#SongLyricSunday : Animal

It’s Song Lyric Sunday, and we have another fun prompt from  Jim over at A Unique Title For Me who has stepped up as Guest Host for this weekly post.
 
This week our word prompt is “Animal”. 


Once again, I’ve decided to take a slightly different approach to the challenge. Sure, there are lots of good songs out there with the word ‘animal’ in the lyrics, and there are even a few with ‘animal’ in their band name. But my brain keeps coming back to this song, so I feel I must share it with you.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a “Beast of Burden” is an animal employed to carry heavy loads or to perform other heavy work (such as pulling a plow). It’s first known use of the term was in 1740

Urban Dictionary goes on to define “Beast of Burden” as someone who carries another's burdens, insecurities, or issues. This comes from the term for an animal used to transport goods or conduct hard labor such as an ox.

So what does Mick Jagger mean when he sings “I’ll never be your beast of burden”?  Keith Richards explains this one for us, as he’s the one that wrote the majority of the song.

"When I returned to the fold after closing down the laboratory [referring to his drug problems throughout the 1970s], I came back into the studio with Mick... to say, 'Thanks, man, for shouldering the burden' - that's why I wrote "Beast of Burden" for him, I realise in retrospect."

The Lyrics:

Read “Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones on Genius

Song Lyric Sunday Rules for participation (note: you don’t need to participate to comment):

• Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
• Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
• Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
• Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
• Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient.
• Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
• Feel free to suggest future prompts.
• Have fun and enjoy the music.

Did you enjoy today’s post? Be sure to check out Jim’s post to see the other participants and come back next week for more Song Lyric Sunday fun! - And if you're interested stop by tomorrow (Monday) to see my setlist of Occupation Overflow from last week's theme.
 
Ooh. and I need your help. Yes. You.  I'm working on a future post (date still to be determined). I had a brilliant thought in the middle of the night (isn't that when everyone gets those?) And thought I would toss the idea to the wolves.. er I mean you, my reader, for some assistance.

I'm looking for songs that contain lyrics that kids today wouldn't understand.
For example: Dr Hook's Sylvia's Mother - 'and the operator says "Forty cents more, for the next three minutes"'
Be sure to name the song, the artist (or group) and the lyric line.