Ranking the Studio Albums: The Rolling Stones

[@chambeet]

I don't get why "Memory Motel" doesn't get more love. One of my VERY favorite Stones songs. Just so emotional and gorgeous.

[@Morcaiden]

Beautiful song. "Memory" and "Hand of Fate" get overlooked.

[@poitor5915]

@@Morcaiden hand of fate👌🏼one of my favs☝🏻

[@Morcaiden]

@@poitor5915 It's one of those that stays with you forever!

[@poitor5915]

@@Morcaiden on the strength of that and crazy mama turns black and blue from a average album into an outstanding one☝🏻

[@HaniJIsmail]

I agree with you! It had to grow on me just like the rest of Black n Blue but I end up playing that album more and more these days. I love it since it has more of a jammy feel

[@andrewbrennan7291]

Sway from Sticky Fingers one of the best Rock tunes of all time.

[@jimgroff6880]

My very favorite

[@mikemonchuk7087]

A completely grimy song of exactly where the Stones were at at that very moment. Demon life has gotcho in its sway!!! Utterly fantastic!!!

[@poitor5915]

@@mikemonchuk7087 ally cats anthem☝🏻

[@SH-ud8wd]

Could be mostly by Mick Taylor.

[@timcase3271]

Absolute killer

[@ronnelson7828]

Mick Taylor era. 👍

[@jamescroy9464]

Ron Nelson let it bleed is my favorite but all of the others are from "the other Mick" period

[@ChromeDestiny]

That's my favorite era as well but The London Years Singles Collection which is mostly Brian Jones era is excellent too and I have a soft spot for the first three 80's albums cause I think that's the last time The Stones really lived up to their dangerous reputation.

[@JohnSmith-kz8yo]

@@ChromeDestiny Brian Jones era was a singles band and the Mick Taylor era was an albums band..

[@marcelob4132]

All great albums excluding the occasional whiny country tracks

[@gwenseal332]

Amen!

[@paperbackwriter960]

Aftermath and Between The Buttons are two of the most underrated Stones' albums. Great songs there.

[@josiahmitchell4055]

Totally agree! Aftermath is in my opinion their best album. It was busting out of the norm and had outstanding writing and Brian Jones was at his peak!

[@lennon_9dream133]

Yo también lo pienso así.

[@richardcory5024]

Prof. Stoned did the most amazing mono vinyl rip of Aftermath after years of searching for the best pressing he could find. I heartily recommend it. The Stones sounded best in Mono and that is the best sound I have ever heard from a Stones album. Visit the good Prof.'s web site.

[@13THBEATLE]

Buttons has too much filler. Prefer Flowers.

[@AZDC99]

@@13THBEATLE Flowers!

[@mattslev]

Exile is a masterpiece. Top five album of all time.

[@SH-ud8wd]

Especially the original version. The remix doesn't work for me.

[@Jlipnicki]

Yes, no question. Wether by accident or design, probably a bit of both, this is one of the very few studio recordings that captures a rock band and that feel and edge that is nearly always lost by over polishing and enhancing techniques, even Zeppelin did this on many tracks. Strong songs and Jagger sings with emotion and soul.

[@joelhoward8211]

Overrated

[@zinrroln7427]

Not even the best rolling stones album

[@Matasky2010]

Satanic Majesties is a fun listen, and better than most people give it credit for...

[@Syd4510]

I totally, heartily agree, it's actually a very good album.

[@wernerrotten4662]

Yes. The most freaking out Stones Album and one of her finest.Brian Jones for ever !!!🎸🔊🌅R.i.p

[@ynotbmale5218]

That was Brian Jones’ album, very underrated.

[@HAL933]

Keith himself says in "Live" he find the album bad ... To me, Satanic is Rolling Stones top 10 maybe top 5 ...

[@bluedream9668]

You need a good tab of acid...."they are naked and they dance!"....

[@jimgroff6880]

1. Sticky Fingers 2. Exile 3. Let it Bleed 4. Beggars Banquet 5. Goats Head Soup 6. Some Girls 7.Tatto You 8.Its only RnR 9. Black and Blue 10. Emotional Rescue

[@markr.devereux3385]

You have a good rating system.

[@ustheserfs]

sticky no. 1 agreed. it's hard but that's the definitive album.

