10 Most Perfect Rolling Stones Songs, Ranked

When it comes to longevity in rock and roll, look no further than The Rolling Stones. Active for over six decades, the band is one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era. Rooted in blues and early rock styling, their sound became distinct as they moved further and further into the mainstream. Establishing themselves at the top of the heap of classic rock, their songbook runs deep. With 31 studio albums and more than 340 songs, with eight number-one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, determining which is their best songs is a near-impossible task.

The task at hand is to select The Rolling Stones’ most perfect songs. Let’s just say it’s no easy task. As each fan of the band will likely have a different list, for the purposes of this list, a song will be considered “perfect” based on songwriting, musical construction, overall influence, and its impact on the band’s musical evolution. This list is meant to celebrate one of the greatest bands and their brilliant contribution to music history.

10

“Honky Tonk Women” (1969)

Despite being a hit track, “Honky Tonk Women” sometimes gets overlooked, but the truth is, the song proved the band’s ability to tap into even more musical styles. Inspired by a holiday Mick Jagger and Keith Richards took in Brazil, the duo drew on their experience at a ranch and turned it into a song about a dancing girl in a western bar. Originally written as a Hank Williams-esque country song, Mick Taylor transformed it into the electric, riff-based hit we became familiar with. Originally released as a non-album single, the song was issued as the B-side to “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” the day after the death of founding member Brian Jones in July 1969.

Raw and bluesy, with an invitation to groove when the cowbell begins, the song’s gin-soaked groove and gritty lyrics became an instant hook for listeners. “Honky Tonk Women” soared to the top of the UK charts for seventeen weeks, five at number one, and a four-week number one run on the Billboard Hot 100. Showcasing the band at their funky best, “Honky Tonk Women” also led to a full country version released on the 1969 album Let It Bleed. “Honky Tonk Women” may be the strongest example of ’60s rock-blues.

9

“She’s A Rainbow” (1967)

The 1960s served as a brilliant opportunity for artists to explore and spread their wings. For The Rolling Stones, an uncharacteristically unique song that Jagger and Richards wrote for the band was also one of their best. Closing out their foray into psychedelic pop rock, “She’s A Rainbow” utilized a vibrant blend of baroque pop, a cascading piano line, and a lighthearted atmosphere, crafting a whimsical, joyous, and timeless masterpiece. The crowning element of the song isn’t the lyrics, it’s the arrangement. Though the classic Stones instruments are present, it’s Nicky Hopkins‘ iconic piano melody and Jones’ hypnotic usage of the Mellotran that make the track. And that string section? It’s often credited to John Paul Jones, who would go on to join Led Zeppelin a year later. Released on Their Satanic Majesties Request, the sixth studio album, the song became the most recognizable track of the album.

Music should be transcendent — “She’s A Rainbow” is proof. For a modern audience, the song has been a recent staple in commercials. Further, it became synonymous with Kristen Wiig‘s final sketch as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. Guest host Jagger, alongside musical guest Arcade Fire, performed it alongside “Ruby Tuesday” as the comedian dances and says goodbye to her co-stars. If there is something that will make you cry from the hit sketch show, it’s this. Now, if we’re talking about how a song can influence an entire movement, Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow pride flag, told the New York Blade in 2008 that it was not Judy Garland‘s “Over the Rainbow” but in fact the Stones’ “She’s A Rainbow.”

8

“Tumbling Dice” (1972)

Introduced as the lead single from the 1972 double album Exile on Main St., “Tumbling Dice” brought back the blues with the boogie-woogie for a song about an unfaithful gambler. Written and recorded during the period when the band became UK tax exiles, the song had some filler lyrics and an initially different intention. Though that song, “Good Time Women,” went unreleased until 2010. The song tells the story of a gambler who simply cannot remain faithful to any woman. A dark lyrical premise, the result ultimately led to the peppy, laid-back groove we know today. The tempo lives in a grey area that’s essentially halfway between slow and straightforward rock speed. Then, turning to the lyrical composition, it’s quite an irregular structure, with line counts changing throughout the verses and choruses. But what makes the song so beloved is the call-and-response in the coda, making it perfect for live performance.

An ambitious song, “Tumbling Dice” can be described as sassy with a casual swagger. Dare I say, it’s got “Swagger Jagger.” It’s credited to Jagger’s vocal charisma. Written after the swinging ’60s and the Summer of Love, the song still has a lyrical essence that explores themes of sex and love. About a half-decade later, Linda Ronstadt recorded her own version of the song, bringing a different vitality to it. And not just because the lyrics were adjusted to suit the singer’s mission. Though it had a troubled road to ultimate creation, “Tumbling Dice” remains one of the band’s most iconic entries.

