<P> The three verses (and the varied theme of the fourth verse) address major topics of the 1960s: love, politics, and drugs . Each verse captures the essence of the initial optimism and eventual disillusion, followed by the resigned pragmatism of the chorus . </P> <P> Unterberger ebalorated: </P> <P> Much has been made of the lyrics reflecting the end of the overlong party that was the 1960s, as a snapshot of Swinging London burning out . That's a valid interpretation, but it should also be pointed out that there's also an uplifting and reassuring quality to the melody and performance . This is particularly true of the key lyrical hook, when we are reminded that we can't always get what we want, but we'll get what we need . </P> <P> Jimmy Hutmaker of Excelsior, Minnesota, claimed to be the "Mr. Jimmy" cited in the song and that he said the phrase "you can't always get what you want" to Jagger during a chance encounter at an Excelsior drug store in 1964 . However, David Dalton, a writer for Rolling Stone who witnessed the filming of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, claims in his commentary for the DVD of the concert that "Mr. Jimmy" refers to Jimmy Miller, the Stones producer from 1968 to 1973 . </P>

Can't always get what you want lyrics meaning