Under My Thumb Lyrics
Under my thumb
The girl who once had me down
Under my thumb
The girl who once pushed me around
[Chorus]
It's down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Ain't it the truth, babe?
[Verse 2]
Under my thumb
Is a squirming dog who's just had her day
Under my thumb
A girl who has just changed her ways
[Chorus]
It's down to me, yes it is
The way she does just what she's told
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
[Verse 3]
Under my thumb
Is a Siamese cat of a girl
Under my thumb
She's the sweetest pet in the world
[Chorus]
It's down to me
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
[Instrumental Break]
Ah, take it easy babe
Yeah
[Chorus]
It's down to me, oh yeah
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Yeah, it feels alright
Under my thumb
Her eyes are just kept to herself
Under my thumb
Well I, I can still look at someone else
[Chorus]
It's down to me, oh that's what I said
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
[Outro]
Say, it's alright
Say it's all...
Say it's all...
Take it easy babe
Take it easy babe
It feels alright
Take it, take it easy, babe
About
“Under My Thumb” was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and released on the 1966 Rolling Stones album Aftermath.
The lyrics depict a sexual power struggle — more specifically, a sinister role-reversal in which the male figure in the relationship ultimately gains leverage over a “pushy”-turned-submissive female.
Marianne Faithfull — Jagger’s romantic partner and collaborator throughout the late ‘60s and early '70s — wrote in her 1994 autobiography Faithfull that this song was loosely inspired by Jagger’s dysfunctional relationship with his previous lover, Chrissie Shrimpton (sister of supermodel Jean Shrimpton).
During the infamous Altamont Concert, the Stones were playing Under My Thumb when the Hell’s Angels beat up a spectator. (It is commonly but incorrectly believed to be Sympathy for the Devil.)
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Stupid Girl
- 3.Lady Jane
- 4.Under My Thumb
- 6.Goin’ Home
- 7.Flight 505
- 8.High and Dry
- 9.Out of Time
- 10.It’s Not Easy
- 11.I Am Waiting
- 13.Think
- 14.What to Do