[@TheTwangKings]

At least someone else appreciates black and blue! What have they all got against it?

[@johndoyle-hf6wm]

Let it bleed

[@multymedia5320]

yeah the mick taylor era is my favorite - my ranking would be similiar

[@moosey62]

Mick Taylor was good, but he was very lucky to be around when Keith was peaking.

[@jimholt2937]

Holy shit Pete! What a tremendous undertaking! Thanks for your service man. I know...it's only rock and roll but I like it. 😉

[@nicholasrosebush6182]

Tattoo you is a hidden gem.

[@avid2112]

Slave!

[@Twotontessie]

Way up on my list - top 4 maybe.

[@ronaldjames6067]

@@avid2112 Yes. Slave is brilliant. The rest of the album is not, though.

[@RubHerSoul1]

Tattoo You is their last great masterpiece. Especially the 2nd side with all those neo-soul tunes. All these songs were laying around in the vaults since the Exile to Some Girls era. Amazing playing from all members. Its a top 5 pick in their category. Exile may be better,but too scattershot, in a great way,of course. Tattoo You has more consice tracks and still manages to throw a great blues track in the middle and a 50s style rocker like Hang Fire. Little T and A alone is worth the admission.

[@aussieboy77]

I would definitely have Tattoo You higher in that list. Easily in their top 5 and one of their best outside the Mick Taylor era. It was their last really great album IMO and for the trivia buffs, it was their last US No. 1 album.

[@OutOnTheTiles]

I bought Emotional Rescue and Hot Rocks on the same day in the summer of 1980 and it changed my life. ✌️❤️🎸🇨🇦

[@bluedream9668]

Summer '80! I bonded with "the new Stones album" that summer...Summer Romance and it's ovah!

[@wsekrakow9708]

Great show, thanks. 1. Exile 2. Let it bleed 3. Sticky fingers 4. Beggars banquet 5. Out of our heads

[@CorbCorbin]

The top 4 constantly change, depending on what I’m into, or if I’ve been playing the songs myself. But, Exile is never number one on my list, simply because there are multiple songs I could live without on it.

[@jethrotull7773]

You forgot black and blue,

[@theartfuldodger935]

I agree completely and notice that all 4 were produced by the late great Jimmy Miller.

[@sacluvsBM]

@G*man Yup. It should be number five. Still one of the best live albums ever.

[@sacluvsBM]

@@theartfuldodger935 yup!

[@davidconnellchicago]

Love this stuff. Thanks for posting. I go with: 1. Let It Bleed 2. Sticky Fingers 3. Exile 4 . Some Girls 5. Beggars Banquet Any order.

[@etsneroj]

I would rank "Black and Blue" higher. I love "Crazy Mama" and "Hand of Fate." But pretty spot on with the top 5 alums.

[@klaasbakker4304]

Same here,

[@marlboro308]

how can he not mention "Melody"!!

[@bryanmannoia8410]

agreed, I listen to black and blue all the time.

[@tyristori]

I wanna be your slave!

[@eriklewis7367]

I agree I think both black and blue and dirty work don't get the love they deserve especially when you consider the history of the recording sessions for black and blue. Most of the album was recorded in a short period of time after Mick Taylor left the band but before Ronnie joined as the lead guitarist. Mick and Keith wrote and recorded almost the entire album by themselves in a 2 week span of time, which is nuts especially considering how great it sounds

[@frizziamo]

Exile is THE definitive album. A masterpiece, an amazing hybrid of country, blues, rock that only the Stones could have produced. There are other good albums, but Exile is an absolute distillation of everything they do well. Don't get me wrong--there's great stuff on other albums. But Exile is just transcendent.

[@AZDC99]

Yep. "Exile..." IS the bomb!

[@moosey62]

Just the whole story behind that record is legend. Miracle it ever got finished, never mind turn out like it did. A lot of people were involved in it, not just the 5 Stones. Still, it has to be Keith who brings it all together. They never flew so high again, though Tattoo You was very good.

[@1982Dawg]

Disagree - Sticky Fingers and Let it Bleed are 1A and 1B - Both have more awesome songs than the four sides of Exile. Exile is notable that Jagger and Richards finally gave Mick Taylor writing credit on Ventilator Blues

[@cjandthevindicators]

yes a very strong album.

