In a radio interview circa 1981, Keith Richards mentioned that he composed this song with his Dalmatian dog (a female) in mind. Although many assumed it was inspired by Anita Pallenberg, the mother of his two children, their tumultuous relationship ended after a tragic incident involving a 17-year-old boy who fatally injured himself on their bed.
For those seeking confirmation of the Dalmatian anecdote, the book “Old Gods Almost Dead: The 40-Year Odyssey of the Rolling Stones” references a Keith Richards interview where he indeed asserted that the song was about his “incessantly flatulent Dalmatian.” However, lines like “Tell me those lies, let me think they’re true” and “So how come I’m still in love with you?” raise doubts about this assertion. The song stirred considerable controversy, particularly concerning Anita Pallenberg’s sentiments, so Keith may have been attempting to preserve his image at that time.
Anita Pallenberg’s story encompasses much more than the tragic incident involving the 17-year-old. She was already an actress and model before her association with Keith Richards and was even part of Andy Warhol’s Factory in New York, a milieu ripe for scandalous behavior. Furthermore, she allegedly dated Brian Jones, the Stones’ guitarist, before Richards, and according to Richards’ biography “Life,” she had a fling with Mick Jagger, the Stones’ frontman. Nevertheless, the consensus suggests that she played a significant role as a partner of the Rolling Stones, akin to a more benevolent Yoko Ono (another ex-Warhol associate). Given the myriad of contradictory claims in multiple books and the back-and-forth accusations and denials, the truth about Pallenberg’s relationship with Richards and the band may remain elusive.
Regarding the estate groundskeeper, Scott Cantrell, who allegedly had an affair with Pallenberg, even as recent as 2010, there is no definitive information to settle the matter. His death in 1980 was officially ruled as suicide, yet Richards still occasionally revisits the old rumor of Russian Roulette. This story is rife with unkind words exchanged on both sides.
Normally, Mick Jagger is the primary lyricist for The Rolling Stones, but Richards penned all the lyrics for this particular song. Keith confessed that he nearly removed the song from the album out of concern that its originality might be in question.
During the recording of “Emotional Rescue,” Keith Richards and Mick Jagger frequently clashed. Some interpreted this song as Richards taking a jab at Jagger. Reflecting on this in a 2019 interview with Mojo, Richards chuckled at the memory.
“It was a song about love, a love that was discarded,” he stated. “I never really thought about it in terms of how it might be interpreted – ‘Oh, that’s obviously him writing about him!’ I was simply crafting another film noir love song… I know that when I was singing ‘All About You,’ I certainly wasn’t thinking about Mick. But given the dynamics within the band at the time, such feelings can be transposed. And once it was pointed out to me, I thought, ‘Yeah! Maybe I did mean that!’ Our unconscious minds are beyond our control.”
Did You Know?
“All About You” is the closing track of The Rolling Stones’ album “Emotional Rescue,” which was met with critical acclaim upon its release.
Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones, delivers a high-energy performance in this song, showcasing his signature charisma and vocal prowess.
The song’s lyrics touch on themes of love and devotion, making it a heartfelt addition to The Rolling Stones’ impressive discography.
Now, let’s groove to “All About You” by The Rolling Stones:
[Watch the official music video on YouTube]
Video
Lyrics
Well if you call this a life
Why must I spend mine with you?
If the show must go on
Let it go on without youSo sick and tired hanging around with jerks like you
Who’ll tell me those lies
And let me think they’re true, yeah?
What am I to do
You want it, I got it tooThough the laughs may be cheap
That’s just ’cause the joke’s about you
I’m so sick and tired hanging around with dogs like you
You’re the first to get blamed, always the last bitch to get paidOoh, tell me those lies
And let me think they’re true, yeah
I heard one or two
And they weren’t about me, they weren’t about her
They were all about youI may miss you
But missing me just isn’t you
I’m so sick and tired hanging around with dogsWho’ll tell me those lies
Let me think they’re true
I heard one or two, and they weren’t about me, they weren’t about her
They were all about you
All about youI’m so sick and tired
What should I do
You want it you want it you want it
You get it you get it you get it
So how come I’m still in love with you?