Dandelion (Rolling Stones song)

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For other songs named "Dandelion", see Dandelion (disambiguation).

"Dandelion"
Dandelionstones.jpg
Single by the Rolling Stones
A-side"We Love You" (UK)
B-side"We Love You" (US)
Released
  • 18 August 1967 (1967-08-18) (UK)[1]
  • 2 September 1967 (1967-09-02) (US)[2]
Recorded13, 21 June, 2 and 19 July 1967[3]
StudioOlympic, London
Genre
Length3:48
Label
Songwriter(s)Jagger/Richards
Producer(s)Andrew Loog Oldham
The Rolling Stones UK singles chronology
"Let's Spend the Night Together" / "Ruby Tuesday"
(1967) 		"We Love You" / "Dandelion"
(1967) 		"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
(1968)
The Rolling Stones US singles chronology
"Let's Spend the Night Together" / "Ruby Tuesday"
(1967) 		"Dandelion"
(1967) 		"She's a Rainbow"
(1967)

"Dandelion" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and first released as a B-side to "We Love You" in August 1967. John Lennon and Paul McCartney sing backing vocals.[6] Billboard described the single as "an easy beat rocker with good story line."[7]

Background[]

The song has lyrical references to British counting or nursery rhymes. The first demo version of "Dandelion" was recorded in November 1966. Originally titled "Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Blue", it had different lyrics and was sung and played by Keith Richards. On the released version, Mick Jagger sings the lead vocal.[1]

The recording's arrangement makes use of baroque instrumentation; Brian Jones contributed a distinctive melodic figure played on Mellotron, while Nicky Hopkins performed on harpsichord.[8] The two parts move in contrary motion, with Jones' melody ascending against Hopkins' descending pedal point. The song is in the key of B-flat major and in the 4/4 time signature.[citation needed]

The Rolling Stones have never performed "Dandelion" live;[9] nonetheless it has been included on several compilations, including Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2), More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies), Singles Collection: The London Years, and Rolled Gold+: The Very Best of the Rolling Stones.

The original single release fades out with a brief section of the Nicky Hopkins piano intro from the A-side, "We Love You".[10] The coda is missing on most versions of "Dandelion" appearing on compilation albums, which include the song in a 3:32 edit, but it may be heard, for example, in the 3:48 version included on Singles Collection: The London Years[citation needed] and Through The Past, Darkly.

Personnel[]

According to authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon,[11] except where noted:

The Rolling Stones

Additional personnel

  • Nicky Hopkins – harpsichord
  • John Lennon – backing vocals[2]
  • Paul McCartney – backing vocals[2]

Charts[]

"Dandelion" reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard 100 singles chart.

Chart (1967) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[12] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 14

References[]

  1. ^ a b Margotin & Guesdon 2016, p. 244.
  2. ^ a b c Babiuk & Prevost 2013, p. 265.
  3. ^ Babiuk & Prevost 2013, p. 264.
  4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  5. ^ DeRogatis, Jim (2003). "The Stones' Ten Best Psychedelic Rock Songs". Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 54. ISBN 0-634-05548-8.
  6. ^ In a journal entry for 18 July 1967, poet Allen Ginsberg describes Lennon and McCartney’s participation in the recording session: The Fall of America Journals, ed. Michael Schumacher (University of Minnesota Press, 2020), 262-63.
  7. ^ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. September 2, 1967. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  8. ^ Margotin & Guesdon 2016, p. 245.
  9. ^ "ROCKS OFF SETLISTS". Rocksoff.org. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  10. ^ Everett, Walter (2009). The Foundations of Rock: From "Blue Suede Shoes" to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-19-531024-5.
  11. ^ Margotin & Guesdon 2016, pp. 244–245.
  12. ^ "Rolling Stones: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  13. ^ "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2016.

Sources[]


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