Ranking 1980's Rolling Stones Albums

[@rickypierce1028]

I would lose my mind trying to figure what's the best from the Stones! There's so much greatness to choose from.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks - wasn't easy. So true - endless greatness to choose from.

[@tarrtruck2869]

Tattoo You is by far the best Rolling Stones album of the 1980's.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Yep - I totally agree with you.

[@jedikiah1541]

My rankings - 5 Dirty Work, 4 Steel Wheels, 3 Undercover, 2 Emotional Rescue, 1 Tattoo You. Only Tattoo You is an impressive record.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks for your ranking. Agree that Tattoo You is the best of them.

[@michaellord9745]

Totally agree. Undercover and Emotional Rescue are Stones albums that only true Stones fans get the full measure of how great they are. 1. Tattoo You 2. Undercover 3. Emotional Rescue 4. Steel Wheels 5. Dirty Work

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@michaellord9745 great listing. Great Stones albums for Stones fans. More than the sum of their parts.

[@jesses.9843]

I was born in 1986 so wasn’t there to enjoy these as they were released, but I really got into The Stones few years ago and I have a soft spot for Undercover as well. I agree with how you ranked them.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much - Fantastic that you got into the Stones - I've never stopped listening to them for 50 years now. You have a lifetime of enjoyment to come from The Stones recorded legacy.

[@thomaswery3087]

Absolutely fantastic video Alan.Stones rule.Are you still going to go back to the beginning and go through all the Stones albums?

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much Tom - I remember you suggested it, but it's so much to cover. This video literally covers 5 studio albums (plus a live and 2 comps) and it's like 20 minutes. Let's see how this 80's video goes. I can do a 70's, a 60's and a 90's plus and would cover the whole career in a few videos. Think that would work. What do you think?

[@thomaswery3087]

right they have so much and it's all so damn good.I was wondering if you were going to go through all the live material they've been releasing that material is really good I think.Also I'm not going to get the vinyl of Broadsword I figured it's overkill I have the album on vinyl already and with xmas coming up there is going to be a ton of stuff coming out@@TheAlanRosenbergShow

[@Joseph-n4c5l]

Loved Steels Wheels when it came out, but it’s only an “okay” album, today. There’s a “from the floor” mix on KZbin that sounds much more alive than the official release, which has a layer of gloss that hasn’t aged well. I really love all of Chris Kimsey’s other work with the Stones. There are no songs on Steel Wheels, with the possible exceptions of Almost Hear You Sigh and Terrifying, a dance track, which kinda rocks hardest on the album, that I would include on a mixed tape... I’d probably end of picking a couple of songs off Some Girls instead. Hold on to Your Hats could have been a classic a la Rip This Joint if it wasn’t weighed down by so much over-produced guitar. There isn’t enough Ronnie Wood in the music. Mixed Emotions, save for Charlie’s usual magic, is “m’eh.” The album cover and title are subpar. Dirty Work was a bad cover, but it’s so bad that you can’t look away. Steel Wheels is boring - and that’s worse.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks for your comments. I do agree with a lot of what you said. But as you also said a lot of it is in retrospect and doesn’t hold up as well overtime. And it’s time when steel wheels was released. I thought it was a pretty fantastic release.. After dirty work and undercover, it was very well rounded release with lots of different styles. The production was of its time and doesn’t hold up so well now. Even then I was disappointed that mixed emotions was the single. I thought it was pretty flat and unexciting even then. To me, it desperately cried out for a good guitar solo. Rock and a hard place was great in it’s time And was a highlight live it doesn’t hold up so well today. I agree that almost hear you sigh Is a Long lost classic. I still find Steel wheels really good. Listen though as you said a bit dated. Thanks again.