[@richardfweeler2939]

Yep you got it in a nutshell Mike ....if you are a Stones fan into your core ..then Exile is up there ....there are no Duff Tracks ...it raw and powerful probably one of the best albums out there

[@jerrygreitens2522]

This was a big project! I like the way you did it and included all the albums! Very fun to watch. Thanks!

[@troywiggins4318]

Hey Pete, I might not agree 100% on your rankings, I do respect your knowledgeable opinion on all of your videos. You have turned me onto other bands too. Over our lives, our musical tastes change so it is refreshing to revisit an album and realize that some songs that we didn’t care for, now we like.

[@Dex619]

Those first three early albums are some of the greatest pure Rock and Roll/Blues albums ever recorded. So much better than their later attempts at that genre.

[@geruto17760]

Yes the Mick Taylor years are my favourite, although Keith is such a strong player and can come up with the most amazing stuff by himself. So here's my Top 5: 1. It's only rock'n'roll 2. Sticky Fingers 3. Exile on main street 4. Black'n'Blue 5. Some Girls Obviously all the hits of the 60s are classics, some of the early songs are magic and so well recorded. And Their Satanic Majesties Request is just so outlandish ans a unique piece of work. Good back in the day.

[@bluescat59]

I don’t think anyone can say it enough: these videos are bold undertakings. An impossible task. As one who loves lists and rankings, I completely appreciate the effort on all of them. Thanks Pete!

[@keithoday9896]

Tough to rate; props up for you Pete doing them all. My Top ten; 1.Sticky Fingers 2.Let it Bleed 3.Exile on Main St. 4.Beggers Banquet 5.Some Girls 6.Tattoo You 7.Goats Head Soup 8.Its only Rock and Roll 9.Black and Blue 10.12×5 I loved the albums with Mick Taylor; Thank you Pete as always, and to bad you dont have a month just to rate the Zappa studio albums. Take care.😎

[@nielsbie8922]

keith o'day i like You list, Think mine would look like yours

[@DpHsHd]

keith o'day Excellent rankings!

[@OutOnTheTiles]

I’m on-board with this list! ✌️

[@chevy4x466]

Sticky fingers is no doubt their best, just top class. I would have put emotional rescue a bit higher

[@rafaelgarcia9501]

Excellent!!

[@Bajaafter909]

Their version of Carol is blistering and the version on Get yer ya yas out is earth shattering. Ya yas is crucial music to know about if you are really into The Stones.

[@dibbo9264]

Absolutely love your Videos Pete you have awesome taste in music keep em coming

[@juanpablodela2506]

Just discovered your videos a few days ago and I can’t stop watching and learning! Thank you Pete

[@tonyjames8665]

Doing 10 out of 30 studio albums!!! Awesome Pete!! 1. Their Satanic Majestys Request 2. Emotional Redcue 3. Aftermath 4. Beggars Banquet 5. Steel Wheels 6. Exile On Main Street 7. Some Girls 8. It's only Rock N Roll 9. Between The Buttons 10. Goats Head Soup 12. Tattoo You Great lists everyone!

[@aviationlba747]

Very interesting top 10, love that number one pick!

[@peteriuliano5846]

MAJESTIES is so amazing; it's kinda like the guys said to themselves -- "Let's make a BEATLES ALBUM. Who wants to do that?" And everybody said yes. Love it.

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

Yeah their objective was to make their own Sgt Pepper album and try to do psychedelic music. I think it's pretty good.

[@emceesmith6665]

It's written off as a Sgt. Pepper's knock-off, but it's a really great drug album of its time, and the whole work operates on a different psychedelic wavelength from the Beatles albums they were supposedly copying

[@shizuokaBLUES]

I’ve been looking forward to this. And I’m predicting you have Exile first followed by Let it Bleed. That’s my call and I stand by it. Thanks for this Pete. I’ve been nodding off to your lists at night because they are so relaxing and help to take my mind off it all. That’s a very valuable thing you’re doing for so many of us now.

[@offandrunning8771]

Nope.

[@almirsisc2046]

Definitely. Greetings from a brazilian living in Belgium.

