Phoenix 24
New Rolling Stones song reflects unease and nostalgia.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — July 2026. Keith Richards has described the United States as “a bit disappointing” amid the country’s current political and economic climate, while discussing the themes behind a new Rolling Stones song. The legendary guitarist said “Ringing Hollow,” included on the band’s forthcoming album Foreign Tongues, combines affection for America with frustration over the direction the country has taken. Richards presented the song as a nostalgic reflection rather than an explicit attack against President Donald Trump. His comments have nevertheless placed the track within a wider conversation about economic pressure, political polarization and changes in the American identity.
Richards has lived in Connecticut since 1985 and has spent more than four decades observing political, cultural and social transformations across the United States. He said economic concerns are increasingly visible among the people around him, particularly through complaints about gasoline prices and the pressure placed on household finances. His remarks suggested that the disappointment expressed in the song is connected not only to national politics but also to the everyday difficulties confronting American residents. The guitarist’s long relationship with the country gives the song a personal dimension shaped by admiration, experience and concern.
Mick Jagger offered a broader explanation of the track, saying it addresses the United States generally and the band’s accumulated experiences there rather than focusing exclusively on the Trump administration. The Rolling Stones vocalist acknowledged that the American Dream continues to exist for some people, including immigrants who have built successful lives in the country. However, he also referred to growing public discussion surrounding the decline of American influence, the expansion of imperial power and the role of lobbying within the political system. His interpretation positions “Ringing Hollow” as an observation of national contradictions rather than a conventional protest song.
The Rolling Stones have previously clashed with Trump over the unauthorized use of their music at political events. In 2016, the band stated that his campaign did not have permission to play “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and legal warnings followed after the song was used again in 2020. Jagger also criticized Trump publicly in 2019, expressing concern about political division, dishonesty and the weakening of environmental protections in the United States. Those earlier disputes have contributed to speculation that the new song contains a direct political message, although the musicians have avoided defining it solely in those terms.
Foreign Tongues, the Rolling Stones’ 25th studio album, is scheduled for release on July 10 and follows the band’s 2023 record Hackney Diamonds. The album includes collaborations with Paul McCartney and Robert Smith of The Cure, along with other guest musicians associated with several generations of rock and popular music. It will also feature the band’s interpretation of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” extending the record’s connection to British musical history. The project arrives as the Rolling Stones continue combining their six-decade legacy with songs addressing contemporary cultural and political tensions.
Rock music continues to reflect the uncertainties of its time.