The Genius of Keith Richards: Feel, Rhythm, and Why Less Is More
I listen to a lot of music in my office. Patients know it. Staff knows it. Music isn’t background noise for me—it’s part of who I am. I’m a musician, and a lot of my identity is tied to sound, rhythm, and feel.
Every now and then, I like to take a break from anatomy and talk about something that feeds the same part of the brain: music done right.
And when it comes to that, few people embody it better than Keith Richards.
Not Flashy. Not Fancy. Timeless.
Keith Richards is often misunderstood. People talk about the lifestyle, the longevity, the legend—but they miss the real point.
Keith isn’t a “guitar hero” in the traditional sense. He’s not fast. He’s not technical in a flashy way. He doesn’t play a million notes.
What he has is feel.
And feel can’t be taught.
Rhythm Is the Engine
Keith Richards is a rhythm guitarist at heart—and that’s where the genius lives. He understands something many musicians never fully grasp:
Rhythm is everything.
Melody floats on top, but rhythm is what makes people move. It’s what makes a song feel inevitable. When Keith locks into a groove, the song doesn’t just play—it rolls.
Listen closely and you’ll notice something:
The Rolling Stones don’t rush.
They don’t overplay.
They sit in the pocket.
That takes restraint. And confidence.
The Power of Restraint
One of the most impressive things about Keith Richards is what he doesn’t play.
He leaves space.
He trusts the groove.
He lets the song breathe.
That kind of discipline is rare. It’s the musical equivalent of knowing when to step back and let things work naturally instead of forcing them.
There’s a lesson there that applies far beyond music.
Five Strings, Infinite Possibility
Keith is famous for playing guitar in open tunings—often removing the low string entirely. Five strings. Fewer notes. Less clutter.
Instead of limitation, he found freedom.
By simplifying the instrument, he focused on:
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Tone
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Timing
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Groove
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Interaction with the band
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t adding more—it’s stripping things down to what actually matters.
Why His Playing Still Works
Decades later, Keith Richards’ guitar parts still sound fresh because they’re built on fundamentals, not trends.
Feel doesn’t age.
Groove doesn’t expire.
You don’t need to understand music theory to respond to it. Your body knows. Your nervous system knows. You tap your foot before your brain catches up.
That’s real connection.
Music, Movement, and Identity
As a chiropractor, I spend my days thinking about movement, rhythm, and balance—whether I’m consciously trying to or not. Music taps into the same systems.
Good rhythm feels right because it is right.
Good movement works the same way.
When things are aligned, when the timing is right, when there’s no unnecessary tension, everything flows better.
Keith Richards understands that instinctively.
Why This Matters (Even in a Chiropractic Office)
Patients sometimes ask why I play so much music. The answer is simple:
Music reminds us that life isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about expression, rhythm, and feeling good in your body and your head.
A great song can relax you.
A great groove can reset your nervous system.
A great player can remind you that perfection isn’t the goal—connection is.
Keith Richards has spent a lifetime proving that.
Final Thoughts
The genius of Keith Richards isn’t technical wizardry or speed. It’s feel, restraint, rhythm, and trust in simplicity.
He plays what the song needs—no more, no less.
That kind of wisdom applies everywhere: music, movement, work, and life. Sometimes doing less, but doing it well, is the most powerful thing you can do.
So here’s a little musical detour between conversations about backs and necks. If you hear the Stones playing in the office, now you know why.
Some things just groove—and when they do, you let them play.
Thank God for Keef!