[@shizuokaBLUES]

Dave's Pizza Joint 50% right. Partial nope , non?

[@yerffejenyap7554]

My favourite Stones era is 1968-78 so the albums from those years are my favourite. Great video. Keep them coming.

[@lukebrown5855]

Really going out on a limb there Jeff

[@glassslide]

My All-Time favorite band---been waiting for this for a while and you did a great job---appreciate the love for Goats Head Soup--Mick Taylor SHINES on that record, Winter is one of the greatest songs ever recorded imho. awesome video, thanks Pete!!!

[@psychedelicpunkster6840]

There it is..... Never knew it was a compilation , learn something new every day👍😎 thanx Petey

[@leafsfan1728]

Thanks for doing this one Pete! I haven't heard them all but my top ten would look like this: 1. Exile on Main Street 2. Sticky Fingers 3. Let it Bleed 4. Some Girls 5. Beggar's Banquet 6. Goat's Head Soup 7. Between the Buttons 8. Aftermath 9. Tattoo You 10. It's Only Rock N' Roll

[@jasonremy1627]

Basically my top ten with a few small changes

[@FredK2929]

I can’t argue, but I would put Undercover and Tattoo You higher.

[@Bigchet1223]

Tattoo you was one of their biggest albums.

[@FredK2929]

Clevelandsux It includes my favorite Keith Richards song, “Little T&A”.

[@jethrotull7773]

Tattoo you that's my pick

[@OutOnTheTiles]

I love both those album. Lots of great guitar work and energy to both albums. ✌️🇨🇦❤️

[@larrynolletti4594]

I love Emotional Rescue...Tattoo You and Undercover....Rescue has Let Me Go...Send it to Me...Undercover has Tied Up in Love...Pretty Beat Up.....and Tattoo You had Slave....Black Limousine....phenomenal albums....

[@johnfielding5004]

Love the Stones. As you say, it's all subjective. My own top ten would be: 1) Exile on Main St. 2) Sticky Fingers 3) Beggars Banquet 4) Let It Bleed 5) Their Satanic Majesties Request 6) Aftermath 7) Between the Buttons 8) Goats Head Soup 9) It's Only Rock 'n' Roll 10) Some Girls

[@JC-uf4zu]

Aftermath & Between the Buttons are very underrated rated. Both are better than any beatles album. Love the cover of Between the Buttons. What were they thinking ?!

[@keredsilloc4095]

No 80s ?

[@johnfielding5004]

@@keredsilloc4095 I enjoy some of their 80's output but no album from that era can compete with the ones I listed, in my opinion.

[@keredsilloc4095]

@@johnfielding5004 I love Bills bass playing on Tattoo you and emotional rescue...their 2 best 80s albums in my opinion

[@johnfielding5004]

@@keredsilloc4095 Can't disagree with you there. Bill's bass playing was always spot on and they're the two best Stones albums from the 80's. However, Keith plays bass on All About You and Ronnie plays bass on Dance, Summer Romance, Where The Boys Go and the title track on Emotional Rescue. However, Bill plays bass on all of Tattoo You except for Little T&A.

[@lionstandingII]

1. Get Your Yaya's Out 2. Aftermath 3. Exile on Main Street 4. Goatshead Soup 5. Now!

[@keithheitner1020]

For the most part, I agree with much of your rankings. However, I think you ranked Black and Blue much too low. "Fool to Cry", "Hand of Fate" and "Memory Motel" are classic tunes. Yes, some of the other tunes are just basically jams; but enjoyable nevertheless.

[@keithoday9896]

Totally agree Keith( great name by the way) one of my favorite Stones albums because it was a special time in my life.

[@bksherm]

Did you not listen to what he said. Its his opinion. Some thick headed people in this world.

[@Twotontessie]

She’s got a mind of her own and she uses it well she’s mighty fine she’s one of a kind ....

[@keithheitner1020]

@@bksherm A bit harsh don't you think. I was just giving my opinion. Jeez, calm down dude

[@FredK2929]

I would put it even lower. I hardly ever listened to it.

[@AndersonTyrell-c9i]

Really enjoying this ty

[@grahamdavies2624]

I agree Gimme Shelter is the best Rolling Stones song......very atmospheric and somehow relevant in these troubled times.

