It’s a cool song, “Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones.

But it’s the beat, the drums, the drummer, that’s what this post is about.

The band’s drummer, Charlie Watts, died this week at the age of 80. Listening to a remembrance on the radio, I was struck by two points.

First, he is regarded as one of the best drummers of all time, but not because he was flashy or particularly complicated in his playing,; instead, it was because he was steady. Watts provided a constant for the other musicians to play on top of – he was unwavering and reliable.

The other highlight was the fact that he was jazz fan and musician at heart; and yet. he played with one of the greatest rock and roll bands in history his entire life.

So here’s to you, Charlie.

Oh, and this lyric? Not bad either…

“Beast Of Burden”

I’ll never be your beast of burden
My back is broad, but it’s a-hurting
All I want, for you to make love to me
I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ve walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want is for you to make love to me

Am I hard enough?
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I’m not too blind to see

I’ll never be your beast of burden
So let’s go home and draw the curtains
Music on the radio
Come on, baby, make sweet love to me

Am I hard enough?
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I’m not too blind to see

Oh, little sister
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girls
You’re a pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Pretty, pretty, such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Come on, baby, please, please, please

I’ll tell you, you can put me out on the street
Put me out with no shoes on my feet
But put me out, put me out
Put me out of misery, yeah
All your sickness, I can suck it up
Throw it all at me, I can shrug it off
There’s one thing, baby, I don’t understand
You keep on telling me I ain’t your kind of man

Ain’t I rough enough? Ooh, honey
Ain’t I tough enough?
Ain’t I rich enough? In love enough?
Ooh, please

I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ll never be your beast of burden
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
I’ll never be your beast of burden
I’ve walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want is you to make love to me, yeah
I don’t need no beast of burden
I need no fussing, I need no nursing
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be”

Writers: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger