The Rolling Stones – Angry: Still Rocking, Still Reckoning

A New Flame From the Old Fire

When you hear that opening riff on “Angry”, you know the Stones are back at it — defiant, sharp, and unmistakably themselves. Released in September 2023, this track became the lead single from the band’s album Hackney Diamonds — their first collection of original material in 18 years.

From the first line —

“Don’t get angry with me / I never caused you no pain…”
— the song feels like Mick Jagger isn’t just singing, but conversing with the listener and his own past.

Origins of the Return

“Angry” was written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Andrew Watt, and produced under Watt’s helm. Its release came with a bit of Stones-style mischief: they teased a website dontgetangrywithme.com, put cryptic notices in a London paper, and built up the return in classic fashion.

The Lyrics: Friction, Reflection, and Raw Emotion

It’s not just a rock song — it’s fearless self-examination. The narrator asks why the anger is there, where it’s coming from, and whether it’s real or projected. Lines like “It hasn’t rained for a month / The river’s run dry…” sketch a relationship in drought, a longing for something lost.

Yet at the same time, the song has swagger. The Stones don’t beg for sympathy — they confront tension with style. It’s a familiar mix of regret and bravado.

The Music: Grit, Groove, and That Signature Edge

Musically, “Angry” carries all the hallmarks of the Stones’ sound: a heavy guitar riff, rhythmic punch, and Jagger’s voice cutting through like a blade. There’s a sense of urgency and age-earned confidence — they’re not trying to chase youth, they’re owning the moment.

The production by Watt brings a trim modern edge, but the roots are unmistakably old school Stones. It bridges eras.

A Fan’s Reflection

I remember first hearing “Angry” streaming on the radio and thinking: They still got it. It wasn’t a nostalgia trip. It felt alive and vital. I turned it up, leaned into the riff, and felt that rush only the Stones can provide. The fact they’re still sending that kind of electricity, decades in, is something rare.

Why “Angry” Still Matters

In 2023, when the headlines and the world feel fraught with tension, “Angry” doesn’t shy away — it leans in. For a band that’s been around icons and eras, the track proves they’re not just surviving, they’re still relevant.

For me, it’s more than a comeback single. It’s a statement: The Rolling Stones still know how to rock, still know how to provoke, and still know how to make music that matters.