December 5, 1969 - The Rolling Stones and You Can't Always Get What You Want

My final release of the 1960s is off the album "Let It Bleed" by the Rolling Stones, released on December 5, 1969. I only have one song off the record: "You Can't Always Get What You Want", which is also my only song by the Stones. But who are the Rolling Stones? They began their career as a six-piece rock band in London, England in 1962. I am admittedly not a big fan of theirs, but I do like this one song. During the recording of "Let It Bleed" there were four main band members, although drummer Charlie Watts does not feature on the song that I have. The other main members were bassist Bill Wyman, guitarist Keith Richards and lead singer Mick Jagger. The drums are played by producer Jimmy Miller and it also has keyboards and French Horn from Al Kooper as well as a choir. As the chorus states, the song is about not always getting what you want, but getting what you need. The choir opens the song before Jagger plays some acoustic guitar and the French Horn sounds. After the first chorus Richards adds some electric guitar and after the 2nd chorus Kooper adds some cool organ. The choir returns for a short section in the middle before one final verse. The choir returns to close out the song as everyone else jams to the repeated chorus. It is certainly a cool song, even though Jagger is not my favourite singer. 

And that wraps up the year 1969! Up to 9 studio albums this year and several new artists, most of them from the U.K. I think I'm going to change from top 3 to top 5, and picking song and album of the year will not be so easy this time.

Favourite song of the year: I am torn between two really great songs this year. First there is "Dazed And Confused" off Led Zeppelin's debut album. It is a really friggin' great song and the bow on the guitar sounds so good. The other song is "21st Century Schizoid Man" off King Crimson's debut album. This song is so unique and to to this day I've never heard anything like it. I really love the jazz-y elements and I think the addition of saxophone and Mellotron to the rock mix carry this song to the top. King Crimson have created a masterpiece.

Top 5 Albums of the Year:

1. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II
2. King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King
3. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin
4. The Beatles - Abbey Road
5. Pink Floyd - Ummagumma

Led Zeppelin II has so many fantastic songs on it, I believe it is the most complete and best full record of the year. And with their debut coming in at no. 3 1969 was the year of Led Zeppelin. All the albums in the top 5 are great and this was definitely my favourite year for music so far. This awesomeness is sure to carry into next year and I'm very excited to hear some of the best music ever made next decade. Off to the 70s!

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