[@ronalaurence4105]

Does anyone know more about The Rolling Stones than you? I, a HUGE fan, myself, say no. What a stellar job you have done in assessing The Stones’ album releases in the 1980s. I especially like how you mention the “B Sides” of the singles. The only difference between your album rankings and mine is that for me “Emotional Rescue” and “Steel Wheels” switch places (i.e. I favor “Steel Wheels” over “Emotional Rescue.”). Going from bottom to top of the rankings, I agree that “Dirty Work” is The Stones’ worst studio album. Yet, I still listen to it every now and then, as even the weakest album by The Rolling Stones has some good listens on it. The outstanding “One Hit (To the Body)” more than makes up for the ho-hum first single off the album, “Harlem Shuffle.” Unlike practically all other cover songs recorded by The Stones, the band did not put any of its signatures on “Harlem Shuffle.” I don’t think it’s better than the original version by Bob & Earl. “Winning Ugly” is a big winner with me, though I recall, from one of your previous videos, that it is a loser in your book. On “Steel Wheels,” the band displays its propensity for coming up with diverse songs, which, despite being inherently different, are stamped with the trademarks of The Rolling Stones. Case in point: “Almost Hear You Sigh,” which I always thought should have been a really big hit (and which I think is better than “Beast of Burden” - maybe because it has never been overplayed); “Terrifying,” a unique blend of a very cool groove, tasty guitar work, a fine smattering of trumpet and emotive vocals; “Mixed Emotions” and “Rock And A Hard Place,” two excellent solid rock choices for singles - each catchy in its own way. The tour to promote the “Steel Wheels” LP is notable in several ways, among them: the previously unequaled commercial success of a tour; its amazing stage design; Mick’s fine form as a singer and a dancer; Bill Wyman’s final tour with the band; three background singers; and two keyboardists. I caught two concerts from that tour, and both were fabulous. (Then, again, I haven’t seen a Stones concert that wasn’t great, beginning with my first two, during the ‘75 tour, and up to all the many I have seen since. I think I’ve only missed one U.S. tour.) As for “Emotional Rescue,” you synopsized it perfectly by saying that “It is greater than the sum of its parts.” I still listen to “Undercover” every so often. As you said, “It’s a Stones album for Stones fans.” I can’t stand still when I listen to “Undercover of the Night” and “Too Much Blood,” which is the only song I know of that makes the subjects of decapitation and dismemberment - as well as a mention of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” - dance worthy. (Yikes! I feel kind of creepy writing that, but, what the hell, I’m a hardcore Stones fan.) In conclusion (finally!), “Tattoo You” does, indeed, deserve the #1 spot. Like you, I love how the album spotlights the band’s rock ‘n’ roll chops on Side 1 and its acoustic excellence on Side 2. “Start Me Up” is, of course, the obvious choice to kick off the album. For me, Side 1’s killer track is “Slave.” I just love everything about the music. Saxophonist Sonny Rollins contributed greatly in taking the music to the next level (IMHO). On Side 2, my favorites are “Tops” and “Heaven.” I wish I knew why “Tops” wasn’t released as a single. What a truly great song!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

as always thanks for your incredibly insightful comments. I agree that when Steel Wheels came out it was like a breath of fresh air. The Stones with all their diversity were back. The album covers so much ground and styles all done well. I was disappointed with Mixed Emotions - I didn't get into it but the bridge "You're not the only one" just doesn't go anywhere - the song desperately needs a great lyrical guitar solo to take it to the next level. I hear it in my head, but it's not there. I also agree that "Tops" is insanely great - a true lost classic - magical performance. And yea - Too Much Blood (and it's great video) ...I also can't stand still when I play that one - and yea the lyrics are over the top...and so much fun. I smile from ear to ear - "Officer and A Gentlemen...something you can take your wife to....". Great great Mick performance. Me and you would love it live, everyone would go to the bathroom lol. Thanks as always.

[@STEVEHEROLD]

never a big fan but did go see them at Veterans Stadium on the Steel Wheels tour. They’re one of those bands every rock fan should probably see once. Kinda like Springsteen or The Who. Of course back then tickets didn’t cost $200 which helped.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

I thought the Steel Wheels concert was amazing. Revolutionary in its time. Incredible staging and most importantly the band sounded fantastic and great setlist. Hope you enjoyed it.

[@calummcgregor3662]

Cool video again ... thoughts re the From the Vaults live shows from early '80's? ..... Saw the Stones in a small theatre (1,900 seats) in Aberdeen in 1982 (they did 3 x small gigs in Scotland 'cause they did not play an outdoor stadium gig .... which they did for several cities in England) ... the gig was electric and Still Life was miles away from the buzz of the show i witnessed ... the From the Vaults 1982 shows at Leeds and the Wembley show (Tattoo You box set) work well as documents of the era ... CMcG, Aberdeen, Scotland .... p.s. favourite from '80's studio work would be Undercover then Emotional Rescue ....

