3. “Honky Tonk Women”
NYC reference: “I laid a divorcee in New York City / I had to put up some kind of a fight”
I’m not sure there’s much we can add to what’s already been written about this song.
Yes, it’s dirty, slinky and irresistible. Yes, that riff-that’s-not-really-a-riff is one of the most substantial chunks of rock’n’roll guitar that’s ever been strummed. Yes, that cowbell intro was effortlessly cool long before cowbell was a prescription. So, just enjoy it. And while you enjoy it, consider the actual juke joint temptresses Mick sang about. Consider the honky tonk women—Jean Shephard, Kitty Wells, etc.—who were the original honky tonkers. Consider the lazy segue I’m using to introduce this short NPR piece about the women of early country music. [Warning: Annoying Real Player stream] But consider especially a line from said piece that perfectly describes the women Mick was singing about:
These were places to drink and dance—and not necessarily with your wife.
Consider that.
Blew my mind, indeed.
The End.
By Ben Miller, age 14.
