Mick Jagger is set to embrace fun as he kicks off 2025, highlighted by his recent social media antics. The Rolling Stones frontman shared a vibrant photo, capturing him with his mouth wide open, seemingly screaming with joy. The accompanying message was simple yet festive: “Happy New Year everybody!!”
Fans quickly gravitated toward this post, delighting in the jovial depiction of the rock legend. One user declared, “Now the year will be a good one!” Another added humorously, “Can see his tonsils!!” expressing their amusement. Yet another wished Jagger “even more unforgettable moments, rocking tunes, and endless energy” for the new year.
The snapshot wasn’t just any photo; it was taken by Jagger's 25-year-old son, Lucas, who couldn't help but humorously troll his father on Instagram, writing, “Who took this picture ????? (Me).” The father-son interaction added a personal touch to Jagger's New Year cheer.
Meanwhile, Ronnie Wood, another iconic member of The Rolling Stones, sent out his own New Year’s wish to fans, expressing hopes for love and happiness. Co-founding guitarist Keith Richards chose to mark the new year by remembering long-time Stones touring backup singer Bernard Fowler, wishing him happy birthday.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere on social media, Mick Jagger took the opportunity to reflect critically on one of the band's albums, 'Their Satanic Majesties Request.' Jagger has publicly expressed disdain for this psychedelic venture, which has long been regarded as the least traditional Rolling Stones album. He infamously stated, “I don’t think any of the songs are very good,” pinpointing only two tracks, “She’s a Rainbow” and “2000 Light Years From Home,” as worthwhile.
Released in 1967, during the height of the psychedelic era, 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' saw the band experiment away from their signature blues-rock sound, resulting instead in what many perceive as their trippy, acid-influenced foray. Critics accused the album of imitating The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,' with the late John Lennon himself being vocally unimpressed, stating, “Every fuckin’ thing we did, Mick does exactly the same – he imitates us.”
Looking back, Jagger reflected on the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the album’s creation, attributing its peculiar direction to personal tensions with the band’s manager, Andrew Loog Oldham. “We did it to piss Andrew off, because he was such a pain in the neck... It was like being at school,” Jagger chuckled of the process.
Keith Richards also weighed in on the divisiveness of the album, noting, “Some people think it’s genius... But I think it’s a mishmash of rubbish.” This collective downgrade of 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' from the band’s perspective only highlights the dichotomy experienced within their extensive career; where some fans hail the album as innovative and audacious, influential critics and the band members themselves acknowledge its detriment to their legacy.
The album's recording marked one of the most turbulent periods for the Rolling Stones. The era was characterized by drug-fueled creation and personal strife, which the band admits heavily affected their artistic decisions. Jagger himself candidly stated, “We were just getting carried away, just thinking anything you did was fun.”
Nevertheless, even as Jagger and Richards express their distaste for the record, it remains part of rock history — albeit as a peculiar chapter for the legendary band. The tortured production, influenced by drug use and personal conflicts, resulted in what many still find compelling. While the Stones do not hold 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' up as their best work, it undeniably showcases their evolution and versatility at a time when many fans were eager to see them explore new musical horizons.
Despite the harsh criticism of their own work, The Rolling Stones have continually found ways to maintain their relevance and keep performing, mounting successful tours and releasing new music. They may still face scrutiny for past mistakes, but the spirit of adventure, exemplified by Jagger’s playful New Year’s greeting, reminds their fans why they continue to rock on, well past their generation, defining the very essence of rock and roll.