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks. I always thought the bootlegs I had and then the archive shows were better then Still Life. The pay per view show where Keith hits the guy on the stage with his guitar was a good show. You’re so lucky. Seeing the Stones in s small place. Wow. Has to be so hard electric being there. I’ve never seen s small stones show. Incredible videos of them though. On a whole other level.

[@mikedavis7925]

Agree with the rankings for the most part. Undercover and Steel Wheels are excellent and underrated. Tattoo You is outstanding. Just purchased the remastered release of Tattoo and now I’m digging the deep cuts on side 2 which are very underrated. Just ordered remastered of Emotional Rescue as I was somewhat disappointed in the album when it first came out. I give it another listen.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

I really enjoy Emotional Rescue. I find it a fine listen and along with Undercover I go back to it regularly - night as "played out" as Some Girls or Tattoo You (but of course not as good). I call them great Stones albums for Stones fans. Hope you enjoy it. The remastered Virgin CD's are amazing in all cases. And Yes side 2 of Tattoo You is absolutely classic LOVE IT. Thanks.

[@tommylee2207]

Thanks again for a very interesting review on Stones albums. I fully agree that it is hard to decide which is the best in fact I love almost each Stones album. But for me personally I would highlight one of the 80s Stones records and this is definitely the Steel Wheels album. Why ? (from my pov) Because it has brilliant songwriting, great songs, catchy melodies and for the time of its release a superb production. Yes, agree again, in a few moments of the album a bit too clean, but production and above all the great loudness level makes it still today a pleasure to listen to it. According all other 80s albums you have said everything already and it's quite difficult to define a ranking between 2 and 4. On my personal rank Dirty Work would be on 5, because although there are some pearls on it - like One Hit ... and Harlem Shuffle and the title track Dirty Work itself - it is in its entirety not really strong due to the album title. Yes, partially dirty work indeed 😉. Btw what kind of production is Had It With You? A demo version?! Great RnR Song but poor recording. Anyway....Stones are the greatest RnR band in the world...still today. Thx again for your great reviews 👍

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks for your great comments. Totally agree. In its day. Steel Wheels production sounded amazing. Way above DW and Undercover. It really was a new age era for the Stones. Not only their return but the CD age. Had fantastic variety also compared to the previous two albums. Had It With you has no bass which is interesting and a bit strange and gives it that grungy demo quality. Thanks so much again.

[@MortenAastad]

Great review Alan! Mostly agree, even though I have a very soft spot for Emotional Rescue. Is it worth discussing wether or not Emotional Rescue and Tattoo You really can be defined as 80s albums? The first being recorded in the summer of 1979 and the second containing hold overs from the Mick Taylor era? Funny how two records where Jagger/Richards don’t get along can be so different in quality. Tattoo You being the Tops (pun intended and Dirry Work at best Winning Ugly (ok, that one was a stretch!)

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks as always. For me, it's when the album is released. It doesn't exist until it's released. Before that, it's just songs that are sitting in the can or not written yet...lol. People forget or don't realize how much work went into the songs for Tattoo You. They were far from old songs forgotten and sitting in the vaults. Lyrics were written, new parts were recorded etc. Tattoo You was a new album. Just like Physical Graffiti by Zeppelin was a new album in 1975 (that also had some holdovers...as does many or most albums).

[@MortenAastad]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow you sre very welcome. No, I was thinking perhaps more as a way of looking at the 80s as a fairly shambolig decade for the Stones all in all. Release date is release date for sure.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@MortenAastad it really was. Started huge with Tattoo You and ended huge with Steel Wheels but yea in the middle some shambolic rough times.

[@bbaird67]

Great list 100% agree!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much - really appreciate it.

