In this thread I rank my favorite Rolling Stones songs: 204-1: Four Musketeers Get Their Ya-Yas Out (1 Viewer)

[Dr. Octopus]

Love this.  (Yes, I'm catching up on 2+ weeks' worth but promise not to Hipple much.)  It's cracking me up.  

I’m ok with hippling - it could always respark some conversation.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

It's so interesting to me that you posted this.  I clicked on that video and instantly was hit with what I thought of as a form of PTSD.  Not trying to minimize the real PTSD, but just describing my visceral reaction.  But I realized right away that these videos were just about my first introduction to the Stones, and I found them so troubling and creepy as a youngster.  I have the same reaction to Start Me Up and the associated video.  I can't even gauge whether these are good songs, because I have such a strong negative reaction.  Probably best for me not to analyze why too much, but I think it explains some of my feelings toward the band, and you are spot on in this regard.

I'm finding quite a few I like in the thread and really appreciate Dr.'s time on this, but I don't think I could ever enjoy these particular songs.

This is a great great post. 

It describes so well what you feel, I feel it. 

 

[krista4]

155. Blue Turns to Grey

Year: 1965

US Album: December’s Children (And Everybody’s)

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards (originally credited to Richards/Oldham)

“So now that she is gone
You won't be sad for long
For maybe just an hour or just a moment
Of the day”

This song was recorded by three different artists, **** and Dee Dee, The Mighty Avengers, and Tracey Day, before the Stones released it on their December’s Children album. However it was the Cliff Richard and the Shadows version in 1966 that became the biggest hit. Cliff Richard was so popular in England for a time that Keith Richards started going by “Keith Richard” for a brief time.

This is another song that only features the five members playing and was a different direction for the band at the time. It’s more soul/pop or even folk-rock than the blues or rock and roll that dominated their early catalogue.

I just wanted to compliment you on the title coloring here.

Nice song, too.

 

[krista4]

remember them debuting this on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert (or was it the Midnight Special?) ... anyways, Mick came creepin' out the fog, all glammed up - was a graveyard set straight outta "Plan 9 From Outer Space" 

think they also did "Angie" later on - really gorgeous rendition  seem to remember roses on Mick and Keef's acoustics ..

but, yeah ... the "DWMr.D" opening was quite the sight back then. 

He looks like Frank N. Furter in the video.

 

[krista4]

149. Money

Year: 1964

US Album: More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies)

Songwriter: Janie Bradford/Berry Gordy

The Stones cover this Motown classic and do a great job. The Stones make it dirtier and heavier than all previous versions. The Beatles also covered this song (clearly inferior version) so we could do an apples to apples comparison to help settle the great debate. :cough: :cough: easy decision.

Bill crushes it on this song.

Oh good god no.

Btw, sorry but I guess I'm Hippling after all.  I am actually holding back on some comments, though it might not be evident.

 

[krista4]

135. Slipping Away

Year: 1989

US Album: Steel Wheels

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

134. Thru and Thru

Year: 1994

US Album: Voodoo Lounge

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

These two songs follow the pattern of most post-1985 Keith songs. Slow ballads which are talk-sung in the verses and sing-songy repetitive chants as choruses.

There’s a nice brass section on Slipping away and some stellar bass work by Bill. It’s a beautiful if uninspired song. Mick does a bang up job injecting a vocal bridge in the middle.

Thru and Thru, which may be best known for ending season 2 of the Sopranos, has a nice payoff after a slow start.

My biggest take-away so far is that I really like Keith's voice.  I know it's not good...but I like it.

 

[krista4]

131. My Obsession

Year: 1967

US Album: Between the Buttons

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

“My obsession
Your possessions
Every piece that I can get
My obsessions are
Your possessions
My mouth is soaking wet
I think I blew it now, confession

Can't dodge it, it's simple logic
You'd be better off with me and you'll know it
When you lost it, lonely”

It’s a Charlie and Bill Showcase!!

I mentioned earlier how Brian had almost completely abandoned the guitar by this point. He only plays it on one song on this record. This is the only song where he does not play at all however.

If you can believe YouTube comments (and I don’t want to live in a world where you can’t) this is Brian Wilson’s favorite Rolling Stones song. There is a lot going on sonically so I can buy that.

