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Devo’s version of “I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction)” finds another way into the song. Instead of being a playboy’s lament by Mick Jagger about not getting everything he wants, it becomes a cathartic howl of frustration, the narrator hemmed in by the brittle rhythms and unable to connect.

But Devo had to take a beat before they could unleash this unique take on the world. It was explained to the band that their version could be considered parody. That separated it from the typical cover version, which would have required them simply paying for the rights to record the song.


Instead, the band was told that they had to personally get permission from Mick Jagger himself. Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale of Devo dutifully headed to New York City to pay their homage. And they were thrilled when, upon hearing the track, Jagger broke into a dance and expressed how much he loved what they’d done.

Cold Water on the Triumph
In an episode of their video web series Devolutionary Times, Gerald Casale explained that they later found out Jagger’s reaction wasn’t quite the triumph they hoped it would be, as their manager Elliot Roberts poured cold water on their enthusiasm:


“He goes, ‘Listen, before you guys ever got there, I told Peter to tell Mick to say he liked it, ’cause you guys are gonna make him a s— ton of money, ’cause they retain all the publishing on the song.’ So, he kind of like, you know, schooled us.”

Regardless of that, Devo did more than cover “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”. They essentially reinvented it. That bold move helped put Devo on the musical map. And they’ve been hacking away at the staid conventions of pop music ever since that moment.


https://youtu.be/UvqnC5GRcvw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB0q1657z5w&list=RDmB0q1657z5w&start_radio=1

I tried to get an education
And each examination day, I fail
I tried to get an education
And each examination day, I fail
Even when I go night clubbin’
I always wind up in jail