The Rolling Stones

Released: October 18, 1974

Songwriter: Keith Richards Mick Jagger

Producer: Keith Richards Mick Jagger

[Chorus]
If you really want to be my friend
Let me live it up like I used to do
If you really want to understand me
There's some giving up we got to do

[Versus 1]
I know everybody wants to be your man
I don't want to tie you up, go ahead, you're free
And I never want to scar you with my brand
We could live it up, just you and me
If you really want to understand a man
Let him off the lead sometimes, set him free
If you really, really want to be my friend
Give me the look of love, not jealousy
I know you think that life is a thriller
You play the vamp, I play the killer
Now baby, what's the use of fighting?
By the last reel we'll be crying, crying, crying, yeah
If you really want to be my man
Get your nails out of my back, stop using me
You know I really, really want to be your friend
But just a little faith is all we need
I don't want no dog eat dog world for you and me
Get your nails out, stop bleeding me
You know people tell me you are a vulture
Say you're a sore in a cancer culture
Now but you got a little charm around you
I'll be there when they finally hound you
Hound you, hound you, oh yeah

[Chorus]
If you really want to be my friend
And I really want to understand you baby
If you really want to be my friend
If you really want to understand me
I really want to be your man
I want to try to give you a helping hand
Give it up, get the blues, oh yeah

[Verse 2]
I really want to be your friend
I want to push you when you're up
And pull you when you're down
If you really want you to understand me
I'll tell you something, that love
That love can't thrive on jealousy
I really want to understand you
Maybe try to understand you baby
I really want to be your man
Because understanding is something everybody needs
I really want to be your friend
And I love you, love you, yes, I do

Formed in London in 1962, The Rolling Stones led the “British Invasion” along with The Beatles and were so successful their influence can be seen in arguably every rock ‘n’ roll band that followed.

Three of the current members have been there since the band’s singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, who write the majority of the band’s catalogue and also produced some albums as The Glimmer Twins; and drummer Charlie Watts. The fourth official member is guitarist Ronnie Wood, who has been there since 1975 (the keyboardist and bassist who play in studio and live are usually not listed). The Stones have released more than 20 studio albums, and even as age caught up on them, continued to be a huge attraction on the live circuit, with big stadium tours continuing through the 1990s, 2000s and into the 2010s.

Discography

more tracks from the album

It’s Only Rock ’n Roll

From the album

It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (1974)

The Rolling Stones popular songs

If You Really Want to Be My FriendThe Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones

It’s Only Rock ’n Roll