[@rpaustex]

Gimme Shelter has been the ringtone on my phone for years!

[@davidconnellchicago]

I agree. Something about Gimme Shelter. Great minds think alike.

[@jackparker8759]

@@rpaustex I set mine to Ventilator Blues recently. Seemed appropriate.

[@antonbarkland2194]

It think it's the best one I've heard from them. It's fantastic :-)

[@sacluvsBM]

Rocks Off.

[@CaptSpacelord]

As a huge Stones fan from the beginning of 64 I love all the old albums and my top 5 are these 1. Let it bleed 2. Beggars Banquet 3. Exile on main street 4. Aftermath 5. The Rolling Stone,s Now and Compilations 1. Flowers 2. Big Hits ( high tide and green grass ) 4. The singles collection

[@MetalJesus157]

Sister Morphine sends chills down my spine.

[@ChrisNorwood3]

Watching for the second or third time since I'm barreling through their whole discography now. Currently listening to December's Children.

[@willloggia]

My dad is a huge Stones fan... really all I've ever been exposed to... and all I ever need! It’s only rock ‘n’ roll but I like it. Of course I appreciate other great groups like The Beatles, but the Stones will always be what’s ingrained in me. Very thankful to have seen them live with my dad in Buffalo in 2015, still kickin' ass. And so hyped another album is in the works right now… off to a solid start with Living In A Ghost Town... Here are my top 10 Stones albums ranked... just my opinion, what I like the most! 1. Sticky Fingers... FAVORITE SONG: Wild Horses. FAVORITE SLEEPER: Sway. 2. Exile On Main Street... FAVORITE SONG: Shine A Light. FAVORITE SLEEPER: Shake Your Hips (cover). 3. Goats Head Soup... FAVORITE SONG: Angie. FAVORITE SLEEPER: 100 Years Ago. 4. Let It Bleed... FAVORITE SONG: Gimme Shelter. FAVORITE SLEEPER: You Got The Silver. 5. Some Girls... FAVORITE SONG: Miss You. FAVORITE SLEEPER: Far Away Eyes (Stones can do country with the best of 'em). 6. Steel Wheels... FAVORITE SONG: Mixed Emotions. FAVORITE SLEEPER: Can't Be Seen (Watch Keith absolutely kill it in on his birthday at "Terrifying" live in 1989 Atlantic City during the Steel Wheels tour. First live Stones performance my Dad ever showed me). 7. Tattoo You... FAVORITE SONG: Waiting On A Friend. FAVORITE SLEEPER: Little T & A. 8. Aftermath... FAVORITE SONG: Paint It, Black. FAVORITE SLEEPER: I Am Waiting (used in film "Rushmore"). 9. Beggars Banquet... FAVORITE SONG: Sympathy For The Devil. FAVORITE SLEEPER: Stray Cat Blues. 10. Between The Buttons... FAVORITE SONG: Let's Spend The Night Together. FAVORITE SLEEPER: Ruby Tuesday. Thanks for the video! I love everything Stones. Stay well.

[@kevinbuckley2648]

Too many to pick do like tattoo stick fingers

[@robowizard6132]

Sway and stray cat blues are sleepers?? Hot take lol

[@willloggia]

@robowizard6132 just based on what the hits were on those albums. Sticky Fingers being loaded with classics like Brown Sugar, Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, and Moonlight Mile makes Sway a sleeper in comparison. Same thing goes for Stray Cat on Beggars… up against the likes of Street Fighting Man.

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

Huge video Pete. Memorable. Thanks very much

[@captainbeyond7469]

Exile on Main Street for me is top five all time albums ever. Have the whole catalog prefer the Mick Taylor era. Agree Goats Head Soup is very underrated.

[@jamesmack3314]

Yes! Soup is great

[@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy]

For me, if they'd combined the best songs from both _Goats Head Soup_ and _It's Only Rock 'n' Roll_ (and put everything else on a separate album), they'd have had one last hands-down stellar album.

[@jethrotull7773]

@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy dancing dancing dancing somewhere dancing with mr. Déeeeeee.

[@larrynolletti4594]

@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Totally disagree....I wouldn't edit a thing out of either album...both are fantastic.....

