Rough Justice (The Rolling Stones song)
“Rough Justice” | |||||
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Single by The Rolling Stones from the album A Bigger Bang |
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Released | August 22, 2005 | ||||
Format | 7", CD | ||||
Recorded | 2004-2005 | ||||
Genre | Rock | ||||
Label | Virgin | ||||
Writer(s) | Jagger/Richards | ||||
Producer | Don Was; The Glimmer Twins | ||||
The Rolling Stones singles chronology | |||||
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"Rough Justice" is the opening track to rock and roll band The Rolling Stones' 2005 album A Bigger Bang.
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Rough Justice" was a heavily collaborative effort like many of the lead singer and guitarist's latter-day compositions. On the writing, Richards said in 2005, "That came to me in my sleep. It's almost like "Satisfaction". Yeah, I almost sort of woke up and said, 'Where's my guitar?' Sometimes you do dream a riff, you know? I had to get up, and it's really hard to get me up. Once I go down, I go down, you know? But, I mean, it's only a song that could get me up and start running around the room, 'Where's my guitar, where did I put my guitar, before I forget it?' I don't often remember dreams, only when they're musical."
A straight ahead rocker, "Rough Justice" tells the tale of a rough love affair between the singer and the subject;
“ | One time you were my baby chicken, Now you've grown into a fox; Once upon a time I was your little rooster, But am I just one of your cocks | ” |
“ | It's rough justice, oh yeah, We never thought it risky; It's rough justice, But you know I'll never break your heart; You're feeling loose and lusty, So if you really want me, Yeah, it's rough justice; And you know I'll never break your heart | ” |
Recording began at La Fourchette, Posé sur Cisse, France in June 2005. With Jagger on lead vocals and backing electric rhythm guitar, Richards performs electric rhythm (including the riff). Ron Wood performs the song's distinct electric slide guitar, including the song's opening intro and solo. Darryl Jones performs bass while Charlie Watts performs drums. Chuck Leavell performs the song's piano.
"Rough Justice" was released as a double A-side with "Streets of Love" on August 22, 2005. It charted at #15 on the UK Singles Chart.In the United States, the song peaked at number twenty-five on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The song has been performed heavily by the Stones on their A Bigger Bang Tour and is featured on their latest concert DVD release, The Biggest Bang. It was also one of the three songs played by the Stones during the halftime show for Super Bowl XL.