7

“Beast of Burden” (1978)

Oftentimes, when you see the title of a song, you can automatically hear something from it in your head. When it comes to “Beast of Burden,” almost certainly, you hear Jagger’s soulful vocals singing the title. A vulnerable and raw rock anthem, “Beast of Burden” showcased an evolving maturity from the band. It also helped to establish and further the sound of rock and roll in the late ’70s. The second single off of 1978’s Some Girls, following “Miss You,” the song wasn’t meant to be a personal track; it was all about the attitude and hidden meaning. Taking inspiration from domesticated animals used for human labor, Richards has noted that the song was written as a thank-you to Jagger for “shouldering the burden.”

“Beast of Burden” features a masterful weave of soulful, understated guitar from Richards and Ronnie Wood, a steady groove from Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman, and Jagger’s intimate and controlled vocals, some of which were improvised. The Rolling Stones experienced internal turmoil in the ’70s, but “Beast of Burden” represented a moment of the band’s unity. One that marked a newfound comeback for the band.

6

“Wild Horses” (1971)

There are certainly a handful of Rolling Stones ballads that strike at the heart, but none do so quite like “Wild Horses.” The follow-up single to “Brown Sugar” from the ninth studio album, Sticky Fingers, “Wild Horses” exposed a softer side to the band. A beautifully emotional track that highlights raw vulnerability, “Wild Horses” is a song about longing and endurance. The origin of the song came about after Marianne Faithfull, Jagger’s former partner, woke from an overdose. She said to him, “Wild horses wouldn’t drag me away.” Though the song may not have necessarily been written about her, it was inspired by her. Soon thereafter, it evolved into a song about being a million miles from where you wish to be.

Musically, Richards used the melody as a lullaby for his newborn son. Richards experimented with the twelve-string guitar. Taylor played with a Nashville-strung acoustic guitar. Wyman stayed on the bass guitar. With Jim Dickinson playing tack piano and Watts on drums, the musical roadmap was set, turning “Wild Horses” into an acoustic masterpiece. It was stylistically different from many of the classic Stones’ previous tracks, which helped it earn instant recognition. The change of pace allowed the band to take a newfound direction. They no longer had to stick to pulse-pounding rock and roll. Because of its timelessness, “Wild Horses” is often cited as a fan favorite. A delicate and intimate song that continues to resonate emotionally, “Wild Horses” is just as powerful five decades later.

5

“Sympathy for the Devil” (1968)

“Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a man of wealth and taste. I’ve been around for a long, long year, stole many a man’s soul and faith.” Pair that with the infectious conga groove at the top of the track, and you get something hypnotizing. “Sympathy for the Devil” was a musical departure for the band, and yet it defined their ability to explore musical experimentation. Taking on a first-person perspective through the eyes of the Devil, the narrative was quite sinister. And yet, that samba-like rhythm transports you, asking you to pay attention to the specificity in the lyrics, focusing on atrocities in human history. The album version, clocking in at over six minutes, pushed the Stones into a new musical era.

“Sympathy for the Devil” caused quite a stir when it was released. Whether it be the accusations of Satanism or that humanity is responsible for evil in the world, including the assassinations of the Kennedys, it doesn’t take away from the sheer brilliance of the composition. Structurally masterful, with nods to African and South American sounds and a gripping “woo-woo” vocal chant, there was no song in the catalog quite like “Sympathy for the Devil.” Very few classic rock songs have a musical break as visceral as that of “Sympathy for the Devil.” That searing guitar solo by Richards may be his best. Fortunately, much of the creation process was captured for Jean-Luc Godard‘s avant-garde film of the same name.

Music that is reactionary to the time often leads to remarkable works of art. In the late ’60s, many singers, songwriters, and musicians found themselves using their talents to help art reflect society. One such example, as a means to comment on the intense social upheaval of 1968 and the broader chaos, was the brilliant “Sympathy for the Devil.” It was referenced in Hunter S. Thompson‘s book and film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Decades later, Guns N’ Roses explored their own take of the track, being featured in the film adaptation of Interview with the Vampire. Needless to say, “Sympathy for the Devil” stands as the band’s most profound artistic achievement.

