Mick Jagger has opened up about the surprisingly political edge on The Rolling Stones’ forthcoming album Foreign Tongues, revealing that one of its standout tracks offers a complex meditation on the current state of America. The band’s 25th studio album, set for release on July 10, 2026, reunites them with producer Andrew Watt and features an impressive list of guest stars including Paul McCartney, Robert Smith of The Cure, Steve Winwood, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
While The Rolling Stones have never been strangers to social commentary, Foreign Tongues marks a more direct engagement with contemporary issues, particularly on the track “Ringing Hollow.” In the song, Jagger sings, “Lady Liberty don’t look so good when there’s a tear in her gown,” painting a vivid picture of a nation under strain.
Speaking to MOJO magazine, Jagger explained the inspiration behind the track: “It’s about America as an idea. The American Dream is intact for some people, and I’m sure we can find some wonderful immigrant stories that happened in the last 12 months, but we read about the decline of the American Empire.”
He continued with thoughtful nuance: “Is the Iran war America’s Suez moment? Well, it’s not the same at all, but there are a lot of questions about imperial overreach, and the lobbying system. The money spent on an election is absurd – it’s not corruption per se but unnecessary. Is it indicative of this administration, or is it something that has been happening a long time? In any case, it’s not the same place as it was.”
Jagger, who lived in New York for 19 years, drew from his deep personal connection to the country: “I’ve seen lots of America that no Americans have seen.” The frontman has long been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, previously preventing the use of Stones songs in his political campaigns.
The new album builds on the massive success of 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, which topped charts worldwide and reaffirmed the band’s enduring relevance more than six decades into their career. Keith Richards and the rest of the group continue to deliver the raw, blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll that made them legends, while Jagger’s lyrics on Foreign Tongues add layers of reflection on power, identity, and the evolving American dream.
As one of rock’s most enduring institutions, The Rolling Stones have always mirrored the times they live in. With Foreign Tongues, Mick Jagger and company appear ready to confront the complexities of modern America head-on, blending their signature swagger with sharp social observation.
