Great analysis. I gotta say, I've always chafed a bit against this song, precisely because of that "petri dish" element you point out. Even when they made this, Mick and Keith were part of the upper crust by virtue of their money and fame. I'm sure they were thinking back to their roots and how hard they had it especially as a band starting out, but it doesn't really play out as empathy, more as sympathy.
Great analysis. I gotta say, I've always chafed a bit against this song, precisely because of that "petri dish" element you point out. Even when they made this, Mick and Keith were part of the upper crust by virtue of their money and fame. I'm sure they were thinking back to their roots and how hard they had it especially as a band starting out, but it doesn't really play out as empathy, more as sympathy.
There is definitely a sense of voyeurism that leaves me a bit cold - I guess a song that gets that discomfort across well is Pulp's 'Common People'
YES yes yes, great call.