[@jamesmack3314]

Wow I never thought I'd see a comment from the 1 and only Jethro Tull!! Silver Train Has got to be 1 of their best

[@joeking5310]

Steel wheels and voodoo lounge are very underrated. Not in their top 5, but both in my top 10.

[@robertogiovanelli1709]

Weak albums Only love Is strong It's good

[@philmole1209]

1. Exile on Main Street 2. Sticky Fingers 3. Let it Bleed 4. Beggars Banquet 5. Aftermath 6. December's Children (and Everybody's) 7. Out of Our Heads 8. Their Satanic Majesty's Request 9. Between the Buttons 10. Some Girls

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

Thanks for making a case for Blue and Lonesome, its very underappreciated and i really enjoy it. My ranking (including the newest Hackney Diamonds) 26. Dirty Work 25. Bridges to Babylon 24. A Bigger Bang 23. 12X 22. December's Children 21. Undercover 20. England's Newest Hitmakers 19. Rolling Stones Now 18. Out of our Heads 17. Their Satanic Majesties Request 16. Hackney Diamonds 15. It's Only Rock N Roll 14. Between the Buttons 13. Steel Wheels 12. Voodoo Lounge 11. Black and Blue 10. Emotional Rescue 9. Blue and Lonesome 8. Tattoo You 7. Beggars Banquet 6. Aftermath 5. Goats Head Soup 4. Some Girls 3. Let It Bleed 2. Exile On Main Street 1. Sticky Fingers

[@mazmoslash4049]

My favorites: Gimme Shelter, Sympathy For The Devil, Monkey Man, Jumpin Jack Flash, Street Fighting Man. Best albums: Aftermath, Out of our Heads, Let it Bleed, Baggars Banquet, Sticky Fingers.

[@garycreswell9107]

My favorite band thanks for doing this one. 1. Let It Bleed 2. Beggar’s Banquet 3.Exile 4.Some Girl’s 5. Tattoo You 6.It’s Only Rock and Roll 7. Goat’shead Soup 8.Between The Button’s 7.12x 5 8.Sticky Fingers 9.Aftermath 10. Steel Wheel’s.

[@marguskiis7711]

"Their Satanic..." is massively interesting album, I like it the most. And the songs are brilliant.

[@xaspirate8060]

Right on Margus -- someone who gets the Stones!

[@christopher9152]

It's definitely underrated.

[@larrynolletti4594]

Oh really...I always considered it their absolute worst album....the Stones pathetic and dismal attempt to parrot the Beatles overblown Sgt.Peppers was not only an epic failure....it was downright horrible..a soundtrack for an opium den.....clearly targeted to acid and hallucinogen users ...Brian Jones had a field day making all sorts of strange noises on it with weird instruments..an effort that was so poor even Wyman does a "vocal"....no thanks....that fiasco put the nails in the coffin of that psychedelic eastern sounding crap era for the Stones and instead Jagger and Richards returned to a more American blues rock country roots sound with their own original compositions which led to a block of their best music...with Richards doing almost all of the guitar parts on Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed...right into Sticky Fingers and Exile with Jagger and Richards most incredible song writing and bringing in the gun for hire session lead player Mick Taylor...and then later Ron Wood....these albums all bury Satanic Majesties...I listen to all Stones albums on a regular rotation but have a hard time sitting through Majesties since I don't indulge in hallucinogens...(...actually I couldn't stand it when I did ) and instead listen to the official bootleg release Jamming with Edward in it's place....

[@xaspirate8060]

@@larrynolletti4594 And many other great rock albums came out of opium dens. You gave a nod to Exile and I would be willing to bet you that was more drug infused than Satanic. Yes, it is a kinky crazy album but that's what makes it great. I'm glad they put that one out there--we all got more of our fill of the southern rock style that was to come in the next 5 albums so SMR is well worth the listen. I want to say that I don't know how a Stones fan like yourself has such disdain for this one but then again I hate Black and Blue and think it was an effortless shrug while the group was falling apart. Now that I re-read your post though maybe this is all about you not getting the 'good stuff' back in the day and therefore always hated this album? just a thought. And thank God for Brian Jones by the way. The Stones were infinitely more interesting with him around despite his reputation as a not-so nice guy.

