Released as a groundbreaking single in 1966 and featured on the US version of the album Aftermath, "Paint It, Black" marked a significant sonic departure for The Rolling Stones. Its innovative use of sitar, combined with Bill Wyman's driving bass and Charlie Watts' propulsive drumming, created a unique psychedelic and raga rock soundscape.

This 1966 classic captures profound despair through Mick Jagger's bleak vocal delivery and the song's modal melody. The fusion of Eastern instrumentation with rock energy made "Paint It, Black" a landmark recording of the psychedelic era and one of the Stones' most enduring and powerful songs.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics express overwhelming grief, darkness, and depression following the death of a loved one. The singer wants everything around them to reflect their inner turmoil ("I see a red door and I want it painted black"), unable to experience joy or color ("I have to turn my head until my darkness goes") due to the magnitude of their loss.

Released as the lead single from their chart-topping 1981 album Tattoo You, "Start Me Up" revitalized The Rolling Stones' sound for the 80s. Originating from earlier sessions, its transformation into a driving hard rock powerhouse, fueled by that unforgettable riff and Mick Jagger's energetic vocals, proved irresistible.

Built on one of rock's greatest guitar hooks and propelled by Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman's solid groove, "Start Me Up" is pure rock and roll energy. This 1981 hard rock classic, boosted by early MTV play, remains a stadium-shaking anthem and a cornerstone of the Stones' vast catalog.

SONG MEANING: The song uses automotive metaphors ("Start me up," "Spread out the oil," "Lubricate") as thinly veiled double entendres for sexual arousal and intercourse. The lyrics express intense physical desire and boastful confidence ("You make a grown man cry," "You make a dead man come"), celebrating raw sexual energy.

Released as a hugely successful non-album single in 1968, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" instantly became one of The Rolling Stones' defining songs. Its raw blues rock energy, menacing guitar sound, Mick Jagger's defiant vocals, and driving rhythm section signaled a move away from psychedelia back to powerful rock and roll.

Built around one of rock's greatest guitar riffs, this 1968 hard rock masterpiece is pure Rolling Stones swagger. A staple of their live shows for decades, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" endures as a timeless anthem of resilience, its raw power and blues rock foundation captivating listeners still.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics depict a character who has endured significant hardship and adversity from birth ("born in a cross-fire hurricane," "raised by a toothless, bearded hag") but has survived and emerged strong. It's widely interpreted as an anthem of resilience, overcoming difficult circumstances, and finding triumph or excitement ("It's a gas!") in survival.

Released as the lead single from their critically acclaimed 1978 album Some Girls, "Miss You" became a US number one hit for The Rolling Stones. Its infectious four-on-the-floor beat, Bill Wyman's iconic bassline, and soulful harmonica/saxophone solos marked a successful incorporation of contemporary disco and dance-rock sounds.

Featuring Mick Jagger's distinctive falsetto vocals detailing late-night loneliness, "Miss You" remains one of the Stones' most popular and danceable tracks. This 1978 fusion of rock, soul, and disco showcased their versatility and enduring ability to capture the musical zeitgeist while staying true to their roots.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics express feelings of loneliness and longing for an absent lover while observing the nightlife of the city ("Walking Central Park, singing after dark"). The singer reflects on their solitude ("I've been holdin' out so long / I've been sleepin' all alone") and repeatedly states how much they miss the person, contrasting the bustling external world with their internal emptiness.

Released as the lead single from their classic 1971 album Sticky Fingers, "Brown Sugar" immediately grabbed listeners with its raw power and infectious groove. Keith Richards' legendary open-G riff, Mick Jagger's provocative vocals, and a driving rhythm section define this essential rock and roll track.

Powered by pure blues rock energy and featuring Bobby Keys' unforgettable saxophone solo, this 1971 hard rock classic is instantly recognizable. Despite its controversial lyrics, "Brown Sugar" remains a landmark recording, showcasing the Stones' unparalleled ability to blend boogie rock rhythms with raw rock and roll attitude.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics, penned by Mick Jagger, are highly controversial, touching upon dark themes including slavery, interracial sex, rape, and potentially drug use (heroin as "brown sugar"). It juxtaposes horrific historical imagery ("Gold coast slave ship bound for cotton fields") with sexualized language, creating a deliberately provocative and widely debated narrative.

