BOSTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The Rolling Stones are not surprised a political song from their new album is ruffling feathers.
The track "Sweet Neo-Con" is a blatant slap at U.S. President George W. Bush, referring to him as a "hypocrite" and taking his administration's policies to task. The song is one of three the Stones have made available online prior to the release of the "A Bigger Bang" album Sept. 6.
"It's just a pretty direct anti-neo-conservative policy jab, really," explains frontman Mick Jagger. "People are very sensitive about things like that here."
Guitarist Keith Richards, Jagger's songwriting partner, had reservations about releasing the song.
"Politicians, really, I don't know if they're worth a Rolling Stones song," he says with a laugh. "My concern was will it detract from the album? But I told Mick, 'I understand it and I'm with you all the way.' There is a first amendment, right? Let's hope so."
The Stones have started their "A Bigger Bang" tour, which will play in North America through early 2006.
