The longtime Rolling Stones rocker, in a conversation on The New York Times’ “The Interview” podcast, said rather than engaging with his live audiences politically, à la Bruce Springsteen, he prefers a neutral approach.
“My job in the live music world is just [to have] those people that come have the best time they possibly can. And for two hours or whatever it is, to forget all their problems and the problems of the world and their mortgages and their whatever,” Jagger, 82, said. “It’s similar to going to a sports event, really. You’re just watching [to see] who’s going to win. You know, you’re not worrying about everything else.”
The rock icon said that for some audiences, that means getting rowdy, while in others, the energy is calmer. Regardless, the goal is to make sure “they’re having a good time” and not “lecture them.”
That’s not to say Jagger is completely averse to politics. Reflecting on the recent release of the band’s 25th studio album, “Foreign Tongues,” the singer says that at this point in his career, he’s including a little more social commentary in the music.
Springsteen is ‘angry’ at Trump, but says he and his band are ‘built for hard times’
“I’ve also got into this habit of doing songs that are about personal relationships, and then I throw a verse about politics in there,” he said. “I think that’s a trick, you know, that I’ve learned from other songwriters or I’ve listened to others.”
However, he’s adamant that “nobody wants to hear a whole song about politics or social comment of any kind.”
He points to the “Foreign Tongues” track “Rough and Twisted,” which includes lyrics like “The only club was called Conspiracy / They didn’t like me much / What they wanted was tyranny,” as “really just a stream of consciousness.”
Bad Bunny, Springsteen and the wait for a defining protest song
He’s The Boss. Rock and roll legend Bruce Springsteen is known as much for his music as he is for his outspoken politics and global stardom.
Look back at his iconic moments on stage and throughout his career in photos, starting here, as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform a concert at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 2, 1981.
(Steve Auchard/The Record)
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform a concert at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 2, 1981.
(Steve Auchard/The Record)
Bruce Springsteen joins all of the night’s performers for the finale of Light of Day Winterfest 2026 main event, “Bob’s Birthday Bash,” at Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
(Tanya Breen/Asbury Park Press)
Meanwhile, Springsteen has gone full crusader, dedicating his last tour, the Land of Hope & Dreams American tour, his single “Streets of Minneapolis,” and several No Kings rally performances to condemning the Trump administration.
“There’s the classic, ‘Well, which side are you on?’ You do have to make your stand and follow your beliefs, and have faith that they will be understandable by your fellow citizens,” Springsteen said during a panel on June 13 at Tribeca Festival, where he was honored with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award. “At best, I’m a concerned citizen. I sing my songs and wish for the best.”
Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mick Jagger against giving audiences a ‘lecture’ on politics during concerts