The Tree Swings Diagonally

Fables and Fornication

The correct word would actually be parable ­– there are no talking animals in The Rolling Stones’ song “Spider and the Fly,” so you’ll have to excuse my lack of precision for the sake of alliteration. Released in 1965, “Spider and the Fly” has become my favorite song from the Stones’ fourth album Out of Our Heads (also home to the seminal “Satisfaction”) for its structural simplicity, it’s infantile simile, and its omission of repercussion to the idyllic debauchery of a rock star on the road. Despite the docile harmonica, the mellow guitar solo*, the “would have run away but I was on my own,” creating the illusion of premeditated acquiescence to his little girl’s wishes, they are just other pieces to Mick Jagger’s intricately woven web.

*replaced by the harmonica in this live version