About the Song
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” is one of The Rolling Stones’ most iconic songs, released as a single in 1968. The track marked a bold return to the band’s bluesy rock roots after their more experimental and psychedelic phase during the Satanic Majesties era. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it became a defining moment not only for the band but for the sound of late ‘60s rock.
According to Keith Richards, the song’s inspiration came during a night at his country house. After being woken up by the sound of his gardener, Jack Dyer, walking past his window, Mick Jagger commented, “Who’s that?” and Richards replied, “Oh, that’s Jumpin’ Jack.” The phrase stuck — and soon after, the rhythm and lyrics began to take form. Richards famously created the song’s gritty, driving guitar sound by running his acoustic guitar through a cassette recorder.
Lyrically, the song has often been interpreted as a kind of rebirth or resurrection — with the narrator declaring, “I was born in a crossfire hurricane.” It carries a tone of defiance and survival, reflecting the social and personal upheavals of the late ‘60s. Jagger’s sneering vocals and the band’s raw energy gave the song an edge that resonated deeply with fans of rock and roll.
Impact and legacy:
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” topped the UK Singles Chart and hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. It has since become a staple of the Rolling Stones’ live performances, often used as an opening number to electrify crowds. Over the decades, the song has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, and Peter Frampton — a testament to its power and adaptability.
Critics often cite this track as a turning point for The Rolling Stones, signaling their move toward a harder rock sound that would define their most enduring work in the late ’60s and ’70s. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it No. 124 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Final thoughts:
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” stands as more than just a hit — it’s a cultural marker. With its aggressive riff, explosive energy, and defiant lyrics, the song captures the raw power of rock and roll. It helped re-establish The Rolling Stones as the dangerous, swaggering force they were meant to be, and even after more than five decades, it remains a thunderous anthem that still jolts audiences to life — it’s a gas, gas, gas.
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Lyrics
One, two!I was born in a crossfire hurricaneAnd I howled at the morning drivin’ rainBut it’s all right now, in fact it’s a gasBut it’s all right, I’m jumpin’ jack flashIt’s a gas, gas, gasI was raised by a toothless, bearded hagI was schooled with a strap right across my backBut it’s all right now, in fact it’s a gasBut it’s all right, I’m jumpin’ jack flashIt’s a gas, gas, gas (oh)I was drowned, I was washed up and left for deadI fell down to my feet and I saw they bledYeah, yeahI frowned at the crumbs of a crust of breadYeah, yeah, yeahI was crowned with a spike right through my headMy, my, yeahBut it’s all right now, in fact it’s a gasBut it’s all right, I’m jumpin’ jack flashIt’s a gas, gas, gasJumpin’ jack flash, it’s a gasJumpin’ jack flash, it’s a gasJumpin’ jack flash, it’s a gasJumpin’ jack flash, it’s a gasJumpin’ jack flash, it’s a gasJumpin’ jack flash, it’s a gas