Ruby Tuesday (song)

"Ruby Tuesday" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released in January 1967. The song became the band's fourth number-one hit in the United States and reached number three in the United Kingdom as a double A-side with "Let's Spend the Night Together". The song was included in the American version of Between the Buttons (in the UK, singles were often excluded from studio albums).

"Ruby Tuesday"
US picture sleeve
Single by the Rolling Stones
from the album Between the Buttons (US release)
A-side	"Let's Spend the Night Together" (double A-side)
Released	13 January 1967
Recorded	November 1966
Studio	Olympic, London
Genre	Baroque pop[1] psychedelic pop[2] psychedelic soul[3]
Length	3:12
Label	Decca (UK) London (North America)
Songwriter(s)	Jagger–Richards
Producer(s)	Andrew Loog Oldham
The Rolling Stones singles chronology
"Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow?" (1966) "Ruby Tuesday" / "Let's Spend the Night Together" (1967) "We Love You" (1967)

Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song number 310 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.^[4]

Composition and recording

The Rolling Stones recorded "Ruby Tuesday" around November 1966 at Olympic Studios,^[5] during the sessions for their album Between the Buttons.^{[6][note 1]} The song was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham.^[8] Brian Jones plays a countermelody on an alto recorder,^[9] while the double bass was played jointly by bassist Bill Wyman and guitarist Keith Richards; Wyman did the fingerings while Richards bowed the instrument.^[5][6]

Richards explained that the lyrics are about Linda Keith, his girlfriend in the mid-1960s:

Who could hang a name on you
When you change with every new day?
Still, I'm gonna miss you.^[10]

"That's a wonderful song," Mick Jagger told Jann Wenner in 1995. "It's just a nice melody, really. And a lovely lyric. Neither of which I wrote, but I always enjoy singing it."^[11] Wyman states in Rolling with the Stones that the lyrics were completely written by Richards with help from Jones on the musical composition.^{[page needed]} However, Marianne Faithfull recalls it differently; according to her, Jones presented an early version of this melody to the rest of the Rolling Stones.^{[12][full citation needed]} According to Victor Bockris, Richards came up with the basic track and the words and finished the song with Jones in the studio.^{[13][full citation needed]}

Cash Box described the single as a "smooth ballad a la baroque."^[14]

Release

"Ruby Tuesday" was released as the B-side to "Let's Spend the Night Together" in January 1967.^[15] Due to the controversial nature of the A-side's lyrics, "Ruby Tuesday" earned more airplay and ended up charting higher in the US.^[16] The song topped the American Billboard Hot 100 chart, while reaching number three in the UK's Record Retailer chart, which listed "Let's Spend The Night Together"/"Ruby Tuesday" as a double A-side.

"Ruby Tuesday" was included on the US version of the 1967 album Between the Buttons, while being left out of the British edition, as was common practice with singles in the UK at that time. That summer, the song appeared on the US compilation album Flowers.^[10] Due to its success, the song became a staple of the band's compilations, being included on Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) (1969), Hot Rocks 1964–1971 (1971), Rolled Gold (1975), and 30 Greatest Hits (1977), and, in mono, on Singles Collection: The London Years (1989).

Personnel

According to authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon,^[17] except where noted:

The Rolling Stones

• Mick Jagger – vocals, tambourine
• Keith Richards – acoustic guitar, double bass (bowing)
• Brian Jones – alto recorder, backing vocals,^[9] piano^{[note 2]}
• Bill Wyman – double bass (fingering), bass guitar
• Charlie Watts – drums

Additional musician

• Jack Nitzsche – piano

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1967) Peak position Australia[18] 2 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] 2 Finland (Suomen Virallinen)[20] 14 Ireland (IRMA)[21] 6 Rhodesia (Lyons Maid)[22] 10 South Africa (Springbok)[23] 4 UK[24] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[25] 1 US Cash Box Top 100[26] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1967) Rank Canada[27] 5 US Billboard Hot 100[28] 24

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[29]	Gold	35,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[30]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[31]	Gold	1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Live version

"Ruby Tuesday (live)"
Single by the Rolling Stones
from the album Flashpoint
B-side	"Play with Fire (live)"
Released	24 May 1991 (1991-05-24)
Recorded	27 February 1990
Venue	Korakuen Dome, Tokyo
Genre	Rock
Length	3:34
Label	Rolling Stones
Songwriter(s)	Jagger/Richards
Producer(s)	Chris Kimsey The Glimmer Twins
The Rolling Stones singles chronology
"Highwire" (1991) "Ruby Tuesday (live)" (1991) "Love Is Strong" (1994)

"Ruby Tuesday" was first played live on Brian Jones' last concert tour The Rolling Stones European Tour 1967. The next time was on the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour in 1989/1990. A concert rendition from this tour was featured on the band's 1991 live album Flashpoint and released as a single.^[32] This live version was recorded in Japan in 1990 and can be seen on the video release Live at the Tokyo Dome. The B-side was "Play with Fire (live)" recorded in 1989 but not included on the Flashpoint album.

A July 2013 live performance is featured on Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live.

Melanie version

"Ruby Tuesday"
Single by Melanie
B-side	"Merry Christmas"
Released	December 1970 (1970-12)
Length	4:31
Label	Buddah
Songwriter(s)	Jagger/Richards

American folk and pop singer Melanie recorded "Ruby Tuesday" for her 1970 album Candles in the Rain. Her version was released as a single in the UK, where it became a Top Ten hit that year. It also reached number seven in New Zealand.^[33] She recorded a second cover version for her 1978 album Ballroom Streets.

