This is one of the Stones’ rock & rolliest songs ever.  The fast pace and the wailin’ sax really make it sound like Little Richard should be singing it.  Mick’s screaming his balls off, and I really, really fucking love hearing that.  It’s very old school rockabilly shit, and it’s extremely catchy and fun to sing along with—if you can understand the lyrics!

I have been playing the newest re-release of Exile on Main Street for the past few days, but mostly I’ve had “Rip This Joint” on rewind.  This is not an album I grew up listening to, though of course I knew many of the songs on it: “Tumbling Dice,” “Happy” (I fucking love when Keith sings lead!), and “Sweet Virginia” were all favorites.  Given my love for the early days of rock and roll I have been wondering how my life would have been different had…