WOW, this one is fascinating.  There's so much going on here, so many layers.  Needs many more listens for me to take it all in.  Probably my favorite so far.  And Charlie is almost as good as Ringo here.  

 

[krista4]

Hipple away mate. 

I will take the blame. 

That's a good song. Are you starting to love Mick's voice yet? 

Don't worry, you eventually will. 

Hell no.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

125. Short and Curlies

Year: 1974

US Album: It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

“It's too bad, she's got you by the balls
You can't break loose at all
She's got your name
She's got your number
You're screamin' like thunder
And you're trapped like a rat in a hole”

A playful country blues tune about a #####-whipped young man. Some great guitar work by Mick Taylor highlights this one along with Stu’s solid boogie woogie piano licks.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

124. Salt of the Earth

Year: 1968

US Album: Beggars Banquet

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

This is the final song from the 1968 Rolling Stones album Beggars Banquet. The song includes an opening lead vocal by Richards. It is the second official track by the group to feature him on lead vocal (first one is still to come).

Salt of the Earth" features the acoustic work of Richards, typical of most songs from Beggars Banquet. Richards also performs the slide guitar throughout the song (Brian Jones, who often played slide on previous songs, was absent from these sessions).

The song sings the praises and acknowledges the plight of the working man. The song uses a quote that refers to a passage in the Bible where Jesus is trying to encourage people to give the best of themselves

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned ? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men – Matthew 5:13

Full lyrics:

“Let's drink to the hard working people Let's drink to the lowly of birth Raise your glass to the good and the evil Let's drink to the salt of the earth Say a prayer for the common foot soldier Spare a thought for his back breaking work Say a prayer for his wife and his children Who burn the fires and who still till the earth And when I search a faceless crowd A swirling mass of gray and Black and white They don't look real to me In fact, they look so strange Raise your glass to the hard working people Let's drink to the uncounted heads Let's think of the wavering millions Who need leading but get gamblers instead Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter Empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows And a parade of the gray suited grafters A choice of cancer or polio And when I look in the faceless crowd A swirling mass of grays and Black and white They don't look real to me Or don't they look so strange Let's drink to the hard working people Let's think of the lowly of birth Spare a thought for the rag taggy people Let's drink to the salt of the earth Let's drink to the hard working people Let's drink to the salt of the earth Let's drink to the two thousand million Let's think of the humble of birth”

 

[otb_lifer]

went searching for the "Salt of the Earth" performance vid from Rock n' Roll Circus, but no dice   damnit, it's a really great vid -

this one would also make my top 20 - they just sound like the perfect outfit to toss that bone to the punters - it's a gritty arrangement, one of their finest. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

went serarching for the "Salt of the Earth" performance vid from Rock n' Roll Circus, but no dice   damnit, it's a really great vid -

this one would also make my top 20 - they just sound like the perfect outfit to toss that bone to the punters - it's a gritty arrangement, one of their finest. 

Surprising. I have the DVD of the entire show. It's simply amazing between the Stones, Jethro Tull, The Who, the Dirty Mac and all the in-between "skits".

 

[otb_lifer]

Surprising. I have the DVD of the entire show. It's simply amazing between the Stones, Jethro Tull, The Who, the Dirty Mac and all the in-between "skits".

BEATS THE LIVIN' #### OUTTA BOTH "MMT" & "LET IT BE" - score one (two?) for the Stones here 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

123. Little T&A

Year: 1981

US Album: Tattoo You

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards
 

From wiki:

Credited to usual Stones scribes Mick Jagger and Richards, "Little T&A" was largely a Richards composition. He originally began writing the song in the early months of 1979 with the intention of having the song featured on 1980s Emotional Rescue. Left off that album it re-emerged for Tattoo You two years later. The band began reworking the track in mid-1981.

The song is a straightforward rocker, although Richards claims to have been influenced by rockabilly in his guitar performance. The song opens with a trademark riff from Richards, who plays bass and electric guitar along with Ronnie Wood. Ian Stewart performs on piano for the song and Jagger provides backing vocals along with Richards and Wood. Charlie Watts plays drums.

