Dandelion (song)

"Dandelion" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and first released as a B-side to "We Love You" in August 1967. With lyrical references to British counting or nursery rhymes,[1] it reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard 100 singles chart.

For other songs named "Dandelion", see Dandelion (disambiguation).

"Dandelion"
Single by the Rolling Stones
A-side"We Love You" (UK)
B-side"We Love You" (US)
Released
  • 18 August 1967 (1967-08-18) (UK)[1]
  • September 1967 (US)
RecordedJune–July 1967[1]
StudioOlympic, London
Genre
Length3:48[1]
Label
Songwriter(s)Jagger/Richards
Producer(s)Andrew Loog Oldham
The Rolling Stones UK singles chronology
"Let's Spend the Night Together" / "Ruby Tuesday"
(1967)		 "Dandelion"
(1967)		 "Jumpin' Jack Flash"
(1968)
The Rolling Stones US singles chronology
"Let's Spend the Night Together" / "Ruby Tuesday"
(1967)		 "Dandelion"
(1967)		 "She's a Rainbow"
(1967)

The first demo version of “Dandelion” was recorded in November 1966. Originally titled “Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Blue”, it had different lyrics and was sung and played by Keith Richards.[1] On the released version, Mick Jagger sings the lead vocal.

The recording's arrangement makes use of baroque instrumentation; Brian Jones contributed a distinctive melodic figure played on oboe, while Nicky Hopkins performed on harpsichord. The two parts move in contrary motion, with Jones' melody ascending against Hopkins' descending pedal point. The song is in the key of B-flat major and in the 4/4 time signature .

The Rolling Stones have never performed "Dandelion" live;[4] nonetheless it has been included on several compilations, including Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2), More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies), Singles Collection: The London Years, and Rolled Gold+: The Very Best of the Rolling Stones.

The original single release fades out with a brief section of the Nicky Hopkins piano intro from the A-side, “We Love You”.[5] The coda is missing on most versions of “Dandelion” appearing on compilation albums, which include the song in a 3:32 edit, but it may be heard, for example, in the 3:48 version included on Singles Collection: The London Years and Through The Past, Darkly.

Personnel

The Rolling Stones[1]

Additional personnel

Charts
Chart (1967) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[6] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 14

References
  1. Margotin, Philippe; Guesdon, Jean-Michel (2016). The Rolling Stones All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. eBook: Hachette Books. ISBN 978-0316317733.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  3. DeRogatis, Jim (2003). "The Stones' Ten Best Psychedelic Rock Songs". Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 54. ISBN 0-634-05548-8.
  4. Rocks Off Setlists – Rolling Stones song live debuts
  5. Everett, Walter (2009). The Foundations of Rock: From "Blue Suede Shoes" to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-19-531024-5.
  6. "Rolling Stones: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  7. "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
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