[@stevesutherland6232]

I played the h*** out of that Still Life concert album back when it was released ..the opening cord of under my thumb made it worth it🎸….didnt like Dirty Work either but One Hit to the Body was a rockin tune…..great video thanks for posting

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much. I saw the 1971 tour 3 times and though it was incredible. Bought some really good bootlegs of the tour back then as well. When Still Life was released I found it very underwhelming compared to the tour. It was good but slight. Did like the Going To A GoGo single

[@threeofakindbygeneraldean3007]

Cannot argue with order for a change although still is pretty great alongside overlooked sucking. Tattoo still awesome, with bonus tracks or 1981 release. Only waiting disappoints. Finally, she's cold a killer!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Waiting On A Friend disappoints? Oh man. I think it's a fantastic track. Definitely one of my favorites on the album. I loved seeing it live back on the 1981 tour. Charlie always played it so tasty.

[@threeofakindbygeneraldean3007]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow They only got reggae down correctly once: send it... on ER, disliking all their other attempts. That means b-side to she was hot and especially overrated luxury. Glad they played it live (toronto 1977), however!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@threeofakindbygeneraldean3007 I like Send It To Me as well. Fun track. Really a pseudo reggae track. Love Jaggers vocals on it. Interesting live versions from the beginning of the 1975 tour of luxury as well. Rough bootleg sound. But interesting to hear and understand why didn’t make the cut on that tour.

[@threeofakindbygeneraldean3007]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow No source has claimed it was around earlier than some girls era. Maybe they had a song resembling er master in the mid-1970s? Either way, their best reggae-influenced track. Feel on baby is likeable too. Keep us entertained!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@threeofakindbygeneraldean3007 Thanks again - I forgot about Feel On Baby - I'm a fan of the Undercover album and that is a very cool, interesting track. Yea I like that one. I have a cool Instrumental version of it on the B-side of the Undercover Of The Night 12" too.

[@keeponrollin7922]

Love emotioanl rescue album,dance pt 1 and 2 killer,and of course send it to me

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

awesome - thanks for watching and commenting

[@markspooner1224]

Not my favourite Stones era but I have to admit there's some great stuff there and a lot that I like.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks Mark - my favorite decade for The Stones was the 70's, and perhaps I should do a ranking for the other decades as well. But yea, the 80's Stones are underappreciated and often get a bad rap that is totally not deserved.

[@davidkunzli680]

Coming to your emotional rescue Alan....... You know I don't have any of those CD singles 😭 I don't care for that live Still Life at all. I hated those baseball pants too😂 What an incredible stage set the Steel Wheels tour had. I actually really like Emotional Rescue. Seeing the single with the woman and the candle brings up an idea for a show you talked about but never did. You were going to do a sexy album covers show. It time for you to revisit that idea. I got the new Vince Gill tribute to Ray Price CD in the mail today. I'm excited to hear it tomorrow. I loved his Bakersfield tribute from a few years back. God only knows what else I'll listen to 😂

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Hi David - yea I like that Sexy album cover idea too - it will happen. I don't have any Vince Gill. Totally agree with you - really like ER - underrated album - Steel Wheels was incredible - when Jagger showed up at the top of the stage (above the stadium and sang Sympathy after disappearing during 2000 Light Years during the psych effects - was incredible. Biggest stage ever (at that time). And Yea - the 1981 tour was fantastic as well, but wouldn't really know it from Still Life. Thanks.

[@markhughes5444]

Mick jagger didnt care about dirty work and it shows. My fave stones song ever gimme shelter. Fave album let it bleed. Saw them at Twickenham london stadium £2,500 uk pounds my most expensive gig ever by miles. Average is £80 now for most gigs thats if your quick lol. Theatre gigs about £40. Club gigs about £30. Depends who though. Stones very expensive still.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Gimme Shelter was always my favorite song of all time, as well. That's an expensive ticket - wow.

[@DaveGoldShow]

I liked Steel Wheels over Undercover, other than ONe hit to the body dirty work was trash, Emotional Rescue is one of my top Rolling Stones Albums of all time, tattoo you was solid with some big hits....start me up, waiting on a friend, little t&a..alot of those songs were written in the 70's and shelved.... ER was such a NYC album! where I live! not back then, I was upstate, ny but wanted to get to the Dance 1 world ...Let me Go, She's so cold hot hits!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Yea when Mick talks about the village in Dance - I've been there hundreds of times - always think of it. I love ER as an album too. Not so many great songs , but a great album - more than the sum of its parts. Steel Wheels was a fantastic return - what a great time - I saw three shows at Shea for that album.