The lyrics of "Little T&A" were described by Richards at the time as being about, "...every good time I've had with somebody I'd met for a night or two and never seen again. And also about the #### that sometimes goes down when you just sort of bump into people unknowingly, and not knowing the scene you're walking in on, you know? You pick up a chick and end up spending the night in the tank, you know?"[1] The lyrics see Richards bemoan that lifestyle:

"The heat's raiding, the tracks is fading/Joint's rocking, could be anytime at all/But the ##### keep #####ing, the snitcher keeps snitching/Dropping names and telephone numbers and all, well."

The song has a distinctive ending featuring a breakdown of song's riff and beat. While the title of the song is never sung, a frequently repeated chorus: "She's my little rock & roll/My #### and ### with soul, baby" is featured throughout.

The song played on the soundtrack of the 2012 movie Argo which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2013. The inclusion of the track was anachronistic in that the movie was set in 1979-1980, which predates the recording of this track.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

It's so interesting to me that you posted this.  I clicked on that video and instantly was hit with what I thought of as a form of PTSD.  Not trying to minimize the real PTSD, but just describing my visceral reaction.  But I realized right away that these videos were just about my first introduction to the Stones, and I found them so troubling and creepy as a youngster.  I have the same reaction to Start Me Up and the associated video.  I can't even gauge whether these are good songs, because I have such a strong negative reaction.  Probably best for me not to analyze why too much, but I think it explains some of my feelings toward the band, and you are spot on in this regard.

I'm finding quite a few I like in the thread and really appreciate Dr.'s time on this, but I don't think I could ever enjoy these particular songs.

The "funny" part is as old as they seemed in that video when we were younger, Mick was only 38/39 at the time. They were considered "old" in their 40s during their run in the 1980s, and now they're still going strong in their 70s..

I liked the videos because by that time I was deep into my Stones fandom (which started in the sixth grade) so the mugging and posturing to me was them having fun.

 

[otb_lifer]

The "funny" part is as old as they seemed in that video when we were younger, Mick was only 38/39 at the time. The were "old" in their 40s during their run in the 80s, and now they're still going.

I liked the videos because by that time I was deep into my Stones fandom (which started in the sixth grade) so the mugging and posturing to me was them having fun.

im'ma have to agree wif the good Doctopus here ... the Brits call it "taking the piss" - best ever example was Charlie in "It's Only Rock n' Roll" during the suds soaking - 

 

[zamboni]

went searching for the "Salt of the Earth" performance vid from Rock n' Roll Circus, but no dice   damnit, it's a really great vid -

this one would also make my top 20 - they just sound like the perfect outfit to toss that bone to the punters - it's a gritty arrangement, one of their finest. 

I agree on Salt - a top song for me, but to each his/her own.

Here's the performance from R&R Circus: https://uploadstars.com/video/8WM58XXGU1AM

 

[otb_lifer]

I agree on Salt - a top song for me, but to each his/her own.

Here's the video from R&R Circus: https://uploadstars.com/video/8WM58XXGU1AM

absolutely surreal, love it

 

[krista4]

BEATS THE LIVIN' #### OUTTA BOTH "MMT" & "LET IT BE" - score one (two?) for the Stones here 

Dumb comparison.

 

[otb_lifer]

Dumb comparison.

ssshhhh, it was kinda/sorta meant in a shticky way, as evidenced by my shouting 

 

[wikkidpissah]

124. Salt of the Earth

Year: 1968

US Album: Beggars Banquet

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

This is the final song from the 1968 Rolling Stones album Beggars Banquet. The song includes an opening lead vocal by Richards. It is the second official track by the group to feature him on lead vocal (first one is still to come).

Salt of the Earth" features the acoustic work of Richards, typical of most songs from Beggars Banquet. Richards also performs the slide guitar throughout the song (Brian Jones, who often played slide on previous songs, was absent from these sessions).

