The Rolling Stones
The essential The Rolling Stones records, ranked — where to start and what to reach for next.
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1Exile on Main St.The Rolling StonesStart here
Exile on Main St.
A loose, murky double album cut largely in a French villa basement, where blues, country, gospel and rock'n'roll bleed into one another. It sounded ramshackle on release and is now widely held to be their masterpiece. Let it wash over you a few times before its depth reveals itself.
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2Beggars BanquetThe Rolling StonesEssential
Beggars Banquet
The return to raw, rootsy form after psychedelic detours, opening with 'Sympathy for the Devil'. Loose, dark and the start of their greatest run. Essential.
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3Let It BleedThe Rolling StonesEssential
Let It Bleed
A dark, swampy classic bookended by 'Gimme Shelter' and 'You Can't Always Get What You Want', capturing the Stones at their most ominous and assured. Country, blues and gospel all feed in. A peak-era essential.
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4Out of Our HeadsThe Rolling StonesClassic
Out of Our Heads
An early peak, home to '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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5AftermathThe Rolling StonesClassic
Aftermath
The first all-original Stones album, where Jagger and Richards came into their own. Sharp and varied. A 60s turning point.
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6Sticky FingersThe Rolling StonesClassic
Sticky Fingers
Loose, sleazy and superb, home to 'Brown Sugar', 'Wild Horses' and the slow-burning 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking'. The playing is greasy and confident throughout. One of their two or three best.
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7Goats Head SoupThe Rolling StonesClassic
Goats Head Soup
A loose, sultry follow-up to Exile, home to 'Angie'. Mellow and beloved. A solid peak-era record.
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8Some GirlsThe Rolling StonesClassic
Some Girls
A lean, punchy late-70s comeback that absorbed disco and punk energy without losing the swagger. 'Miss You' and 'Beast of Burden' lead it. Their last truly great album.
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9Tattoo YouThe Rolling StonesClassic
Tattoo You
A polished late peak assembled from outtakes, home to 'Start Me Up'. Tuneful and big. Their last great commercial record.
- Gimme Shelter from Let It Bleed · on Best Songs of the 1960s, Best Rock Songs of All Time, Best 1960s Rock Songs
Tracks we've featured in our best-of lists — tap a title to find it on Amazon Music.