[@randybaker6042]

Tattoo You is a great album. Hell, Waiting On A Friend alone would make any album great. 🙂

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks. Love the uniqueness with the rocking side and the "acoustic" type side. They never did that before or since - worked so well (I know Exile had the acoustic side 2 - but that was double album so different case).

[@427bullis]

Steels wheels is solid

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Yes it is. Was a great return in 1989 - lots of styles and many great tracks -

[@FuturePast2019]

1. 1981 2 .1989 3. 1983 4. 1980 5. 1986 Emotional Rescue = Some Girls light. Just like BtButtons = Aftemath light. (UK versions) I think Mixed Emotions is great and the 12'' too. Do you have the 12'' mix of She Was Hot? (Just a promo?) Too good: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j16tZnyXhJ6jhMU&ab_channel=noge

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

I only have that mix of She Was Hot on bootleg - the official 12" release I showed in the video is not that one. Nor is it on the Stones singles CD Box set either. Only on bootleg. As for Mixed Emotions, I didn't want to get into it in the video but that song is in desperate need of a good melodic lyrical guitar solo. The bridge of that song where it simply goes into "You're not the only one" is just kind of flat and dead. Picture it going instead into a great melodic guitar solo - the song could have really taken off. Not to be though....

[@FuturePast2019]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Yes, but as a collector... You NEED the promo. Not? About ER... People who don't like Stones like it... And the people who hate Stones like Melody (Not a Stones song really)🙂

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@FuturePast2019 I’ve never seen a real official release of that version of She Was Hot.

[@manofmiracles]

Would love to see how you have your cd collection stored

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much. If you go to my home page there's a default video "My Two Interviews" which shows the two links to interviews that were done about me. Or in the home page go to links. One of the links is Print Interview about me - 360degreesound.com/cd-junkies-collector-alan-rosenberg. That print interview shows some pictures of my collection and the CD racks. Thanks again.

[@mikebarooshian7255]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShowwell I have to say that the stones in the 80’s was amazing they made there last best studio albums in the 80’s emotional rescue and tattoo you were the stones last best albums the songs were outtakes from the 70’s that they used to make 2 studio albums great albums the 81 tour was a great tour what was great about the tour was it was before Bill Wyman left they sounded like the real stones the later stones from the 90’s in my opinion were not as good as the 80’s stones

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

The Stones (with Bill Wyman) were completely rejuvenated and sounded like a tight, powerful well running machine for Steel Wheels and that amazing tour. I saw three shows on the 81 Tour and 3 shows on the Steel Wheels tour and the Steel Wheels shows at Shea Stadium were incredible. @@mikebarooshian7255

[@mikebarooshian7255]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShowI was at that concert I seen the stones in 1989 during the steel wheels tour it was the stones last tour with Bill Wyman before he left it was at the coliseum in LA Ca guns and roses and living colour opened up the act what a night it was an amazing concert amazing it was my first Rolling Stones concert all never forget that night I didn’t go to the 1981 show I meet people who said they were there and they said it was amazing

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@mikebarooshian7255 so glad you saw the Steel Wheels tour. Your lucky. You saw a very famous shoe with GnR opening up. Awesome. Can’t imagine. Living Colour was the only opener at Shea Stadium.

[@SpenceCurry]

They're all inferior especially in light of jaggers 1988 tour. Satriani worth five Keef's and ten Woody's. I stopped liking stones after exile, and I needed a high end stereo and a head full of pot brownie to properly digest that one. The last song soul survivor finds them dispirited and repeating themselves. In my alt. universe, keef joins Herman's hermits in 1967. Anita starts dating Freddy and the dreamers singer. They both give up on drugs and become health and fitness advocates. Mick runs for Parliament and wins. Brian carries on with his own blues band

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Sounds like a great script for s funny movie. The alternate Rolling Stones history. Spence if you have up on the Stones after Exile you’re really missing out on some incredibly great music.

[@SpenceCurry]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShowonly thing I'm missing is Ronnie wood,and I don't miss him.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@SpenceCurry agree that can count on one hand all of Woody’s great melodic lyrical solos but. Tons of great Stones songs (and albums) since 1972.