Casino Boogie

Album: Exile on Main St. (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was recorded at Keith Richards' villa in the South of France while The Stones were on their "exile" to avoid taxes in England. The band would often sleep most of the day, go to the casinos in nearby Monte Carlo, then work on the album until morning.
  • Bobby Keys played the sax solo on this track. An outlandish personality that fit in well with the band, he joined The Stones in France for the recording of Exile On Main St. and became a major contributor to the album.
  • The lyrics are very difficult to understand, maybe because they're very random. In an interview with Uncut Magazine April 2010, Mick Jagger was asked about the lyric "million dollar sad." He replied: "That song was done in cut-ups. It's in the style of William Burroughs, and so-on. 'Million Dollar Sad' doesn't mean anything. We did it in LA in the studio. We just wrote phrases on bits of paper and cut them up. The Burroughs style. And then you throw them into a hat, pick them out and assemble them into verses. We did it for one number, but it worked. We probably did it 'cos we couldn't think of anything to write."
  • Richards, The Stones' rhythm guitarist, played bass on this.

Comments: 5

  • Lyden from Spofford Tx 7877Always liked this song and has really good groove.
  • Steve from Phoenix, AzYeah kind of like
    Lennon's I'm a walrus, which had
    nothing to do with the symbol of death
    or Paul dying.

    It was him throwing words at paper.
    What ever rhymed and was in his head
    at the time.

    Sitting on a cornflake -waiting for the Van
    to come.
    What?
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiIt sounds like "Kissing cotton cans" instead of what it really is.
  • Jacob from San Diego, Cajagger uses the word c-nt. that;s a no-no in todays popular music.
  • Dan from Uk, EnglandIt is widely beleived that the lyrics to this song were composed using William Burroughs "Cut-up", technique.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.