You Can't Always Get What You Want Quotes

Context

This line was sung by the Rolling Stones in the song "You Can't Always Get What You Want," written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, from the album Let It Bleed (1969).

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is one of the most epic songs by the Rolling Stones. It starts out with a traditional English boy choir before kicking into the usual bluesy licks from Keith Richards and rock growls from Mick Jagger. Plus there's an organ.

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is the equivalent of a "last call" song for the 1960s. The party is over, and everyone has to grow up and move into a new decade.

Basically, bye bye Woodstock, and hello job, house, family, and responsibility. Unless you're the Rolling Stones and still touring and playing this song over four decades later.

Where you've heard it

If you haven't heard this song on classic rock radio, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is the song that opens up the classic 1983 comedy The Big Chill as estranged college friends meet up after the funeral of one of their friends. Some of them definitely don't want to be near each other.

But if 80s movies aren't your thing, you might have heard this quote in the real world as advice. Yeah, you might want a purple Lamborghini or one of those Jaguars sold by attractive British men, but hey, a Prius has better gas mileage.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

This is a solid piece of advice from an excellent song.