The song sings the praises and acknowledges the plight of the working man. The song uses a quote that refers to a passage in the Bible where Jesus is trying to encourage people to give the best of themselves

Full lyrics:

“Let's drink to the hard working people Let's drink to the lowly of birth Raise your glass to the good and the evil Let's drink to the salt of the earth Say a prayer for the common foot soldier Spare a thought for his back breaking work Say a prayer for his wife and his children Who burn the fires and who still till the earth And when I search a faceless crowd A swirling mass of gray and Black and white They don't look real to me In fact, they look so strange Raise your glass to the hard working people Let's drink to the uncounted heads Let's think of the wavering millions Who need leading but get gamblers instead Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter Empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows And a parade of the gray suited grafters A choice of cancer or polio And when I look in the faceless crowd A swirling mass of grays and Black and white They don't look real to me Or don't they look so strange Let's drink to the hard working people Let's think of the lowly of birth Spare a thought for the rag taggy people Let's drink to the salt of the earth Let's drink to the hard working people Let's drink to the salt of the earth Let's drink to the two thousand million Let's think of the humble of birth”

Would it were that hiphop embraced this sensibility (and jazz) instead of the wound-licking braggadocio they did. 21C might actually have some music to be proud of...

125. Short and Curlies

123. Little T&A

However, we will have hiphop to thank for keeping li'l treasures like these off the #metoo trashheap

 

[krista4]

ssshhhh, it was kinda/sorta meant in a shticky way, as evidenced by my shouting 

How are you progressing on the Beatles thread?

 

[otb_lifer]

How are you progressing on the Beatles thread?

wonderfully so, ty for asking - i need to be Hippling a ton more over there - have a ringing endorsement from one of my thrash idols re: "Hold Me Tight" being the birth of a legendary career which i gotta drop in your thread ...

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I agree on Salt - a top song for me, but to each his/her own.

At this point there is a pretty razor thin separation in a large block of the rankings. I love this song - but can't put it into my top 20 (what would I bump out?) but I probably should have had it top 100.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

122. You Better Move On

Year: 1964

US Album: December’s Children (And Everybody’s)

Songwriter: Arthur Alexander

This is a cover of a 1961 rhythm and blues song written and recorded by Arthur Alexander and covered by Bobby Vee and the Hollies as well as the Stones.

This is just the five original members on the recording with Brian and Bill singing backup to Mick. Mick gives a particularly soulful performance here. I’ve always loved this song for whatever reason and may be the one I belt out in private the most.

 

[otb_lifer]

At this point there is a pretty razor thin separation in a large block of the rankings. I love this song - but can't put it into my top 20 (what would I bump out?) but I probably should have had it top 100.

rankings are inherently highly subjective, especially with a catalogue this deep and textured ... 

but i still say top 20 

 

[wikkidpissah]

122. You Better Move On

Year: 1964

US Album: December’s Children (And Everybody’s)

Songwriter: Arthur Alexander

This is a cover of a 1961 rhythm and blues song written and recorded by Arthur Alexander and covered by Bobby Vee and the Hollies as well as the Stones.

This is just the five original members on the recording with Brian and Bill singing backup to Mick. Mick gives a particularly soulful performance here. I’ve always loved this song for whatever reason and may be the one I belt out in private the most.

building yourself another couch, boyo

there is ONE post-1980 Stones song that's the equal of this, so i fear you gonna need more'n an emotional rescue

this and a certain Buddy Holly song w a Bo Diddley are the songs that announced The Stones as a factor and made us wanna await their bustout from the blues. cant be outside Top 50 historically or musically

 

[ffldrew]

Slipping Away and Salt of the Earth are way up in my rankings 

This version of Slipping Away is the one to listen to from Stripped - just a effing beautiful song - One of Keith's best. Perfect timing with his voice.

https://youtu.be/DmyqTXKRzmk

And Salt is incredible as well 

Just my .02 cents - a lot of these covers belong at the back - waaaaay in the back- well after Ventilator Blues, Let It Loose, etc.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

121. Laugh, I Nearly Died

Year: 2005

US Album: A Bigger Bang

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

“I've been down to India, but it froze my bones
I'm living for the city, but I'm all alone
I've been traveling, but I don't know where
I've been wandering, but I just don't care

I hate to be denied
How you hurt my pride
I feel pushed aside
But laugh, laugh, laugh, I nearly died”

As big a fan as I am of this band, I’ll fully admit most of their post 1990 stuff is pretty bad, especially in light of what came before it – but that’s natural with aging rock stars. Most of the exceptions have already been listed in this ranking list but 3 more are still coming with only one creeping into the top 100.

