Flip The Switch

Album: Bridges To Babylon (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is either about someone who is dying and telling the people to pull the plug, he's ready to go, or it is about someone who has been sentenced to death and is telling the people he's ready to go. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Michael - London, England
  • Keith Richards: "Beat-wise the fastest track the Stones have ever cut or any other rock and roll song. It even beats Rip This Joint, which is always considered to be the fastest track ever cut. But it does come roaring at this beautiful beat and that's why I've been saying about Charlie Watts. The album starts with Charlie and it actually ends with Charlie, the whole record, so you know, I can go on and on about him, and everybody else yeah, great, really. But to me the real pleasure is playing with Charlie Watts, who is right on the top of his game. And that makes it much easier for me. Then I can really fly."
  • Mick Jagger: "It's a very strange lyric, really, about death and about madness and criminality and so on. Quite heavy stuff, really, but it's a good one. It's an excellent one to start a record with." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2

Comments: 5

  • Fid from FkirudaKeith says 'fastest track, faster than Rip This Joint'?!? There may be margin of error of a few BPM but my count says live version of 'Flip..' is about 153 beats per minute, studio version approx. 162 BPM and Rip This Joint is approx. 193 BPM.
  • Questor from Citrusheights, CaI first heard this song at a gym. It was extremely upbeat. I was surprised to look closer at the lyrics that it's so much about being so close to death. If I have to choose a way to go, this is it! It's otherwise got a very optimistic pulse to it. I've had some real down days especeially in the bad economy of 2011, and this tune makes me want to flip to on, better days ahead!
  • Brian from Alluhrst, NjI love the arab sound of the guitar
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, Casomeone should make a slower, more heartfelt version.
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaA pretty bad Stones song. Just doesn't have any feeling to it. Just seems of the assessmbly line.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.