Black slaves in the song BROWN SUGAR (which is not only but also about Heroin) is okay because it doesn't't disrupt any "true" power structure in this country or offend most Jewish record executives..let's not forget what happened to Ice-T's Body Count album and song "cop kille." I should add that the The Rolling Stones have always received bad press for their racist, misogynistic lyrics but again "one can be fearless if one is in a position of power or part of a status quo.

In conclusion, it is the fantasy and positions of privilege that affords our heroes like the Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Velvet Underground Guns' N Roses such feats of assumed rebellious grandeur.

What can I say? The Rolling Stones.....you can either love them or hate them!

Personally, I could care less but in regards to their lyrics from songs like "Brown Sugar," "Sweet Black Angel," and "Some girls", there is no excuse for Jagger or/and Richards paraphrasing!! And I mean no excuse! I know people could care less what I have to say because people of all ethnicities adore the Stones! Right? Well, that doesn't make their lyrics right or in good judgment.

To begin, 'till this day the reason why I also choose not to listen to Pink Floyd is because they use certain words too freely, as well as the Stones. In one of Pink Floyd's song, derogative terms linked to African-Americans is spoken throughout the song. I understand the message, the plight of African Americans in America, that they were trying to send thru the song and they have publicly addressed this, but I still would feel uncomfortable listening to them. And as for the Stones, they continually crossed race lines with these songs over a span of decade or so. In one instance, a line, "ten little niggers", is stated in "Sweet Black Angel" that could have obviously been rephrased. I am aware of the fact that "nigger" was commonly being used in their time in reference to African Americans, but whether it is symbolic or not by them using it, it's sending the message that they could, perhaps, condone the usage of it and its meaning. I am also familiar with the term, "nigga," flowing around parts of the African American community nowadays. I do not use the word in any form and am sadden by usage of it from my brothers and sisters, but I dare not hear a caucasian person say it!! And that is just the way it is, but I will reiterate that that doesn't make it right either. As far as "Brown Sugar" is concerned, if Jagger or/and Richards wanted to address issues involving the welfare of African American women during slavery and his or both of their desire(s) for my race of women, then they could have did so in seperate songs........that is if they really were trying to send those totally opposite messages which I do not believe to be the case. And then you also have the cover of one of their albums which features a black male with "undisclosed objects" in his mouth that makes for a truly, dismaying picture! Lastly, let's not forget the infamous line from "Some Girls", "Black girls just wanna get f--ked all night long." How honest and sincere of him, especially when he replied with "I just don't have the jam for that." Or the damn intelligence, obviously.

I did not come on this blog to attack the Stones. That would be stupid because a lot of bands, groups, artists, and what not are guilty of the same heinous crimes. It's just as an eighteen year old African American women, who also happens to be a VIRGIN, I hate to see such scum associated with music. And I love Rock 'n Roll more than any other type of music so it can be hard admitting faulty characters in this genre. But when I feel disrespected, especially in regards to my race or/and gender, I can no longer sit quietly. What's even more disturbing is the belief that the Stones had a genuine love for the culture of African Americans. I wish I could say it was true but that is not how many African Americans are interpreting them. I wonder what Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and other
"supposedly" influential musicians to the Stones would say. I would also like to send a note to lora lynn. It seems as if you are in denial about racism existing in this world at all, so I hope you come to the realization that prejudice based on color is here to stay and if you haven't figured that one out by now then you will, sooner or later.
Peace, love and happiness to ALL.

Sometimes a songwriter adopts a persona while writing a song - just because you write a song about a bad relationship doesn't necessarily mean you are in one. Heck, Irving Berlin wrote White Christmas, & he was Jewish! The Stones have consistently adopted a bad boy, politically incorrect image, and though I'm not defending it, I will defend their songwriting, which has usually been of the highest quality, all poitical/religious correctness aside.

Miss Fox, thank you for reading my article, and thank you for your articulate comments.

As an 18 year old black woman not wanting to be slutty or disrespected, I can appreciate you not being thrilled with, say, "Brown Sugar." However, you really seem to be missing the point with this song. It's not about lust, but admiration and respect for -as Jagger saw her- the strong black woman Angela Davis.

Also, desire and respect are not necessarily two opposite messages, as you suggest. In fact, I'd tend to put the two together. That is, besides hormones and plumbing, I'd be drawn to a woman particularly on the grounds of thinking that she's really somebody, and not just some tramp.

You can feel however you choose to feel, but you're largely off base in criticizing the Stones on racial grounds as you do. They've never had any trait of being hateful or patronizing to black folks. They just haven't.

You can get your mad on over "Some Girls," but you're really just being entirely silly there. Note that EVERY race of chicks was bedeviling him in that song. It was a JOKE, and a fairly mild one at that. Plus, as you pointed out, the biggest joke there was really on Mick himself, confessing his inadequacy to satisfy the sisters.

Accusing the Stones of "heinous crimes" regarding black folk is simply without basis. Best I can tell, the Stones never did anything to black folks except sing their songs and give some of them jobs as musicians and such.

