The Rolling Stones – Start Me Up
“Start Me Up” is a hard rock/arena rock song recorded by the legendary English rock band The Rolling Stones. It was released in 1981 as the lead single from their album Tattoo You.
The track features the Stones’ classic driving guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and Mick Jagger’s snarling, high-energy vocals. Lyrically, “Start Me Up” is a sexually charged anthem, with Jagger delivering suggestive lines about “you make a grown man cry” and “you got me begging you for mercy.”
The song’s infectious, uptempo groove and memorable hook made it an instant classic for the band. “Start Me Up” became one of The Rolling Stones’ biggest hits of the 1980s, reaching the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Critically, the track was widely praised for its sheer musical power and the band’s ability to still deliver hard-hitting rock after nearly two decades together. Many considered it a return to form after some of their more experimental work in the late 1970s.
“Start Me Up” has since become one of The Rolling Stones’ most iconic and frequently performed songs in their live shows. It remains a staple of classic rock radio and is beloved by generations of Stones fans.
Overall, “Start Me Up” stands as a quintessential example of the Rolling Stones’ signature sound – a high-octane, blues-tinged rocker that showcases their unparalleled musical chemistry and Mick Jagger’s captivating stage presence. It’s rightfully considered one of the band’s all-time great songs.