Sweet Virginia

I wouldn't say its that much about drugs, actually.. I'd say its about going through a rough time in your life and using drugs as a way to hid from that pain... youve got "not a friend to help you through," so, as the beatles would put it, you get by with a little help from your friends. but now someone or a group of people missed the you who has been gone so long, and they're saying to come on back down and be with us, and toss all the stuff youve let drag you down off your back "got to scrape the shit righ' off your shoes." I think this is a song about coming to terms with yourself and moving on after a very long period of darkness. This is my favorite stones song.

i love the song i also love drugs lol

"...sweet and bitter fruits." The drugs are good, but this song is about the drugs you found so good turning into "shit" on "your shoes" once you've taken too many. The desert in the toenail, the speed in the shoe - both not only about drugs, but a lifestyle of secrets, lies and hiding that comes along with them. It's not worth it so he's coming down. But I think that's pretty easy to figure out. And, shite, this is just an incredible song. One of my favourites from Exile on Main St. It makes me think of wine glasses sloshing about in slow-motion.

Great Stones song that is very under-rated. I love it when he say "got to scrape that shit right off my shoes." Classic stones not this Rough Justice shit.

i dont care if this song is about drugs or not but to me this song helped me get over a bad break up i had and i think of it like "Got to scrape that shit right off you shoes" the "shit" is anything that is bothering you and in my case was my ex and i had to scrape that shit off my shoe and get over it.. thanks mick and keith

"Trying to stop the waves behind your eyeballs"

Is one of the all time great line.....without coming right out and saying it, Mick has taken to much of whatever he is taking, and he is just trying to come down a bit.

The deseert in the toe nail line is referance to more dope in the front portion of his shoes.

Ugly/beautiful era for the boys.........you decide.

I didn't get the meaning of the title until I went to Monticello and drank Sweet Virginia wine.

I just finished reading a book by Keith Richards. He talked about how they used to get heroin and it came in the shape of the sole of a shoe. Apparently it was easier to smuggle it across the border like that. Reds, yellows and blues....definate drug terms. This whole song is an ode to drugs...Sing it to me Mick!!

This one is just amazing--the slurred verses, the loud, pleading refrains, the beautiful sax solo.... the best off of Exile On Main Street, except maybe Rocks Off or Tumbling Dice

Easily my favorite Stones song