the rolling stones' song "jumping jack flash", seems to me to be referring to the turbulence between ireland and the crown. a "jumping jack" was also a nickname given to a "bouncing betty", an anti-personel mine.(m14-m16). also a "bouncing betty" was a nickname also given to a certain grenade round fired from a grenade launcher. grenade launchers can be used to fire tear gas cannisters for riot control. also the lyrics(maybe)refer to the queen, or the crown, as a toothless bearded hag. have a listen or look up lyrics and then see what you think. i know that the band itself says the lyrics were just words strung together, but then, someone like mick jagger who i think was knighted, wouldn't exactly say publicly that they supported the irish movement would they?
2007-12-31 04:16:02 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
"I was born in a crossfire hurricane" refers to Micks birthplace, Dartford Kent during the height of the blitz. "Dartford was very much in the front line during the Second World War. The town and surrounding countryside was a target for air raids by German bombers.
I'm not sure if "I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag" refers to his mother or a school teacher but corporal punishment at home and school was very common until the 80's explaining "I was schooled with a strap right across my back".
The 60s for Micks generation created an escape from the misery of the post war years and a liberation from the rules and views of their parents generation, that's why mick sings with such conviction even to this day, "But it's all right now, in fact it's a gas
But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash
It's a gas, gas, gas"
I heard Mick discuss this one time back in the early 80s (I think) on a talk show. I've always love the song, and have been a Stones fan since I was a kid back in the 60s.
Hope that helps.
ADDED LATER: I can't believe I forgot to put in the most important part. "Jack Flash" is a slang term for heroine...and maybe the use of it is what made things better, or a "gas gas gas".
2007-12-31 06:04:50 · answer #1 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bouncing Betty's were landmines. The explosive charge shot up into the air about 3 feet before going off.
Just a technical correction.
2007-12-31 12:45:57 · answer #2 · answered by jclockson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually its not really military related acording to a rolling stone interview jagger was at richards country house and was awoken to a man by singing by his window when jagger asked richards who it was richard says it was his gardener jumpin' Jack the song grew from their
2007-12-31 12:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by theo136 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