"Street Fighting Man" delves into ambiguous and controversial lyrics about armed revolution, inspired by the growing violence at political events in 1968. While the final version of the song features Indian musical elements, the melody was influenced by the sound of police sirens, and the music was mostly written on an acoustic guitar with a distinctive distorted sound. This track showcases Brian Jones' significant contribution to the band's sound, as it was one of the final songs where he played a major role in the arrangement. At its heart, it plays like a raw and urgent commentary on social unrest.