A Bigger Bang, which was co-produced by Don Was, is not really necessarily an exception to the post 1990 output critique. However, after this song, songs from it will make two more appearances upcoming, as it had a handful of songs that I really liked (and many that I would not mind never hearing again as well).

This song sounds modern on one level but also has one foot in their blues roots. Mick sells this one really well and the backing musicians are right there with him.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

rankings are inherently highly subjective, especially with a catalogue this deep and textured ... 

but i still say top 20 

I have no qualms with that. It's an exceptional song. Honestly it should have been higher, but after a certain point I had to stop tweaking the list or I'd go crazy.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

building yourself another couch, boyo

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Slipping Away and Salt of the Earth are way up in my rankings 

This version of Slipping Away is the one to listen to from Stripped - just a effing beautiful song - One of Keith's best. Perfect timing with his voice.

https://youtu.be/DmyqTXKRzmk

And Salt is incredible as well 

Just my .02 cents - a lot of these covers belong at the back - waaaaay in the back- well after Ventilator Blues, Let It Loose, etc.

I love the Stripped record but did not include anything from it since it was just a reworking of songs they already did (I also did not include any live songs outside of "Mannish Boy" and half of Stripped is live).

ETA: I'm willing to bite the bullet and admit I screwed up on "Salt of the Earth". But at least anyone that is unfamiliar with it got to hear it and that's my top priority here.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

120. Stoned

Year: 1963

US Album: Singles Collection: The London Years

Songwriter: Nanker Phelge (Jagger/Richards/Jones/Watts/Wyman/Stewart)

“Outta My Mind”

This mostly instrumental song highlights the great Ian Stewart on piano and Brian Jones blowing some mean harp. It was originally a B side in the UK, to a song the Beatles wrote for the Stones, and was written by the entire band, under the Nanker Phelge pseudonym. It sounds a little bit (maybe too much) like Green Onions by Booker T. & the M.G.s  with a few spacey vocal lines by Mick.

It was released as a single in the US but was quickly taken off the market for “moral” reasons – you know because smoking pot is very evil.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

119. Undercover of the Night

Year: 1983

US Album: Undercover

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

from wiki:
 

The song was largely a Mick Jagger composition, with guitarist Keith Richards going as far as saying, "Mick had this one all mapped out, I just played on it".[1] Jagger later said that the song "was heavily influenced by William Burroughs’ ‘Cities of the Red Night,’ a free-wheeling novel about political and sexual repression. It combines a number of different references to what was going down in Argentina and Chile."[1] The song was likely written in Paris in late 1982, where recording began on the album.

In 2003, guitarist Ronnie Wood described the fractious writing as "just me, Mick and Charlie [Watts]... [We] took it up into some wonderful adventures with all these different changes... There was a great percussive and acoustic version, which is the kind of song it should be. The final polished, glossed-up version may have been Mick's vision of the song..."

The lyrics see Jagger explore the then-ongoing political corruption in Central and South America:

"All the young men, they've been rounded up;
And sent to camps back in the jungle;
And people whisper, people double-talk;
Once proud fathers act so humble."

"Undercover of the Night" is one of the few songs by the Rolling Stones which overtly explore political ideas.[citation needed]

Recording began in early 1983 and was resumed later that summer at New York City's famed Hit Factory. There are two versions of this song, one featuring usual Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman and the other featuring guest Robbie Shakespeare. The song features Sly Dunbar, Martin Ditcham, Moustapha Cisse and Brahms Coundoul, on various instruments ranging from bongos to timpani. Organ on the piece is performed by Chuck Leavell, who later became the Rolling Stones' regular pianist.

This one may not be a popular choice, but always liked the exotic nature of it and in 1983 the Stones were still relevant and this song/video was a staple of MTV. Keith is given the part he was born to play in the video, complete with skull mask.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

118. Jiving Sister Fanny

Year: 1975

US Album: Metamorphosis

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

This song is a Mick Taylor showcase, which is good enough for me. ‘nufced

 

[Dr. Octopus]

117. No Expectations

Year: 1968

US Album: Beggars Banquet

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

Brian Jones slide guitar on this song is one of his last major contributions to the band as he was too messed up with drugs and alcohol to do much of anything on their next record, Let It Bleed. It’s a beautiful reminder to how talented he was.

