The Rolling Stones – When The Whip Comes Down Lyrics - Genius

Music IQFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign UpWhen the Whip Comes DownThe Rolling StonesProducersThe Glimmer Twins, Mick Jagger & 1 moreTrack 5 onSome Girls: Live in Texas ’78 Jun. 9, 19781 viewer12.4K views16 Contributors

When the Whip Comes Down Lyrics

Jagger’s half-whimsical, half-tragic story of a gay drifter who moves from L.A. to New York and becomes a garbage collector (or a prostitute, depending on how literal an interpretation you’d like to work… Read More [Verse 1]Yeah, Mama and Papa told me I was crazy to stayI was gay in New York, which is a fag in L.A.So I saved my money, and I took the planeWherever I go, they just treat me the same[Chorus]When the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downYeah[Verse 2]Yeah, I go to 53rd Street, and they spit in my faceBut I'm learning the ropes, yeah, I'm learning a tradeThe East River truckers are churning with trashI've got so much money, but I spend it so fast[Chorus]When the whip comes down, yeahWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the shit hits the fanI'll be sitting on the canWhen the whip comes downYou might also like[Verse 3]Yeah, some call me garbage when I'm sweeping up the streetBut I never roll and I never cheatAnd I'm filling a need, yeah, I'm plugging a holeMy Mama's so glad I ain't on the dole[Chorus]When the whip comes down, yeahWhen the whip comes downYeah, when the shit hits the fanI'll be sitting on the canWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes down[Guitar Solo][Chorus]When the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downYeah, go ahead, sugar[Guitar Solo]Yeah, baby[Chorus]When the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downYeah I'll be running this townI'll tell youWhen the shit hits the fan, babyI'll be sitting on the canWhen the whip comes downYeahOooh!Shh![Outro]Why baby, why, why baby?I'll tell youI'll be running this townCheck it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it outYeah, when the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downYeah, when the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downWhen the whip comes downEmbedCancel

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AboutSong Bio2 contributors

Jagger’s half-whimsical, half-tragic story of a gay drifter who moves from L.A. to New York and becomes a garbage collector (or a prostitute, depending on how literal an interpretation you’d like to work with). Like many songs on Some Girls, “When The Whip Comes Down” is coloured by New York imagery of the unglamorous variety.

A concert staple during the 1978 U.S. Tour, it was also regularly played during the 1981-82 tours and sporadically played ever since.

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Ask a questionWho produced “When the Whip Comes Down” by The Rolling Stones?When did The Rolling Stones release “When the Whip Comes Down”?Who wrote “When the Whip Comes Down” by The Rolling Stones?Some Girls: Live in Texas ’78 (2011)The Rolling Stones

1. 1. Let It Rock (Live 1978 Texas)
2. 2. All Down the Line
3. 3. Honky Tonk Women
4. 4. Star Star
5. 5. When the Whip Comes Down
6. 6. Beast of Burden
7. 8. Just My Imagination (Live 1978)
8. 9. Shattered (Live 1978)
9. 10. Miss You
10. 11. Far Away Eyes (Live 1978)
11. 12. Love in Vain (Live 1978)
12. 13. Tumbling Dice
13. 14. Happy (Live 1978)
14. 15. Sweet Little Sixteen
15. 16. Brown Sugar
16. 17. Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Some Girls (1978)The Rolling StonesRock (2021)The Rolling StonesExpand CreditsProducersThe Glimmer Twins, Mick Jagger & Keith RichardsWritersMick Jagger & Keith RichardsMixing EngineerChris KimseyEngineerChris KimseyLead VocalsMick JaggerElectric GuitarKeith Richards, Ron Wood & Mick JaggerBass GuitarBill WymanPedal Steel GuitarRon WoodBackground VocalsMick Jagger, Keith Richards & Ron WoodDrumsCharlie WattsMastering EngineerTed JensenRecorded AtPathé Marconi Studios, ParisReleased onJune 9, 1978When the Whip Comes Down CoversWhen the Whip Comes Down by Chuck Prophet (Ft. Charlie Sexton)When the Whip Comes Down Live PerformancesWhen the Whip Comes Down (Live 1981) by The Rolling Stones & When the Whip Comes Down (Live 2003) by The Rolling StonesTagsRockUKExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up