Song Information
Title: Beast of Burden
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Album: Some Girls
Songwriters: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Released: August 28, 1978 (U.S. single)
Genre: Rock / Blues Rock
Label: Rolling Stones Records
Producer: The Glimmer Twins (Jagger/Richards)
“Beast of Burden” is the eighth track on Some Girls, one of the most critically acclaimed albums by The Rolling Stones. Though it peaked at No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, it has remained one of their most enduring tracks and a fan favorite at live shows. The song is notable for its loose, bluesy groove and the heartfelt interplay between Mick Jagger’s lead vocals and Keith Richards’ backing harmonies.
Song Meaning
“Beast of Burden” isn’t a typical rock anthem—it’s a soulful, conversational song between lovers. The narrator pleads with his partner, explaining that he shouldn’t be treated as a pack mule or taken for granted. With lines like “I’ll never be your beast of burden,” he sets a boundary, expressing emotional fatigue from constantly giving and rarely receiving.
Despite this, the tone isn’t aggressive—it’s tender, even self-deprecating. Jagger sings about not needing to be pampered, showing physical and emotional resilience (“I don’t need no fussin’, I don’t need no nurse”). Yet at the same time, there’s a quiet plea for love and understanding. The repeated phrase, “Ain’t I tough enough?,” is a soft challenge that implies vulnerability behind the bravado.
It’s not just a song about romantic frustration—it’s about the complexities of giving love without losing yourself in the process. It captures that fine line between devotion and self-sacrifice.
Explained: Who Was the ‘Beast of Burden’?
The phrase “beast of burden” refers to an animal used to carry heavy loads—like a mule or an ox. But in this song, it symbolizes emotional labor: constantly being leaned on without reciprocity. Some believe the song was inspired by the internal dynamics of The Rolling Stones themselves, especially Keith Richards’ relationship with the band following his drug bust and legal troubles in the late 1970s.
At the time, Richards was regaining trust within the group, and “Beast of Burden” may reflect his emotional plea—not just to a romantic partner but to his bandmates. In interviews, Richards described the song as “a salute to Mick,” acknowledging Jagger’s efforts during his absence. Others interpret it more broadly, as a meditation on masculinity and vulnerability—how men are expected to “carry the weight” emotionally but are rarely allowed to collapse.
The brilliance of the lyrics is how they mix swagger with sincerity. The narrator doesn’t just want love—he wants to be recognized as someone who’s already done the hard work. “I walk for miles, my feet are hurting,” he sings, evoking the fatigue of someone who has given everything but still isn’t seen.