Chart (1970–71)	Peak position
Canada RPM Top Singles[34]	25
Ireland (IRMA)[35]	12
New Zealand	7
South Africa (Springbok)[36]	10
UK (The Official Charts Company)[37]	9
US Billboard Hot 100[38]	52
US Cash Box Top 100 [39]	34
Australia (Kent Music Report)[40]	70

Other versions

• 1968: Rotary Connection, with singer Minnie Riperton, released a cover of the song on their debut album Rotary Connection.^[41]
• 1969: Oliver released a version of the song on his album Good Morning Starshine.^[42]
• 1984: Nazareth recorded a cover of the song on their fifteenth studio album The Catch.
• 1989: Julian Lennon released a version of the song on the compilation album entitled The Wonder Years: Music from the Emmy Award-Winning Show & Its Era, a soundtrack for The Wonder Years TV series.^[43]
• 1993: Rod Stewart recorded a version for his 1993 compilation album, Lead Vocalist, and released it as a single through Warner Bros. Records on 8 February 1993.^[44][45] His cover reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.^[46] Across the rest of Europe, the song entered the top 40 in Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, and the Netherlands.^[47][48][49] In Denmark, it became a top-10 hit, reaching number seven.^[50]
• 1996: Dick Gaughan included his version of the song on his album "Sail On" (Greentrax).
• 1996: Scottish band Big Country recorded the song on their album "Eclectic" on Transatlantic Records.
• 2002: The Corrs recorded with Ronnie Wood a cover version on their VH1 Presents: The Corrs, Live in Dublin album.
• 2011: Scorpions recorded a cover version on their Comeblack album.

Restaurant chain

Samuel E. Beall III used the title of the song when he started his restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday. The name was suggested by one of several fraternity brothers who were co-investors.^[51]

Notes

1. Bill Wyman writes the band recorded the song on 16 November 1966.^[7] Authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon write the song's sessions took place between 16 November and 6 December 1966,^[5] while authors Andy Babiuk and Greg Prevost instead write it was 9–26 November 1966.^[6]
2. Margotin and Guesdon write that Jones "probably" contributed harpsichord during the refrains, but offer the possibility it was a honky-tonk piano.^[5] In his autobiography, Stone Alone, Wyman writes it was piano.^[7] Authors Andy Babiuk and Greg Prevost write Jones' "main contribution" was recorder.^[6]

References

1. "Steve Smith: Wyman and Taylor join the Rolling Stones onstage; Coldplay takes a break". Pasadena Star-News. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
2. Breihan, Tom (3 October 2018). "The Number Ones: The Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday"". Stereogum. Retrieved 14 June 2023. Working in that whole baroque and flowery psych-pop style, the Stones sound a bit awkward and out of step.
3. "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
4. "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
5. Margotin & Guesdon 2016, p. 241.
6. Babiuk & Prevost 2013, p. 244.
7. Wyman & Coleman 1990, p. 397.
8. Margotin & Guesdon 2016, p. 240.
9. Everett 2009, p. 100.
10. "Show 46 – Sergeant Pepper at the Summit: The very best of a very good year. [Part 2] : UNT Digital Library". Digital.library.unt.edu. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
11. Wenner, Jann S. (14 December 1995). "Jagger Remembers". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
12. "Brian Jones", Mojo Magazine, July 1999, p.75
13. Bockris, Keith Richards, 1993, p.93-94
14. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 14 January 1967. p. 18. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
15. London (1989). Singles Collection: The London Years (Boxed set booklet). The Rolling Stones. New York City: ABKCO Records. p. 71. 1218-2.
16. "Let's Spend the Night Together" at AllMusic
17. Margotin & Guesdon 2016, pp. 240–241.
18. Billboard. 8 April 1967.
19. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 10044." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
20. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. p. 240. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
21. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ruby Tuesday". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
22. Kimberley, C (2000). Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book. p. 32.
23. "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
24. Roberts, David (2005). Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles and Albums (18th ed.). Guinness World Records Limited. p. 428. ISBN 1-904994-00-8.
25. "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
26. "Cash Box Top 100 2/25/67". Tropicalglen.com. 25 February 1967. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
27. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
28. "Top 100 Hits of 1967/Top 100 Songs of 1967". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
29. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
30. "British single certifications – Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
31. "American single certifications – The Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
32. Ruby Tuesday (live) Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
33. "flavour of new zealand – search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
34. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 9 January 1971. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
35. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ruby Tuesday". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
36. "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
37. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 26 September 1970. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
38. "Melanie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
39. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, 2 January 1971". Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
40. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 333. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
41. "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 80. 24 February 1968. p. 62.
42. Viglione, Joe. "Good Morning Starshine – Oliver". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
43. Mathew, Leslie. "The Wonder Years: Music From the Emmy Award-Winning Show & Its Era – Original Tv Soundtrack". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
44. "Lead Vocalist – Rod Stewart". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
45. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 6 February 1993. p. 27.
46. "Rod Stewart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
47. "Rod Stewart – Ruby Tuesday" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
48. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (19.–25. mars)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 18 March 1993. p. 29. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
49. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ruby Tuesday". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
50. "Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark". Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 10. 6 March 1993. p. 20.
51. Segal, David (7 November 2009). "At Ruby Tuesday, Casual Dining Dons a Blazer". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 May 2012.

Sources

• Babiuk, Andy; Prevost, Greg (2013). Rolling Stones Gear: All the Stones' Instruments from Stage to Studio. Milwaukee: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1-61713-092-2.
• Everett, Walter (2009). The Foundations of Rock: From "Blue Suede Shoes" to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-531024-5.
• Margotin, Philippe; Guesdon, Jean-Michel (2016). The Rolling Stones All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. ISBN 978-0-316-31774-0.
• Wyman, Bill; Coleman, Ray (1990). Stone Alone: The Story of a Rock 'n' Roll Band. New York City: Viking Penguin. ISBN 978-0-670-82894-4.