Meaning of “Angry” by The Rolling Stones

“Angry” is the title of the first single to be released from the Rolling Stones first full-length album in almost 20 years, “Hackney Diamonds”. Their last studio album came out in 2005 in the form of “A Bigger Bang”.

It’s genuinely heartening to see The Rolling Stones continuing their musical journey, even in the face of such significant loss. Charlie Watts was an integral part of the band, and the fact that they’re dedicating their first original album since 2005 to him speaks volumes about his impact.

The introduction of Steve Jordan, someone whom Watts himself believed in, adds a unique layer of continuity. Music, in many ways, is a testament to life, legacy, and the power of moving forward. The Stones are not just keeping their music alive but also honoring the legacy of their dear member. This album will not only be a treat for fans but a meaningful tribute to Watts.

The Lyrics of “Angry”

These lyrics express a deep emotional turmoil and confusion within a strained relationship. The repeated pleas of “don’t get angry with me” and the retrospective glimpses into the issues in the relationship — lack of communication, dwindling intimacy, and frustration — paint a picture of a relationship at its breaking point.

The lyrics evoke a sense of desperation and a desire for understanding as the narrator seems to be grappling with feelings of regret and loss. They emphasize an impending separation, but there’s also a longing for reconciliation, suggested through lines like “I love you just the same” and urging to “keep the memories”.

The mention of “I’m still taking the pills” hints at personal struggles that might be affecting the narrator’s mental state and, in turn, the relationship. The chaotic imagery of a wolf at the door and the rain beating on the window pane further illustrate the intense internal and external pressures they are under.

Towards the end, there is a mention of “off to Brazil,” indicating an urge to escape, to get away from it all and perhaps start anew, even if it means doing so alone. Throughout the song, there is this fluctuation between anger and longing, love and resentment, suggesting a tumultuous relationship filled with high emotions and deep affections that have perhaps become too painful to maintain.

The line “let’s go out in a blaze” might imply a willingness to end things on a high note or with a sense of finality rather than letting it linger in a hurtful state.

At the end of the day, “Angry” vividly portrays a period of crisis, where love, anger, and regret intertwine in a painful goodbye.

“Angry, don’t be angry with me, if we go separate ways
Angry, yeah, don’t be angry with me, let’s go out in a blaze”

Who wrote “Angry”?

Mick Jagger wrote this song alongside Keith Richards and the track’s producer, watt.