Rolling Stones frontman clarifies 'mad mogul' lyric referencing Elon Musk
Mick Jagger has reframed his lyrical reference to Elon Musk as a backhanded compliment, highlighting the growing cultural and economic reliance on private tech leaders over traditional state institutions.
Mick Jagger has clarified that his reference to Elon Musk as a “mad mogul” on the new Rolling Stones album is not a direct insult, but a reflection on the shifting landscape of space exploration. The lyric appears on the track ‘Mr Charm’ from the band’s 25th studio album, ‘Foreign Tongues’, which was released last week.
In the song, Jagger questions who to trust for space travel, asking, “Is it Boeing, is it NASA, is it mad mogul Mr Musk?” Speaking to The New York Times, the musician expressed frustration that critics focused solely on the billionaire’s name. He argued that listeners ignore the broader context of the lyric by assuming it is a straightforward attack.
Jagger explained that the line was intended as a “sidewinding compliment”. He noted that Musk’s enterprises provided the necessary transportation to return stranded astronauts when traditional agencies could not. However, the frontman conceded that the term “mogul” carries negative connotations and “doesn’t always go down well”.
For European investors and regulators, this cultural moment underscores a deeper economic reality. The lyric captures the growing dependence of state-backed programmes on private aerospace contractors, a trend closely watched in Brussels as the European Union seeks to bolster its own sovereign space capabilities.
Musk’s polarising public persona continues to influence brand perception across European markets. While his companies deliver critical infrastructure, the "mad mogul" label reflects lingering consumer and institutional scepticism regarding the concentration of power in single tech executives.
Beyond the lyrical commentary, ‘Foreign Tongues’ marks a prolific period for the band. The record features collaborations with Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, Steve Winwood and Chad Smith, alongside posthumous contributions from late drummer Charlie Watts.
To support the release, the group has launched a six-part podcast series, ‘Speaking In Tongues’, narrated by Norah Jones. Jagger has also praised contemporary artist Sam Fender, hailing his albums ‘People Watching’ and ‘Seventeen Going Under’ as excellent, while describing his recent studio work with McCartney as remarkably straightforward.
