Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, we present The Rolling Stones’ newly released, kaleidoscopic lyric video of their 1967 smash hit, “Ruby Tuesday.” The video premiered on Tuesday, of course, to promote the group’s 2018 European tour, which kicks off tonight in London.
Composed by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, the hauntingly beautiful ballad is our pick for the most popular “ruby” song of all time — even though it’s about a lost love and not about the coveted scarlet gemstone.
The famous reprise goes like this… “Goodbye Ruby Tuesday / Who could hang a name on you? / When you change with every new day / Still I’m gonna miss you.”
The lyric video delivers a throwback vibe on a number of levels. The producers used the original mono recording and illustrated the lyrics with brightly colored floral and paisley graphics reminiscent of the 1960s hippie era. The choruses cut to kaleidoscopic patterns set against a bright ruby red backdrop, ensuring a big hit of color in contrast to the verses.
In his autobiography, Richards noted that “Ruby Tuesday” was inspired by an emotionally devastating breakup with his girlfriend, Linda Keith, who left him for a poet.
“That’s the first time I felt the deep cut,” he explained. “The thing about being a songwriter is… you can find consolation in writing about it, and pour it out… It becomes an experience, a feeling, or a conglomeration of experiences. Basically, Linda is ‘Ruby Tuesday.’”
The Rolling Stones released the original 45 of “Ruby Tuesday” in January of 1967 and the song immediately ascended to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #310 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
“Ruby Tuesday” had been intended as the B side of “Let’s Spend The Night Together,” another Stones hit, but radio deejays at the time were uncomfortable with the adult theme of the A side, and chose to play the flip. Today, the 45 is referred to as a double-A-sided record.
The Rolling Stones are credited with more than 250 million album sales. They are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and were ranked fourth on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”
Septuagenarian rockers Jagger, Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood will be performing “Ruby Tuesday” on their “No Filter” tour, which runs through July 8 and will take the band throughout Europe.
Please check out the new video of “Ruby Tuesday.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“Ruby Tuesday”
Written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Performed by The Rolling Stones.
She would never say where she came from
Yesterday don’t matter if it’s gone
While the sun is bright
Or in the darkest night
No one knows, she comes and goes
Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I’m gonna miss you
Don’t question why she needs to be so free
She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be
She just can’t be chained
To a life where nothings gained
And nothings lost, at such a cost
Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I’m gonna miss you
“There’s no time to lose,” I heard her say
Catch your dreams before they slip away
Dying all the time
Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind
Ain’t life unkind?
Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I’m gonna miss you
Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I’m gonna miss you
Credits: Screen capture via YouTube.com.