Music Friday: Keith Richards Reveals, 'I Just Love Singing About Precious Metal'

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Rolling Stones' guitarist and Rock and Roll icon Keith Richards explains the story behind the 1969 release, "You Got the Silver."

The song's memorable chorus goes like this: "You got my heart you got my soul / You got the silver you got the gold / You got the diamonds from the mine / Well that's all right, it'll buy some time."

In his YouTube series, "Ask Keith," Richards clarified that the lyrics were not intended to make a specific point.

"There's very little coherence in what I do, because I don't think that's the point," he said. "I always try to capture feelings rather than explain things to make a point about anything. You're usually wrong if you try to do that. At least I am."

Then, the 78-year-old smiled and revealed the real inspiration behind the lyrics.

"I just love singing about precious metal," he chuckled. "I don't mean heavy metal, I mean precious."

Originally released in 1969 as the second track on Side 2 of the group's classic Let It Bleed album, "You Got the Silver" languished as a rarely heard song until it was added to The Stones' set list in 1999. This exposed a whole new generation of fans to the song and Richards was reportedly surprised by how well the tune resonated with the live audiences.

Composed by Richards with an assist from Mick Jagger, "You Got the Silver" was the first Rolling Stones tune to feature Richards as the lead vocalist. The songwriting partnership of Richards and Jagger — which dates back to the time they were teenagers in 1962 — has been one of the most successful and prolific in history.

Let It Bleed was such a landmark achievement that the album was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005. It also made Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." The Rolling Stones were formed in London 60 years ago and are still active today. With estimated record sales of 200 million, The Stones are considered one of the best-selling musical acts of all time.

Please check out the video of Richards performing "You Got the Silver." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…

"You Got The Silver"
Written by Keith Richards and Michael Phillip Jagger. Performed by The Rolling Stones, featuring Keith Richards (vocals) and Ronnie Wood (guitar).

Hey babe, what's in your eyes?
I saw them flashing like airplane lights
You fill my cup, babe, that's for sure
I must come back for a little more

You got my heart you got my soul
You got the silver you got the gold
You got the diamonds from the mine
Well that's all right, it'll buy some time

Tell me, honey, what will I do
When I'm hungry and thirsty too
Feeling foolish (and that's for sure)
Just waiting here at your kitchen door?

Hey baby, what's in your eyes?
Is that the diamonds from the mine?
What's that laughing in your smile?
I don't care, no, I don't care

Oh babe, you got my soul
You got the silver you got the gold
If that's your love, just leave me blind
I don't care, no, that's no big surprise

Credit: Photo by Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Grey Cup Rings Tell Story of Back-to-Back Championships

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers received their 2021 Grey Cup Championship Rings Saturday night during a soiree held at the exclusive Pinnacle Club at IG Field. The two-tone rings tell the story of the club's back-to-back championships, as well as its stunning 33-25 overtime triumph against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the title game this past December.

Designed in 10-karat gold by Canadian jeweler Baron Championship Rings, the face of the dazzling keepsakes feature the club's iconic "W" logo outlined in blue enamel sitting atop the diamond-studded Grey Cup and surrounded by a contrasting 10K yellow gold halo with raised lettering spelling out the phrase "Grey Cup Champions."

The bottom section of the Grey Cup includes 33 diamonds to represent the number of points scored by the Blue Bombers in their overtime win. Above the Grey Cup, on the shoulder of the ring, is the number "108" to signify the 108th Grey Cup. The word "Winnipeg," a nod to the team's host city, anchors the shoulder on the opposite side.

The outer edge of the ring is lined with 12 round sapphires, representing the organization's total championship wins. There are six on one side and six on the other, all set in yellow gold and separated by the phrases "Blue Bombers" and "Back-to-Back."

One side of the ring displays the player's name, position and jersey number rendered in diamonds over a gridiron background.

The opposite side includes a unique and detailed etching of a real photo of fans taken during the championship season. The fans — famous for being the CFL's loudest — are framed by the IG Field arches and the year 2021.

The team's season record is etched on the outer shank of the ring, while the inner shank is engraved with a personalized message unique to each player.

Also on the inside of the ring is the final score of the 108th Grey Cup along with the initials "FIFO" and the team's slogan, "For The W."

"FIFO" was written on a sign above the doors in the Blue Bombers’ locker room. When spelled out, the acronym summed up the organization’s philosophy when it came to assembling the right group of football players to deliver a championship. A family-friendly translation of the off-color phrase would be "fit in or find your way out."

Assisting in the design process was a committee that included linebacker Adam Bighill, receiver Nic Demski, defensive end Willie Jefferson and Rhéanne Marcoux, the Blue Bombers' Director of Creative & Content.

Credits: Images courtesy of Baron Championship Rings.

Pure Gold Coin Is the Size of a Small Pizza and Weighs More Than Your 3-Year-Old

The Royal Mint has just produced the largest coin in its 1,100-year history to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's historic 70-year reign.

About the size of a small pizza, the one-of-a-kind Platinum Jubilee coin is made of .999 gold and weighs an astonishing 15 kilograms (33.1 pounds). The coin carries a denomination of £15,000, but the value of the precious metal alone is £776,595 ( $982,000).

Instead of being struck between two dies like a standard coin, this 220-millimeter-wide collectible was cut into a solid gold ingot by a high-speed precision milling machine before the processes of burnishing, polishing and frosting were carried out by hand to highlight key design elements. The process took nearly 400 hours of refinement using state-of-the-art engraving and laser technology.

A private UK collector commissioned the coin, which features a bespoke commemorative design that had been personally approved by The Queen, according to The Royal Mint.

“As the largest UK coin to date, the scale and diameter of the piece has allowed us to push the boundaries of minting to produce an exceptional level of relief and detail," said Paul Morgan, Technical Manager at The Royal Mint. "It is a true testament to the expertise and skills of our in-house design and production teams, and their ability to collaborate with the finest artists. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology has produced a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art.”

The private collector has been a long-standing customer of The Royal Mint and an enthusiastic investor in coins marking moments throughout The Queen’s reign.

"The latest and greatest in my collection is the Platinum Jubilee coin, designed by John Bergdahl and brought to life in 15 kilograms of solid gold," the collector said in a statement. "The beautiful design stands apart as a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s service to our nation and the craftsmanship is simply breathtaking, ensuring a once-in-a-lifetime moment will live on in history on a UK coin.”

The reverse side depicts a crowned EIIR cypher surrounded by roses, daffodils, thistles and shamrocks, representing the United Kingdom. It also includes a symbolic privy mark of the St. Edward’s Crown worn during Elizabeth's coronation in 1953, positioned above the number "70," in recognition of Her Majesty’s momentous celebration.

On the obverse side of the coin, a special commemorative design depicting The Queen on horseback is engraved on the precious metal.

The Royal Mint has told the story of The Queen’s reign on UK coins since her accession to the throne in 1952, including five definitive portraits of Her Majesty.

Credit: Image courtesy of The Royal Mint.