‘Jumpin' Jack Flash’ is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released as a non-album single in 1968. Released on 24 May 1968 in the UK, and on 1 June in the USA major the song achieved commercial success, reaching the top of the UK Singles Chart, and peaking at number three in the United States. It topped the US Cashbox chart for one week and the WLS 890 Hit Parade for four weeks.
In March 2005, Q magazine placed ‘Jumpin' Jack Flash’ at number 2 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. VH1 placed it at number 65 in its show 100 Greatest Rock Songs. It has been placed in various positions on many "best of" lists including a ranking at 144 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It is also, according to Acclaimed Music, the 77th-best-ranked song on critics' all-time lists.
Keith Richards has stated that he and Mick Jagger wrote the lyrics while staying at Richards' country house, when they were awoken one morning by the clumping footsteps of his gardener Jack Dyer walking past the window. Surprised, Jagger asked what it was, and Richards responded: "Oh, that's Jack – that's jumpin' Jack." The lyrics evolved from there.
According to the book ‘Keith Richards: The Biography’ by Victor Bockris, the line "I was born in a crossfire hurricane", was written by Richards, and refers to his being born amid the bombing and air raid sirens of Dartford, England, in 1943 during World War II.
Called "supernatural Delta blues by way of Swinging London" by Rolling Stone magazine, the song was perceived by some as the band's return to their blues roots after the baroque pop and psychedelia heard on their preceding albums Aftermath (1966) (which did feature some blues songs), Between the Buttons (1967) and especially Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967). One of the group's most popular and recognizable songs, it has been featured in films and covered by numerous performers, notably Thelma Houston, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Peter Frampton, Johnny Winter, Leon Russell and Alex Chilton. To date, it is the band's most-performed song; they have played it over 1,100 times in concert.
Songwriter – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Producer – Jimmy Miller
SONG LYRICS
[Instrumental Intro]Watch it!
[Verse 1]
I was born in a crossfire hurricane
And I howled at my ma in the drivin' rain
[Chorus]
But it's all right now
In fact, it's a gas
But it's all right
I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash
It's a gas, gas, gas
[Verse 2]
I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag
I was schooled with a strap right across my back
[Chorus]
But it's all right now
In fact, it's a gas
But it's all right
I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash
It's a gas, gas, gas
Ooh!
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Verse 3]
I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled, yeah, yeah
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread, yeah, yeah
I was crowned with a spike right through my head
My, my, yeah
[Chorus]
But it's all right now
In fact, it's a gas
But it's all right
I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash
It's a gas, gas, gas
[Outro]
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas
Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas