You CAN Always Get What You Want

If what you want means following your true passion…

If what you want brings value to you and others…

If you’re willing to totally commit to achieving what you want and overcoming all obstacles…

Yes, you CAN absolutely and always get what you want.

Among my many musical influences was The Rolling Stones when I was performing solo and in bands during the ’60s. The albums The Rolling Stones, 12 x 5, The Rolling Stones, Now!, December’s Children (And Everybody’s), Aftermath, Between the Buttons, Their Satanic Majesties Request, Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed were my treasure chest of musical inspiration. So, walking through the doors of industry giant London Records at 539 West 25th Street in New York City for the decade of the ’70s and past the Rolling Stones gold records hanging on the walls of the hallway to my office was living the dream.

Working on the mastering and production of Hot Rocks 1964–1971 moved the dream from real to surreal. Released December 20, 1971, the double album compilation was The Rolling Stones’ biggest-selling release of their career spending 262 weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart and peaking at #4. The album sold in excess of six million copies and was certified twelve times platinum.

Among the gems on Hot Rocks 1964–1971 was “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” from Let It Bleed. Like most music from that era, when I listen to the songs today they take on new significance, especially the lyrics.

You can’t always get what you want

You can’t always get what you want

You can’t always get what you want

But if you try sometimes you

You might find

You get what you need

(Songwriters: RICHARDS, KEITH / JAGGER, MICK
You Can’t Always Get What You Want lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.

Author and speaker Jim Rohn: “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.” Negative self talk like telling yourself that “I can’t have what I want” is a guarantee that either you don’t want the right things or that you’ll never realize your true passion. And, the more you tell yourself these messages over and over and over again, echoing what your parents, teachers, coaches and significant others told you, the more likely you will live your life unfulfilled and longing. You might “get what you need” but surviving is not living in the truest existential sense of the word. The price will be living a life of repeatedly lamenting, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” So, better to send messages to your inner negative voices and tell them, “Hey! You! Get Off of My Cloud!”