Keith Richards, with his decades of experience in The Rolling Stones, has perfected his craft to the point where songwriting is as quick and natural as making a sandwich. Yet, Richards is always in search of that elusive element in a song—a twist, a turn, or a chord progression that will reach deep into the listener’s soul. His “bullshit detector” works overtime, ensuring that every note he writes resonates authentically.
In the early days of The Rolling Stones, the band wasn’t always sure what their formula for success was. They gave away their hits to other artists, but it wasn’t until Richards and Mick Jagger crafted the iconic riff for ‘Satisfaction’ that the Stones’ signature sound truly came together. By adding an edge to their blues roots, Richards created the foundation of hard rock guitar riffs, experimenting with open tunings on albums like Beggars Banquet.
Despite his hard rock legacy, Richards also honed his skills as a balladeer. Though Jagger’s voice was often smoother and more earnest, Richards added grit and raw emotion to his songs, with tracks like ‘Coming Down Again’ and ‘You Got The Silver.’ He wasn’t just a riff machine; he could weave heartbreak and vulnerability into his music.
When Jagger brought the lyrics for ‘Angie’—a deeply personal song named after David Bowie’s wife—Richards couldn’t help but feel the title was a letdown. He called it “boring,” complaining to 50 Licks that calling a song “Angie” felt like the most clichéd move possible. Despite Richards’ initial reservations about the title, the song turned out to be a masterpiece. The chord sequences were some of the most innovative of Richards’ career, and the emotional depth of the lyrics was perfectly complemented by Jagger’s soulful delivery.
While Richards may have been less than thrilled by the title, it was clear that the strength of ‘Angie’ came from its musical complexity and the emotional honesty in the performance. Sometimes, the simplest things—like a common name—serve a bigger purpose in delivering the full weight of the message.
