What does "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" mean?

Solution 1:

The reason you were told it’s a mistake is because it is a usage found in dispreferred dialects. Similar to use of ain’t, double negation—also known as negative concord—is quite common in many dialects of English, but it is not part of any formal register of English—that is to say, it is not a feature of the standard English taught in schools. Negative concord is a feature of the standard dialect of many languages, such as Spanish—just not standard English.

“I can’t get no satisfaction” in formal standard English would be “I can’t get any satisfaction” or “I can get no satisfaction”. However, it’s important to note that although formal modern English does not have a negative concord rule, such a rule is not inherently “illogical”, as many commenters who try to explain English’s rule claim.

Here is a post on Language Log about “overnegation”.

Solution 2:

OK, since the lyrics are so hard to understand, I've translated them into standard English for you:

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try

I repeatedly endeavour to fulfil my desires, but fail.

When I'm drivin' in my car
And a man comes on the radio
He's telling me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination

I was listening to the radio while driving my car. The information given by the radio presenter was neither useful nor interesting to me.

When I'm watchin' my TV
And a man comes on to tell me
How white my shirts can be
But he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke
The same cigarettes as me

I was watching a TV commercial for detergent. The presenter of the commercial did not live up to my ideals of masculinity because of his choice of tobacco brand.

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no girlie action
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no

I am unable to form relationships with the opposite sex, despite my best efforts.

When I'm ridin' round the world
And I'm doin' this and I'm signing that
And I'm tryin' to make some girl
Who tells me baby better come back later next week
Cause you see I'm on a losing streak

I travel around the world taking part in various activities. During these travels, I attempted to form a friendship with a woman, but she rejected me, making an excuse.