The Spider And The Fly

Album: Out Of Our Heads (1965)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Stones recorded this at Chess studios in Chicago during their first US tour. Many American Blues artists who The Stones admired recorded there.
  • This is about the pursuit of women on the road. Mick Jagger is the spider and the fly is the girl who gets caught in his web.
  • The Stones redid this for their 1995 compilation Stripped. In order to reflect their advancing age, the woman who comes on to Jagger in the song was changed from 30 to 50 years old.
  • In the UK, this was released as the B-side of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
  • Mick Jagger (1995): "I really wasn't mad about it, but when you listen to it on record, it still holds up quite interestingly as a blues song. It's a Jimmy Reed blues with British pop-group words, which is an interesting combination: a song somewhat stuck in a time warp." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 5

  • Cheech from Albany, AustraliaSorry you feel that way, Mick J, but this is one of my all-time fav Stone's songs - guess it's coz it's such a laid-back blues number, very traditional from my perspective. Any of the early Blues by the Stones are pretty-well right on the mark for my taste.
  • Demian from Buenos Aires, Argentinathis song is the side b of I cant get no satisfaction. In original edition(england edition, for deca) this song not be in out of our head.
  • Orangebeaker from Edinburgh, ScotlandThis song is only available on the US version of Out Of Our Heads, which is much better than the UK version btw.
  • Orangebeaker from Edinburgh, ScotlandThis was apparently a favourite of Peter Sutcliffe, the man who went on to become the Yorkshire Ripper. Apparently he used to put it on the jukebox all the time when he was out drinking, and often played it twice in a row. It's quite spooky when you look at the lyrics.
  • Mike from Berkeley, CaThis is a great blues song and it's been copied by many other artists; however there's something very unique they do with the guitars along with the Jimmy Reed type rhythm and clever harmonica. With the E7 chords they add this little chord part:

    E--0---------0----------0------------0----------0----------0----------0-
    B--0---------0----------0------------0----------0----------0----------0-
    G--1---------2----------4------------2----------1----------2----------4-
    D--0---------0----------0------------0----------0----------0----------0-
    A--2---------4----------5------------4----------2----------4----------5-
    E--0---------0----------0------------0----------0----------0----------0-

    Hit each chord form on the beat, hold the last one for two beats

    Then on the A7 drop down to this

    E--0----------0----------0----------0----------0----------0----------0--
    B--2----------3----------5----------3----------2----------3----------5--
    G--0----------0----------0----------0----------0----------0----------0--
    D--2----------4----------5----------4----------2----------4----------5--
    A--0----------0----------0----------0----------0----------0----------0--
    E--x----------x----------x----------x----------x----------x----------x-

    I wish this field would support a smaller font, but if you put it into word, it might come out right.. Anyway.. that's what I wanted to say.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.