December's Children (And Everybody's)

This disc was released on December 4^th 1965. It reached the 8^th position on US billboard charts in 1965 and 4^th in 1966 and also went gold, selling more than 500 000 units. In the US the track ‘Get off of My Cloud’ topped the singles billboard and ‘As Tears Go By’ ranked 6^th.

Intense Review

The album begins with discouraging four covers: ‘She Said Yeah’, ‘Talking About You’, ‘You Better Move On’, and ‘Look What You’ve Done’. If I were feeling a little more critical that’s all the mention I’d give these songs. However, I’m not, so: ‘You Better Move On’ originally composed by Arthur Alexander has a gentle ring to it with echoing undertones reminiscent of the Beatle’s ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ (released in late ’64). As for the other three I’d describe them successively as: background party music, Motown but more rocking than Motown ever was (not that Motown doesn't have its own thing going on...but...) and a love lament with extravagant harmonica.

‘The Singer not The Song”, the first original on the compilation drags a slow melody alongside Jagger’s edgy voice. The clever title caught my eye, and although the song is unquestionably an enjoyable listen, in my eye, its name is the pinnacle of its catchiness. The next track is a cover and a crowd pleasing favorite: ‘Route 66’ which was also recorded on their debut self-titled album. Route 66 was composed by Bobby Troup and first recorded by Nat ‘King’ Cole in 1946.

Entering the heart of the album, the next five songs are all original. ‘Get off of My Cloud” is the catchy follow-up single to ‘Satisfaction’ and carries a similar rebellious theme -both are feasible predecessors to the eventual punk ideology of the 70’s. ‘Get off of My Cloud’ is not only rebellious in its lyrics but also through Jagger’s wavering vocals: sometimes muffled, sometimes yelling teamed with a solid and quick rock beat brought on by Charlie Watts their drummer. From rebellious to revolutionary: 'I'm Free' is the next track. It finds its promise in simple lyrics, and relaxing harmony between its instruments but doesn’t quite set the mood for the next tune. ‘As Tears Go By’ (If I had to put up with the screamers in this video I'd snap...) is a soft song usually evoking a feeling of melancholy wholesomeness --perhaps induced by the calming violin and sad lyrics reflecting on the joys of youth and the passing of time. The guitar in ‘Gotta Get Away’ (the album’s next track) combined with Jagger’s lamenting voice dragging “Baby” out into a long “Baaaybaeh” is really what captivates my ear. The slow stumbling vocals in ‘Blue Turns to Grey’ seem to perfectly fall into place with the rest of the instruments in this impressive love lost bewailing expression of heartache.

The last song on the album, ‘Moving On’, is a fast rock tune featuring mumbled lyrics and a harmonica blared with other instruments emulating the sound of a train.

Other chart topping hits that were popular at this time would include Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Are Made For Walking’ and The Beatles ‘Day Tripper’ and ‘We Can Work it Out’.