Released as the second single from their 1978 album Some Girls, "Beast of Burden" became a Top 10 hit in the US. This smooth rock track stands out with its gentle interplay between Keith Richards' and Ron Wood's guitars, creating a soft rock feel built upon a soulful blues rock foundation.

With Mick Jagger's vulnerable vocal delivery questioning relationship dynamics, "Beast of Burden" offers a more tender side of The Rolling Stones. Its relaxed tempo and blend of blues rock, soul, and soft rock elements have made this 1978 song an enduring favorite on classic rock radio.

SONG MEANING: The song is interpreted as a conversation within a relationship, where the singer acknowledges difficulties and asks their partner if they are strong enough ("Am I hard enough? Am I rough enough?") or too much of a burden to handle. It's a plea for reassurance, questioning their own demands and seeking commitment ("All I want is for you to make love to me").

Released as a standalone single in 1969, "Honky Tonk Women" marked a triumphant return to the top of the charts for The Rolling Stones. Showcasing the burgeoning guitar interplay between Keith Richards and new member Mick Taylor, its unique, loose groove captured their signature hard rock and rock and roll sound.

This legendary 1969 track, fueled by its distinctive rhythm and Mick Jagger's suggestive storytelling, remains one of The Rolling Stones' most beloved and instantly recognizable songs. Its blend of hard rock power and bluesy, country-tinged rock and roll makes it an enduring classic rock staple.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics narrate encounters with two different types of worldly women: a "gin-soaked, bar-room queen in Memphis" (implying a prostitute) and a sophisticated "divorcée in New York City." The singer describes somewhat casual sexual encounters with both, painting vignettes of life on the road with characteristic Rolling Stones swagger.

Released as a single from the 1986 album Dirty Work, "One Hit (to the Body)" showcased The Rolling Stones embracing a contemporary hard rock sound. Featuring fiery guitar exchanges between Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and guest Jimmy Page, the track captured the intense energy of the band.

This driving 1986 rock song tackles themes of volatile relationships with raw honesty. Mick Jagger's charged vocal performance over the powerful hard rock arrangement makes "One Hit (to the Body)" a potent and memorable track from the Stones' extensive catalog.

SONG MEANING: The song depicts a turbulent and potentially abusive relationship, using the metaphor of physical blows ("one hit to the body") to describe emotional or literal injuries inflicted between partners ("You went below the belt"). It explores the destructive, possibly addictive nature of a passionate but damaging connection where hurt is exchanged.

Featured on the classic 1969 album Let It Bleed, "Gimme Shelter" reflected the turmoil of its era through a dark lens of hard rock and blues rock. Its ominous atmosphere, driven by Richards' distinctive guitar work and the unforgettable contribution from guest vocalist Merry Clayton, created an instant classic.

This powerful 1969 track remains one of The Rolling Stones' most acclaimed works. Its chilling lyrics invoking violence ("War, children, it's just a shot away"), combined with its blues rock foundation and hard rock intensity, make "Gimme Shelter" an enduring and potent musical statement.

SONG MEANING: Written amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War and social unrest, the song paints a bleak picture of impending violence, chaos, and societal breakdown ("Oh, a storm is threat'ning / My very life today"). The repeated plea "Gimme shelter" is a desperate cry for protection and refuge from the surrounding turmoil, war, and threat of violence ("Rape, murder / It's just a shot away").

Released as a monumental single that catapulted The Rolling Stones to global superstardom, this 1965 rock classic captured the rebellious spirit of the era. Its groundbreaking sound, featuring that unforgettable riff and Mick Jagger's defiant vocals critiquing consumerism and expressing angst, made it an instant sensation.

This influential rock track remains one of the most recognizable songs in music history. Its simple structure, raw power, and universal themes of dissatisfaction resonated worldwide, solidifying its status as a signature Stones song and an ultimate cruisin' classic from their early peak.

SONG MEANING: The song expresses deep frustration and dissatisfaction with modern life, particularly railing against consumer culture ("a man comes on and tells me / How white my shirts can be") and also touching on sexual frustration ("tryin' to make some girl"). It's a raw outburst against alienation and the inability to achieve true satisfaction in various aspects of life.