Though I do understand where you are coming from, Mr. Barger, and maybe I did read into the lyrics a little more than I should have, I still disagree with the line, "ten little niggers" taken from "Sweet Black Angel." The Stones went too far with that one. Ok, so they are known for their outrageous and relentless ways, but saying anything that offends another race, especially a race that played a major role in your work and life, is wrong. The word, "nigger," is wrong, whether it is in a song or coming from a racist's mouth! And I know, for a fact, that I am not the only African American who has my doubts about the Stones. After the unfortunate incident, the Altamont free concert, that occurred in 1969, several rumors were circulating that Jagger was urging the stabbing of the African American fan and that he did not want an African American at his concert. The rumors were, of course, later found to be untrue but people still had and do have their doubts.
This sounds nonsensical, considering that the Stones have professed their adoration for a lot of Black music, but not impratical. I have known caucasians whose friends consisted of mostly African Americans, but who turned out to actually have a prejudice against African Americans. And we must mention the ill-famed and proclaimed "king of rock 'n roll," Elvis. Elvis grew up around African Americans and was even said to have our blood running thru his veins(not that I would ever want to be related to him), but what happened once he rose to fame by stealing our dances and everything else(not to mention his hit, "Blue suede shoes", which was actually property of Carl Perkins')?? He told me and everyone who had, basically, made him who he was that all we could do "was shine his shoe." That was a really low blow but, needless to say, he didn't care! However, he had African American backup singers. This game of black and white is exhausting and getting pretty old fast. The Stones are not singularly to blame for their horrible choice of words, they just joined the bandwagon. It is nothing new. And to respond to Vern Halen, I give credit where credit is do(so cliche). Jagger/Richards were a tight-knit and great pair of songwriters and I never stated otherwise in my previous comment. I just wish wiser decisions had been made, on the Stones behalf, so I could enjoy their craft. But like the saying goes..."You can't always get what you want."

Peace, love, and happiness to all-

Miss Fox- For starters, I definitely have take exception to this statement: "saying anything that offends another race, especially a race that played a major role in your work and life, is wrong."

Oh no- that's no way to go through life. You can't be looking over your shoulder all day worried lest someone decides to be offended by what you say. You wouldn't be able to say anything much, would you?

Plus, I don't think the black race was offended by the song "Sweet Black Angel." You're the first person of any hue I've ever heard who chose to be offended by that. Do you mean that they can't say anything that ANY black person would decide to be offended by?

Plus, it's just entirely unreasonable for you to be calling this "heinous" or really to be offended at all. Look at the lyric of the song. What were they trying to say? You might reasonably not particularly appreciate that choice of words, but the whole point of the song was a sincere spiritual appreciation of - as Mick Jagger saw it - a black freedom fighter.

That nonsense about Jagger supposedly urging the stabbing of a black guy who dared show up at his show is, not to put too fine a point on it, dumber than shit. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever. In fact, Meredith Hunter got himself dead because he pulled out a big fat gun in the middle of this crowd and just a few steps from the Stones on stage. Here's the skinny on that situation. This rumor in particular sounds like absolute ridiculous racial paranoia, just someone looking for any possible excuse to be mad at whitey- even if they have to make it up wholecloth.

Again, it's a free country, and you have a right to decide to be offended by anything you want, but hating on Elvis Presley for supposed racial slights is absolutely 100% unwarranted. I have repeatedly heard black folk being shitty over this apocryphal comment about shining shoes, but that's just dumb. For starters, I don't accept it to be fact that he ever even said such a thing. That certainly would be contradictory to everything we know about him as a public personality.

But even if he actually made such a comment privately a time or two, so what? That certainly would not reflect his true feelings about black folk- though it possible that he said something dumb when he was high and trying to impress some ignorant crackers or some such, for all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God.

His true outlook on black folk, however, would be much better understood by studying the gospel medley from his famous 1968 NBC television special. Consider, for starters, the images at the front with the black guy doing this kind of ballet dance to "Motherless Child." He begins by crediting gospel as THE basic source of rock and roll, and then SHOWS it as being black churches that he's got in mind when he says that.

Plus, you have absolutely no complaint with him over supposedly ripping off black people's music, or anyone else's. "Hound Dog" was written by Jews, and black songwriters made good money from Elvis singing their songs- Otis Blackwell in particular.

Certainly, Carl Perkins did not feel ripped off by Elvis singing "Blue Suede Shoes." He'd had a big hit with it himself, but I'd better dollars to donuts that he made more money from Elvis singing it. Songwriters WANT other people to record their songs- that's why they write them.

Moreover, it's just racist and wrong to presume some kind of ownership of a particular piece of music, much less a whole style on the basis of race. The black race didn't write "Tracks of My Tears." Smokey Robinson did. Black folks can sing Italian operas, and Marshall Mathers can rap. It's all good.

I must say, Barger, that you have made your point. As for whether it is accurate or not, that is entirely up to the person reading it. However, I would like to make it known that you have truly and finally thrown things out of proportion!

