Genre Psychedelic rock Writer(s) Jagger/Richards | Length 2:50 | |
Released 8 December 1967 (UK)
9 December 1967 (US) Recorded 9 February - 23 October 1967 at Olympic Studios, London, England Label Decca/ABKCO (UK)
London/ABKCO (US and Canada) | ||
"Citadel" is a song by English rock band The Rolling Stones, released as the second track on their 1967 album Their Satanic Majesties Request.
Driven by a guitar riff played by Keith Richards, the song is notably harder, with a stronger guitar presence, than other songs on the psychedelic album.
The chorus refers to actress Candy Darling and her friend Taffy, who The Rolling Stones had previously met at the Hotel Albert in New York City. According to Darling:
"We met them in the Hotel Albert. We were on the floor above them and we dangled a bunch of grapes down on a string outside their window. You see, the Citadel is New York and the song is a message to us -- Taffy and me."
According to bassist Bill Wyman, the song had the working title "After Five".
It has been covered by many alternative and punk bands including British punk group The Damned, British post-punkers The Comsat Angels, and American alternative rock band Redd Kross.
Serbian rock band Električni Orgazam covered the song on their cover album Les Chansones Populaires.