Ruby Tuesday

A song written by Keith Richards, inspired by a relationship that broke his heart.

– It’s one of those things—some girl you broke up with. And all you’re left with is a piano, a guitar, and a pair of underwear. And that goodbye, you know. And that’s just how it comes out. And then you just run with it. It’s one of those songs that’s easiest to write, because you’re really right there and you really mean it. And for a songwriter, hey, break his heart and he’ll come up with a good song—Keith Richards

The song became the band’s fourth number-one hit in the United States and reached number three in the UK as a double A-side with “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” The song was included on the U.S. version of the album *Between the Buttons* (in the UK, singles were often omitted from studio albums).

Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song at number 310 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. It didn’t make the top 50.

“It’s a great song,” Mick Jagger said in 1995. “It’s just a beautiful melody. And lovely lyrics. I didn’t write it, but I always enjoy singing it.”

The singer Melanie, whom I happen to like very much and whose albums I own, released a cover of “Ruby Tuesday” in 1970, which reached No. 9 on the UK charts and No. 52 in the United States. Rod Stewart also released a popular cover version, accompanied by a music video. His 1993 version reached number 11 on the UK charts.