When The Whip Comes Down by The Rolling Stones

Album: Some Girls (1978)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

A song about a gay prostitute who works the streets of New York, this is about the closest The Stones came to punk rock. Another song on the album, "Shattered," also presents the seedy side of New York City.
Written entirely by Mick Jagger, the Stones frontman said: "I don't know why I wrote it. Maybe I came out of the closet (laughs). It's about an imaginary person who comes from L.A. to New York and becomes a garbage collector."
Mick Jagger on the song's homosexual nature (1978): "There is one song that's a straight gay song - 'When the Whip Comes Down' - but I have no idea why I wrote it. It's strange - the Rolling Stones have always attracted a lot of men (laughs). That sounds funny, but they're not all gay. And, of course, I have a lot of gay friends, but I suppose everyone does in New York City, and what's that have to do with the price of eggs?... I sure hope the radio stations will play 'When the Whip Comes Down.'" >>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France for above 2
The song has an interesting title considering what Keith Richards was going through at the time. He had been busted in Canada with enough drugs to face trafficking charges, and was waiting for his sentence. This was a huge distraction while they were making this album, as Richards faced significant jail time and The Stones had to think about what to do without him. After the album was released, Richards got his sentence and was very happy to hear that he would be put on probation and ordered to play a concert for the blind.
A live version recorded in Memphis in 1978 is on the Sucking In The Seventies greatest hits compilation.

Comments: 10

Maryanne Nawojchik from Long IslandI think it is brilliant that the song was written about a gay man who became a garbage collector. Yes, the whip comes down could allude to an S and M prostitution act but it actually also refers to punishment. The protagonist in the song was punished for being gay but is happy now since he has a respectable paying job, love the Stones and their imaginative music.
Lou from Middletown, NyFloating around the net are two long versions of this - one the basic backing track, with some early vocals, and a full blown finished track from that with full backing vocals and overdubs - both which run over 10 freaking hard bashing minutes. The latter has two extra verses - one about the guys problems with dad and how mom accepts hm, and another about 'Wall St Brokers going home to their wives/while I live out my life! It is definitely worth seeking out, as The Stones have NEVER played harder for such a long time on a studio track.
Bo from San Francisco, CaWhat does the title mean? Also, the Stones denied this was about male prostitution, though they said it was about a hypothetical gay man. The lyrics certainly make it sound about prostitution.
Elaine from Oakwood, GaAlways great - always the Stones - have survived with the best of the best - better then the punk of today! I still can listen to them all day long!
Kevin from Reading , PaOne of those songs that has aged well. Good, rough rock and roll from the late 70s Stones. A no-frills, no BS kind of rock song.
Susan from Toronto, CanadaMick Jagger was heavily influenced by the Ramones' "53rd and 3rd" when writing this song, which is no surprise since the songs are so much alike lyrically, structurally and sound-wise.
Craig from Melbourne, AustraliaStones out-punk the punks.
Rob from Santa Monica, CaA remarkably effective rock song, considering it it just two chords alternated throughout.
Ace from Kansas City, MoMick joins Keith and Woody on electric guitar on this track.
Brett from New York, NyThis is an excellent nasty song that perfectly characterizes the tenor of this album. Few albums take shots at the younger generation of bands with as much authority as "Some Girls" does.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Take Me to ChurchHozier

Hozier's "Take Me to Church" drew inspiration from the atheist writer Christopher Hitchens. He called it "a bit of a losing your religion song."

Whip ItDevo

"Whip It" by Devo is about the rah-rah affirmations delivered by politicians and motivational speakers who often have ulterior motives.

What A Fool BelievesThe Doobie Brothers

Kenny Loggins co-wrote the Doobie Brothers hit "What a Fool Believes," which is about a guy who just can't accept that an affair from long ago was meaningless to her.

Love ShackThe B-52s

A pre-famous Rupaul is in the video for "Love Shack" by The B-52s. He had a solo hit with "Supermodel" a few years later.

Boom ClapCharli XCX

Before recording "Boom Clap" herself, Charli XCX offered the song to Hilary Duff, but her people turned down the tune because it "wasn't cool enough for Hilary."

Party Rock AnthemLMFAO

"Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO was only the second #1 hit on the Hot 100 with "Party" in the title. The first was Lesley Gore's "It's My Party."

Editor's Picks

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."