I have never in my life heard such fatuity! With the exception of the three songs, "Sweet Black Angel," "Brown Sugar," and Some Girls," the Stones do not mention African Americans too much. So, exactly, how hard was it for the Stones not to offend African Americans?. But that is not the point I intended to make, as you conceived. Before you totally threw everything astray, my original and initial problem was not with the entire song,"Sweet Black Angel," but just the phrase, "ten little niggers," which I still stand firmly on my opinion that that statement could have be rephrased. That is all. Some people are easily offended and I am not one of them. Come to think about it, African Americans have endured so much in the past that, honestly, we can not afford to take everything seriously!

And in response to your comments on the concert and Meredith Hunter, we all know his death was wrong (whether you admit it consciously or not)! Justifiably? Now, you may have a case. For one, eventhough this in no way excuses his death, what was he doing at a Stones' concert? (no offense to the band) Secondly, I am aware of the circumstances that concluded he had a weapon on him and pointed it towards the stage, which triggered the attack of the Hell's Angel. Hunter was stabbed five times, an inexcusable number considering that there were several members of the gang closing in on him. The attacker actually jumped from out of nowhere and made that horrible decision. BUT, we're not here to discuss the injustice concerning my people. It's an old man's tale, sadly enough. Basically, I am not offended by anything the Stones have to say because I don't listen to them. I am only here to vindicate the irony in "Sweet Black Angel"( the actual topic I thought we were supposed to be discussing). And to be honest, I probably would have never heard of this song if my music course
had not had a session on the Stones( this would make sense since I don't listen to them). In other words, how can you make a tribute to someone that uses language in regards to them that marks racism and hate! And I have read that this song surrounds the events involving Angela Davis, so you are correct in stating that.

Once again, I do not believe the song, "Sweet Black Angel," to be offensive. I am baffled as to how you assumed that when I distincly stated, from the beginning, that the line, "ten little niggers," was offensive and contradicting to this
putative tribute for Angela Davis. I am not fond of irony, maybe that explains why the Stones are bewildering to me.

Regarding Elvis, my mother is a true, devout christian and would have no reason to lie about the statement made by him. I have heard many eye-witnesses who saw the same program, back in time, that my mother saw which featured Elvis, audibly
making the statement that "all a black person could do was shine his shoe." I refuse to give him any more of my time, for he really does not deserve any.

Lastly, I am in a hysterical state resulting from your claim that I have announced Blues and/or Rock 'n Roll, I presume you are referring to these two genres of music, to be owned by African Americans. The only thing we as humans own in this world are our souls, especially African Americans! And, majority of us know that. I grew up listening to Rock 'n Roll, Rock, whatever you want to call it and there was a time when very few African Americans, that I knew, enjoyed it. I have always heard that Rock 'n Roll was "white people's music." You can not imagine how hurt I was, because I am an avid fan of Blues and know that Rock 'n Roll was derived from that groundbreaking form of music! People, though fewer and of all ethnicities, are still surprised by my huge appetite for Rock 'n Roll. It doesn't bother me any more, however. The fact is I have always had to deal with unintelligible, musically of course, individuals giving ownwership of music created by my people to Caucasians. I don't like that feeling and would, therefore, not do the exact same thing in return! Nobody owns Rock 'n ROll, Blues, or whatever but it was created...by African Americans! Barger, MUSIC IS MUSIC AND IT HAS NO COLOR BUT, INSTEAD, OFTEN ERASES THOSE LINES BETWEEN RACES ONLY TO BRING US TOGETHER AS HUMANS...AS ONE! I hope you finally comprehend the message I wish to convey, that I am not on here to argue but to only point out the obvious to those with an open mind(not for the closed-minded)!


P.S. in the future, I would hope you could display the same respect I have shown you and not use profanity in a woman's prescence. Profanity only comes to mind when a person is lacking any further intelligent thing to say. Thank you.


Peace, love, and happiness to all-

People,...keep on reading... [even after three, four months...]

Fox, come on. After all the truly heinous crimes against Africans, you are stuck on the sarcastic use of the phrase, "ten little niggers?" Beyond that, you say that the use of that word is just plain wrong, yet you use it yourself? I am not African, but if I were, and could arrange for one of my ancestors to be sprung from the middle passage every time I heard the word "nigger," I think I'd happily hear it all day long.

-F.

It is funny that I should come across this, after all it has been months since my last comment. Fingal, please thoroughly review my commentary before replying with idiotic lies!! I have never claimed that "I use the word, nigger or nigga." In fact, I purposely said I didn't in the beginning........ just to clarify things from the start! And as far as your excuse that my people have experienced worse, I KNOW THAT!! That, however, STILL does not justify the saying of the word, nigger, in any shape, form, or fashion! Please try, meaning STOP talking and LISTEN, just TRY to have a little HEART and hear where I am coming from. The use of the word, nigger, is WRONG
and a misuse in general. I am aware that individuals use this word and will continue to do so, I only begin responding to this blog because I had and still have an opinion on the irony of "Sweet Black Angel." My point was and still stands that the Rolling Stones could have used another phrase in the place of "ten little niggers!" Thank you.



Now as far as the future is concerned, what can I do about it? Nothing. Life goes on. And anyways, this song is very old. Most of society would probably have no ideal. People will continue to be in the wrong, big deal! Have a good day!


peace, love, & happiness~