This slow country blues ballad has a beautiful simplicity with Keith on acoustic guitar and Charlie Watts keeping the beat on a percussion instrument. Mick sounds fantastic on this one in my opinion and the lyrics expresses the desolation of loneliness in a way that’s seldom been matched.

“Take me to the station
Put me on a train
I've got no expectations
To pass through here again
Once I was a rich man
Now I am so poor
But never in my sweet short life
Have I felt like this before
Your heart is like a diamond
You throw your pearls to swine

And as I watch you leaving me
You pack my peace of mind
Our love was like the water
That splashes on a stone
Our love was like our music
Its here, and then its gone
So take me to the airport
And put me on a plane
I got no expectations
To pass through here again”

 

[Dr. Octopus]

And Charlie is almost as good as Ringo here.  

I'm a big Ringo guy so I can let this one pass. They both were the non-flashy glue that helped keep their bands together and never got/get the credit they deserve.

When I was in college I worked part time in a record store and there was another guy that worked there that was a jazz drummer. We had Charlie Watts Quintet's tribute record to Charlie Bird Parker A Tribute to Charlie Parker with Strings playing in the store once and this guy nearly fell out of his chair and kept repeating "Damn Charlie is tight. He's so damn in the pocket."

 

[wikkidpissah]

there is ONE post-1980 Stones song that's the equal of this

119. Undercover of the Night

 THIS IS IT!!!

Because it lacks personal significance, it may not be in my Stones Top Ten but, purely as a rock song, it belongs there and there is not a band besides Beatles/Stones where this track would not be top ten (except possibly Joan Baez, but that's just for fit). This is right with Welcome to the Jungle, 1999, Synchronicity II and Sunday, Bloody Sunday as my favorite 80s rock song. Every aspect works.

i think i might have to quit following this countdown while i still respect you.....

 

[Dr. Octopus]

i think i might have to quit following this countdown while i still respect you.....

Oh, I think you'll find a lot of great songs in my top 100.

and some stinkers

 

[wikkidpissah]

Alfred, to the wikkidcave to fashion a rotten tomato launcher!!

 

[otb_lifer]

117. No Expectations

Year: 1968

US Album: Beggars Banquet

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

Brian Jones slide guitar on this song is one of his last major contributions to the band as he was too messed up with drugs and alcohol to do much of anything on their next record, Let It Bleed. It’s a beautiful reminder to just how talented he was

Jonesy bias on my sleeve notwithstanding- this merirs a top fitty look, imo ... one of my favorite Mick vocals, and a damn fine set of lyrics. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jonesy bias on my sleeve notwithstanding- this merirs a top fitty look, imo ... one of my favorite Mick vocals, and a damn fine set of lyrics. 

You know as I was listening to it while working on my write up I thought the same thing. It should have at least cracked the top 100 - the top 50 is really jam packed with greatness.

 

[otb_lifer]

You know as I was listening to it while working on my write up I thought the same thing. It should have at least cracked the top 100 - the top 50 is really jam packed with greatness.

i hear ya, man ... and it's gonna get awfully crowded with top shelf tracks real soon, but, for my money, i'd toss at least 4 outta the top 50 that i foresee coming - ergo, shoehorning this and "Salt" up into higher strata would be most doable for me. 

i'll cross those bridges when you lay 'em down. 

 

[zamboni]

119. Undercover of the Night

Year: 1983

US Album: Undercover

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

This one may not be a popular choice, but always liked the exotic nature of it and in 1983 the Stones were still relevant and this song/video was a staple of MTV. Keith is given the part he was born to play in the video, complete with skull mask.

Yeah, that video was all over MTV at the time. I also thought it was a cool tune and video, but also recall concern that this this was not going to be to the same Stones any more - and not in a good way.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

116. Country Honk

Year: 1969

US Album: Let it Bleed

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

“She blew my nose and then she blew my mind.”

Although this song was released on Let It Bleed five months after “Honky Tonk Women” was released as a single, according to Keith Richards the country arrangement was how they always envisioned the song.

