Line-up:

Drums: Charlie Watts
Bass: Bill Wyman
Electric guitars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards & Ron Wood (incl. solo)
Pedal steel guitar: Ron Wood
Lead vocal: Mick Jagger
Background vocals: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards & Ron Wood
 

Yeah, mama and papa told me I was crazy to stay
I was gay in New York, which is a fag in L.A.
So I saved my money and I took the plane
Wherever I go, they just treat me the same

When the whip comes down

Yeah

Yeah I go to 53rd Street and they spit in my face
But I'm learning the ropes, yeah, I'm learning a trade
The East River truckers is churning with trash
I've got so much money but I spend it so fast

When the shit hits the fan, I'll be sitting on the can
When the whip comes down

Yeah, some call me garbage when I'm sweeping up the street
But I never roll and I never cheat
And I'm filling a need, yeah, I'm plugging a hole
My mama's so glad I ain't on the dole

Yeah, go ahead (...)

When the whip comes down
I'll be running this town

Check it out, check it out...
 
 

TrackTalk

(T)here is one song that's a straight gay song - When the Whip Comes Down - but I have no idea why I wrote it. It's strange - the Rolling Stones have always attracted a lot of men (laughs). That sounds funny, but they're not all gay. And, of course, I have a lot of gay friends, but I suppose everyone does in New York City, and what's that have to do with the price of eggs?... I sure hope the radio stations will play When the Whip Comes Down.

I don't know why I wrote it. Maybe I came out of the closet (laughs). It's about an imaginary person who comes from L.A. to New York and becomes a garbage collector.

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