4

“Paint It, Black” (1966)

When you think of rock music in the ’60s and ’70s, you tend to think of the typical instruments. But can you achieve rock-and-roll success by playing a sitar? It’s a resounding yes. With a groundbreaking fusion of Eastern-influenced sitar with Hammond organ, castanets, and tom-toms, “Paint It, Black” became a chart-topping smash, serving as a reminder that unconventional instrumentation can be a recipe for success. The British Invasion set a standard in sound for the bands that crossed the pond. But as the big acts began to become more musically sophisticated, big risks led to big rewards. An influential song for the burgeoning psychedelic genre, “The Rolling Stones” joined The Beatles in pushing commercial appeal toward artistry outside the mainstream.

From the jump, the track’s introduction became instantly recognizable. From there, the eerie, exotic use of Jones’ sitar made a perfect addition to the song about grief. “Paint It, Black”is, on its surface, a depressing premise about the desire to turn the whole world black to match internal sorrow. And yet, the experimental nature, with its tight structure, added a cinematic element to the song. By straying from the standard pop-rock vibes synonymous with the band, “Paint It, Black” opened the door for new paths to explore. On one of the rare occasions when each member of the band added something to the track, it gave the track a sense of further completion. The song’s vibrancy has inspired countless artists to cover it and many films to include it on their soundtracks. Maybe an unofficial pioneer in emo punk rock, The Rolling Stones found the light by tackling the darkness.

3

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)

There is no hook in rock history that matches that of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” A song about sexual frustration and commercialism, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” became one of the band’s most popular songs. The song came to Richards in his sleep, as in he really wrote it, recorded a rough cut, and awoke unaware that he did. With the iconic guitar riff kicking off the track, what followed was a cascade of sound before Jagger came in with the titular line. The song featured a hard-driving blues beat that paired well with the rock sounds already familiar to listeners. It had a catchy hook with a catchy title and captured the spirit of the time. Though the song had difficulty being played on the radio because of its allegedly suggestive lyrics, it didn’t matter, as those lyrics resonated instantly. It thrust the band to superstardom.

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” became a staple for the Stones, especially during live performances. It made sense as the song hit number one in many countries on multiple charts. In a sense, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is a generational song. Otis Redding recorded a version of it that went full-tilt jazzy blues. In the late ’70s, new wave band Devo provided their own rendition. Then, at the start of the new millennium, it was Britney Spears. This may be a stretch, but there may be an entire generation that found The Rolling Stones and classic rock through Spears’ cover of the song. The fact that the princess of pop could reconstruct rock royalty’s song in such a brilliant manner is a testament to the strength of the track.

2

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (1969)

Sometimes simplicity is all it takes. Truly, what a profound statement the lyrics made. “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well, you might find you get what you need.” The chorus became a mantra that continues to resonate today. Straight from Let It Bleed, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” proved to be one of the most defining songs the band ever recorded. Unlike almost any other Stones song, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” didn’t start with a guitar riff or Jagger’s signature vocals. Instead, it was the London Bach Choir and the soaring horns opening the track on the album. Not there to cover anything up, rather they were present to add something new.

A song about the major topics of the 1960s— love, politics, and drugs—the lyrics take the audience on a journey from initial optimism to eventual disillusionment. Though the chorus may be resigned cynicism, there was hope within. Originally, the B-side for “Honky Tonk Women,” there was no second fiddle about it. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” remains one of the most popular songs. Said to be a counterpart to “Hey Jude,” the song shared the Stones’ maturity through their philosophical words. The song is timeless, having been covered nonstop and used in a wide range of media. If there was ever a song that marked the end of the Swinging Sixties, it was this song.

1

“Gimme Shelter” (1969)

A sense of urgency and a dire warning in music don’t always need to come from a deeply poetic dissertation in lyrics. Sometimes all it takes is repetition to make a message poignant. With an ominous, moody tone, “Gimme Shelter” expertly conveys intent. Starting from a whisper and crescendoing to a frantic cacophony of controlled vocals, “Gimme Shelter” evoked a sense of panic. The lyrics, which reiterated the main words throughout, became a reflection of war, violence, and fear while marking the closure of ’60s idealism. Encapsulating the doomed decade, the song is a complete masterpiece. What may be a shocker: the song, which was never released as an official single, found prominence when it was included on many of the band’s compilation albums.

At its core, “Gimme Shelter” is an apocalyptic song. With the lyrics evoking that tone, “Gimme Shelter” relied on the vocals. Jagger isn’t the only prominent vocalist on the track. Singer Merry Clayton‘s guest vocals helped launch the song to the stratosphere. Her vocals reached immense emotional peaks, amplifying the desperation of the song’s message. Jagger spoke to NPR and called the song “a very moody piece about the world closing in on you a bit. And yet, that same feeling can be evoked today. There’s no song that defines the band while transcending music more than “Gimme Music.” It’s an anthem for the world.