Classic Pop Icons

The Rolling Stones’ classic rocker “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” was released on single in May 1968, backed with “Child of the Moon.” The single cover art was photographed by David Bailey. The song also apeared on the 1969 compilation album “Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol 2.”

“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” quickly became a signature song for the Rolling Stones. Central to the success of the song are the intro and main guitar riff played by Keith Richards. In an interview with Guitar World in 2005, Richards said that the first guitar was tuned to either open E or open D with a capo, and the second was tuned to Nashville tuning, ie like a 12-string guitar without the lower octave strings. Richards’ experimentation took the Stones’ sound to a new level and gave the guitar work a distinctive and timeless quality. “Get Off Of My Cloud” sounds like a great, vintage song, but “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” could have been recorded yesterday.

Although the guitar intro is one of the most memorable in rock ‘n’ roll history, unfortunately the band go straight into the main riff when playing the song live.

In his autobiography, “Life,” published last year, Richards makes the following enthusiastic observation about “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”:

Keith Richards and Mick Jagger came up with the title of the song while hanging out at Richards’ Redlands house in Kent. Jagger asked the name of Richards’ gardener and Richards replied “That’s Jack. Jumping Jack.” The pair then jammed until they had the basic framework of the song.

The Rolling Stones – “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”

Authorship

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote the words and music to “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” Bill Wyman has claimed to have played a big role in creating the main riff while improvising on organ.

Recording date/location

“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” was recorded on April 20, 1968 at Olympic Studios, London, England. These were the sessions that produced the album “Beggars Banquet,” although “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” did not appear on that album.

Musicians

The following musicians featured on “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”:

• Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, maracas
• Keith Richards – guitar, bass guitar, floor tom, backing vocals
• Brian Jones – guitar
• Bill Wyman – organ
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Ian Stewart – piano
• Jimmy Miller – backing vocals.

Chart performance

“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, backed with “Child of the Moon,” reached number three on Billboard’s Hot 100 in the US and topped the singles chart in the UK.

Covers

Aretha Franklin – “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”

Aretha Franklin recorded a cover of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” in 1986 for the soundtrack of the movie of the same name. It’s a strong cover, owing much to the original, which is not suprising as it was produced by Keith Richards and featured Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood on guitars. Richards’ future X-Pensive Winos’ bandmate, Steve Jordan, was on drums.

Thelma Houston – “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”

Thelma Houston released “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” as a single in 1969 and it also appeared on her album “Sunflower.” Thelma nails the vocal in this live performance of the song from UK television’s “Price of Fame” in 1969.

There will be a new Song of the Week on May 30.

The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” is on a number of Rolling Stones compilation albums, including the 2-CD set “Hot Rocks 1964-1971.”

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