Released: June 9, 1978

Songwriter: Keith Richards Mick Jagger

Producer: Keith Richards Mick Jagger

[Verse 1]
Yeah, Mama and Papa told me I was crazy to stay
I was gay in New York, which is a fag in L.A.
So I saved my money, and I took the plane
Wherever I go, they just treat me the same

[Chorus]
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
Yeah

[Verse 2]
Yeah, I go to 53rd Street, and they spit in my face
But I'm learning the ropes, yeah, I'm learning a trade
The East River truckers are churning with trash
I've got so much money, but I spend it so fast

[Chorus]
When the whip comes down, yeah
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down

When the shit hits the fan
I'll be sitting on the can
When the whip comes down

[Verse 3]
Yeah, some call me garbage when I'm sweeping up the street
But I never roll and I never cheat
And I'm filling a need, yeah, I'm plugging a hole
My Mama's so glad I ain't on the dole

[Chorus]
When the whip comes down, yeah
When the whip comes down

Yeah, when the shit hits the fan
I'll be sitting on the can
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down

[Guitar Solo]

When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
Yeah, go ahead, sugar

[Guitar Solo]

Yeah, baby

When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
Yeah I'll be running this town

I'll tell you
When the shit hits the fan, baby
I'll be sitting on the can
When the whip comes down

Yeah
Oooh!
Shh!

[Outro]
Why baby, why, why baby?
I'll tell you
I'll be running this town
Check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out

Yeah, when the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
Yeah, when the whip comes down
When the whip comes down
When the whip comes down

The Rolling Stones

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