On This Day in 1978: The Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden” Rocks SNL and Climbs Into the Top 10
via MrBeatlepaul / YouTube
A Landmark TV Moment
On October 7, 1978, The Rolling Stones appeared on NBC’s Saturday Night Live and performed “Beast of Burden.” That television moment helped push the song to its peak position of #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 a month later. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the band appeared on SNL in part to promote their then-recent album Some Girls, giving fans a rare live TV performance.
The SNL performance carried extra weight. By that time, Some Girls had just been released in June 1978, and “Beast of Burden” was growing in popularity. The TV appearance gave it fresh exposure to a broader audience just as the single climbed the charts.
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Song Origins and Style
“Beast of Burden” comes from Some Girls, a 1978 album that mixed rock, blues, and pop elements. The song was released as the second U.S. single off that record, backed by “When the Whip Comes Down,” and it reached #8 on the Hot 100. It stands out as a softer, soulful track compared to the harder rock moments on the album, with a groove built around interplay between guitars and Mick Jagger’s vocal lines.
In the studio, Jagger and Richards traded ideas freely. The song features both acoustic and electric guitars. While Richards and Ronnie Wood often switch between lead and rhythm parts, here they blend in harmony, creating a smooth, layered sound. Jagger later described the song as more of an attitude piece than a deeply personal one: “Lyrically, this wasn’t particularly heartfelt in a personal way. It’s a soul-begging song, an attitude song.”
The Impact of SNL
When The Rolling Stones played “Beast of Burden” on SNL, the performance was seen as a validation for both the show and the band. It represented a meeting of rock legend and mainstream television, bringing the song into living rooms across America.
The significance of their appearance extended beyond just one song. SNL had only recently become a powerful platform, and having The Stones on the show added prestige. The band reportedly stirred controversy behind the scenes, with rumors of wild rehearsals, studio chaos, and tensions over their stage attire.
Watch the Stones’ SNL performance below:
Chart Success and Legacy
“Beast of Burden” rose steadily after the SNL broadcast, becoming one of the standout singles from Some Girls. The song’s smooth rhythm, melodic hooks, and lyrical tone gave it wide appeal.
Over time, the track has remained a favorite in the Stones’ catalogue, praised for its balance of restraint and soul. It captures a moment when the band was exploring new sonic territory while retaining their rock roots. The SNL performance, in retrospect, helped cement that status.
