The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are in the news at the moment as it's fifty years since their first gig. It's quite an achievement to still be around for all that time and to still be successful. It got me thinking and although I wouldn't have said I am a huge fan, as I looked at their songs and reminded myself of their skills, I realised, they are pretty fantastic. I feel a list coming on!


Before we do that, a word about the Stones. They are just more annoying than The Beatles somehow. Mick is a great frontman but he's so arrogant and there is something very dislikable about him. Did you see that suit her wore to Jade's wedding the other week? You upstage your daughter on her wedding day?! Talking of weddings, this is one of my favourite images ever:

He actually looks pretty hot here.

Keith Richards is one of the great survivors of rock and roll. Just looking at photos of him makes me laugh.

To go from this:

To this:

The drugs don't work kids. I saw Keith once and he is tiny. Honestly, you coud knock him over with a gust of wind.

Everyone's favourite Stone is surely Charlie Watts. Mr Cool himself who seems vaguely amused by the nonsense:

As we did with The Beatles (and it seems some are still bearing the scars), it's time to narrow down our Stones love to just eight songs. It's obligatory to blast out Stones songs to appreciate them, they don't make music to quietly play as background, you need to belt them out and jump around. I would argue, they don't have the subtle poetic genius of Beatles songs, it's more sexy, fun rock and roll. That's what fab about them. Here are mine, in no order:

Sympathy For The Devil: great introduction with Mick sort of grunting. And a perfect first line.

Jumpin' Jack Flash: a song that inspired a Whoopi Goldberg song, how can it be wrong? They really knew how to open a song didn't they?

You Can't Always Get What You Want: a change of pace with lyrics that can be applied to almost any situation. I think Mick sounds wonderful on this. I love it.

Paint it, Black: No list could not include this surely. It's perfection.

Honky Tonk Woman: Also perfect. There isn't much more to say. It's just brilliant, the opening. Everything.

Angie: I love this, it's soulful.

Start Me Up: I've always liked this but seriously Mick, what is this outfit?

Gimme Shelter: it's actually easy for me to pick my favourite Stones song, it's this by miles. It's got everything you could want in a song, it's almost my favourite song ever, it's certainly up there. Although I can't possibly entertain the notion of doing my top eight all-time favourite songs. TRAUMA!

So, there we have it. Tell me your choices dear readers.