The fiddle part played by Gram Parsons associate Byron Berline was recorded on the street outside of the recording studio to add “ambiance”, although the car horn was staged by the Rolling Stones tour manager, Sam Cutler. Mick Taylor who was not an official member of the band yet, as Brian Jones was still in the group but seldom showed up for recording sessions, plays the slide guitar on this one and Nanette Workman sings backup.  

Bonus version: Mick and Keith in dressing room

 

[Dr. Octopus]

115. Stupid Girl

Year: 1966

US Album: Aftermath

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

From wiki:
 

Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Stupid Girl" is noted for its apparently degrading lyrics towards women, a claim also made about other Stones songs like "Under My Thumb". On the song, Bill Janovitz says in his review,

"Unlike another of the album's put-downs, "Under My Thumb," "Stupid Girl" rails and spits venom with a high school garage rock band-like intensity and with about the same level of polish and focus. But while it is not as well-written as "Under My Thumb," "Stupid Girl" possesses an endearing and energetic snottiness that might have won the Stones a good amount of sexually frustrated young men fans who might have otherwise started to defect to the Who and the Kinks when they heard ballads like "Lady Jane."[1]

On the song's lyrics, Richards said in a 1971 interview with Rolling Stone,

"It was all a spin-off from our environment... hotels, and too many dumb chicks. Not all dumb, not by any means, but that's how one got. When you're canned up - half the time it's impossible to go out - it was to go through a whole sort of football match."[2]

When asked about the song and its influences, Jagger said in a 1995 interview with the same magazine,

"Yeah, it's much nastier than 'Under My Thumb'... Obviously, I was having a bit of trouble. I wasn't in a good relationship. Or I was in too many bad relationships. I had so many girlfriends at that point. None of them seemed to care they weren't pleasing me very much. I was obviously in with the wrong group."[3]

“

I'm not talking about the kind of clothes she wears - look at that stupid girl. I'm not talking about the way she combs her hair - look at that stupid girl.

”

“

The way she talks about someone else; That she don't even know herself; She's the sickest thing in this world; Well look at that stupid girl

”

"Stupid Girl" was recorded at Los Angeles' RCA Studios on 6–9 March 1966. With Jagger on lead vocals and tambourine, Richards on electric guitars and backing vocals Brian Jones on acoustic. Charlie Watts on drums, while Bill Wyman plays bass. Ian Stewart plays organ on the song while Jack Nitzsche performs electric piano.

"Stupid Girl" was performed by the Stones during their tour of 1966. It has been included on the 1989 compilation Singles Collection: The London Years.

 

[otb_lifer]

115. Stupid Girl

Year: 1966

US Album: Aftermath

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

From wiki:
 

PROTO-PUNK SNEERS!

  with a passion 

and im'ma leave it at that. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

114. On With the Show

Year: 1967

US Album: Their Santanic Majesties Request

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

“You’re all such lovely people dancing gayly on the floor, but if you have to fight please take your troubles out the door.”

Mick channels his inner Paul McCartney on this one showcasing his vaudevillian carnival barker voice. He narrates the song as an owner of a gentleman’s club welcoming guests and setting up how their night will go.

The lyrics are very clever and the song has a very happy go lucky, tongue in cheek feel to it. It was a perfect way to end their psychedelic faze.

It ends with a piano part by Nicky Hopkins where he speeds up the melody of the song.

 

[wikkidpissah]

116. Country Honk

Year: 1969

US Album: Let it Bleed

Songwriter: Jagger/Richards

“She blew my nose and then she blew my mind.”

Although this song was released on Let It Bleed five months after “Honky Tonk Women” was released as a single, according to Keith Richards the country arrangement was how they always envisioned the song.

The fiddle part played by Gram Parsons associate Byron Berline was recorded on the street outside of the recording studio to add “ambiance”, although the car horn was staged by the Rolling Stones tour manager, Sam Cutler. Mick Taylor who was not an official member of the band yet, as Brian Jones was still in the group but seldom showed up for recording sessions, plays the slide guitar on this one and Nanette Workman sings backup.  

Bonus version: Mick and Keith in dressing room

*splat*

 

[Dr. Octopus]

*splat*

I was going to put the  in there preemptively since you bashed it earlier in the thread.

I actually like their countryish sounding stuff but I steer that way generally in a lot of my music choices.