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click here and learn Rolling Stone Songs, note by note

When someone mentioned “The Rolling Stones”, Mick Jagger comes to mind right? And may I ask what is the first song that pops to your mind?

Yes, of course it’s I Can’t Get No Satisfaction. No doubt, this is The Stone’s signature song also no question about it that it is one of the most memorable guitar intro riff in rock and roll history.

The guitar riff that we are going to learn on this post is the intro part (which is also used in the verses and chorus).

Keith Richards, the Stone’s guitarist, is the one who came up with this classic guitar riff. Just like Paul McCartney‘s melody of “Yesterday“, the riff came from a dream.

Keith Richards woke up from a dream with that riff and picked up a cassette deck and recorded the guitar part… plus him snoring.

How to Play The Guitar Riff Intro

The whole riff is played over the E major chord. Check out the intro guitar riff below courtesy of Songsterr.com :

 

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in April 1962 by guitarist and harmonica player Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart, vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early lineup.

This three note riff is a minor third-the first three notes of the minor scale, in this case the b minor scale.

Keith Richards originally recorded this guitar riff intending it to be replaced by horns later. He was, however, outvoted by the rest of the band who liked the guitar sound.

It was recorded with a Gibson Maestro Fuzzbox guitar pedal. The sales of this particular pedal went through the roof after this song was released in 1965.


(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Words and music by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards C1965

Main Riff (continue pattern)

E-|———————————————————–|
B-|———————————————————–|
G-|———————————————————–|
D-|———————————————————–|
A-|-2–2—-2–4–5—-5–5–4–2–2————————–|
E-|———————————————————–|

E A E A
I can’t get no satisfaction I can’t get no satisfaction

E B7 E A
Cause I try__ and I try___ and I try__ and try__

(start main riff)
A E A D A E A D
I can’t get no I can’t get no

A E A D A E A D
When I’m driving in my car and the man comes on the radio

A E A D A E A D
he’s telling me more and more about some useless information

A E A D A E A D
supposed to drive my imagination I can’t get no

A E (NC) E A D A E A D
Oh no no no hey hey hey That’s what I say