Tim’s Top Stones

1. Stray Cat Blues (Beggar’s Banquet) – To me this is the quintessential Stones song, Keith at his funky best.
2. Child Of The Moon (Jumpin’ Jack Flash B-side) – Wish they’d spent a bit more time on this recording, Keith’s BVs are horribly out of tune, but its still awesome. Great fuzz bass from Bill.
3. 19th Nervous Breakdown (7″) – One of their most original songs before they got too fucked up.
4. We Love You (Flowers 7″) – the poor old Stones take too much flak for their psychedelic stuff – I think its great, and this is a masterpiece. I wish they’d collaborated more with Lennon & McCartney.
5. Gimme Shelter (Let It Bleed) – I think Jagger is the only virtuoso in the Stones (both vocals and harmonica) but what they lack in virtuosity they make up for with feeling/mojo/attitude. This song is 100% mojo – some kind of crossroads-type deal definitely went down to make this song possible. Check the link for the unreleased extended version (though I dig the edit).
6. She Smiled Sweetly (Between The Buttons) – I love the Stones’ intermediate period where they were experimenting with ballads and pop structures. Always loved this song, and expect it to pop up in a Wes Anderson movie someday.
7. Street Fighting Man (Beggar’s Banquet) – Here’s another one that’s all about the feel – what crappy guitar sounds, but what a great song. Particularly LOVE the breakdown at 2:30 where it changes key – Brian hits the Maracas and Jagger honks out that bizarre trumpet-like note on the harmonica – fucking sublime moment. Bill Wyman’s bass is also stunning on this track – a hugely under-rated bassist.
8. You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Let It Bleed) – Perhaps the Stones’ smoothest production, and a gorgeous song. Mick Taylor’s country licks are just killer.
9. She’s A Rainbow (Their Satanic Majesties Request) – Often ridiculed as a weak Beatles rip-off, I think this is actually a natural progression from the Stones’ pop experimentation. In my opinion the concept of this fair lady ‘coming colours’ is about as psychedelic as it gets.
10. Winter (Goat’s Head Soup) – Come down song from a come-down album – listen to this when you’re driving home at 4am.