[@larrynolletti4594]

@@xaspirate8060 yes....my sarcastic opium den statement refers to the target audience and setting for listening to said noise fest....not as to the state they were in while recording....I think albums like Exile and yes...one of my favorites...Black and Blue...are a lot better off for being conceived on heroin...alcohol and cocaine...as opposed to LSD and "tripping ".....in other words...enhancing reality or going a million miles away from it...sometimes you don't make the return trip...as for the overworship of Brian Jones and the romanticism of his " legacy "....yes he formed a blues cover band kicking around in England with a host of other bands and named it after a Muddy Waters song...and if it wasn't for Jagger and Richards meeting at the train station ....a monumental moment in rock history....that's all Brian Jones ever would have been...he got to ride on the coattails of the songwriting genius of Jagger and Richards...it was Jagger and Richards who put them on the map and made them famous....yes...in the beginning he was a competent blues and harmonica player....by the end of the decade he was a fried space cadet...the Stones got bigger and better without him....the greatest Stones is from Beggars Banquet on....there is no comparison between the psychedelic sludge of Satanic Majesties and the greatness that came after...

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you for your ranking the Rolling Stones.🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@peterm.fitzpatrick7735]

I agree with you that the late sixties and early seventies music of the Stones has more hits per disc, but they always managed to put at least one or two gems on their other ones. I missed an opportunity to see them live my senior year in high school, which I regret because I think one has to seem them live to really understand their musicianship. "Angie" is one of those songs that struck an internal chord with me for some reason. No idea why, really.

[@jamesmack3314]

Love Angie...There is something about that song similar to the led zeppelin that's the way it's just hits a deep emotional chord it's truly a beautiful song as is That's the way

[@SneedyKetler]

How about “Heartbreakers (Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo)”? Would’ve been the year before “Angie” was a single, I think.

[@Fuq2]

@@SneedyKetler Same album for both songs 1973

[@chrislegner4816]

Was pleased to see you give "Blue and Lonesome" the love it deserves. Aside from the 70's classic era stuff, it may be the one I currently listen to the most.

[@paulsimister944]

The run of 3 albums from Let It Bleed to Exile on Main Street explain why the Mick Taylor era is so revered. If you add in the live recordings of the time, from Ya-Ya's to The Brussels Affair, you can see just how great this band were at their very peak. The best rock band in the world? Hard to say because The Who, Zeppelin, Sabbath, Deep Purple etc were all really strong in those early 1970s. What a fantastic time for rock music.

[@danielhirrel3712]

Great to hear you are a Stones fan. They have been my number one band forever

[@edbarnes2686]

The only surprise was to see Tattoo You ranked as low as it was. I know some people have an issue with the second half being comprised of all ballads but I feel it's one of the strongest album sides the Stones have ever done. #1 for me is Exile, Sticky, Banquet, Bleed, Some Girls, Goat's Head Soup, Aftermath, Tattoo You...BEST Stones compilation is Rolled Gold. Most underrated is Black and Blue - Hand of Fate/Memory Motel/Hot Stuff/Hey Negrita/Fool To Cry/Crazy Mama - blast THIS one at your next backyard BBQ.

[@Johnmeyerbooks]

Can't really argue. But I'll just leave this here... 1. Exile on Main Street 2. Let It Bleed 3. Sticky Fingers 4. Beggars Banquet (with my favourite song, Jigsaw Puzzle) 5. Some Girls

[@ericburdon8628]

My top five: 1- Aftermath, 2- Beggars Banquet, 3-December's Children, 4- Between the Buttons, 5- Out of our heads

[@xaspirate8060]

Excellent fkg list dude!!!

[@briankelman2325]

Thanks Pete! Keep on rockin'! My Top 10 List: The first 6 LPs I ever bought in the mid-70s were Stones albums and they are all in my top 10. I don't listen to the Stones as much now but the one I've pulled out the most in the last few years is #4 on my list. Always preferred the Mick Taylor era best. 1. Exile on Main Street 2. Sticky Fingers 3. Let It Bleed 4 Goats Head Soup 5 Beggars Banquet 6 Some Girls 7 It's Only Rock 'n Roll 8 Steel Wheels 9 Black and Blue 10 Their Satanic Majesties Request

[@alexjames7670]

Another good ranking, Pete! Seeing as I'm lazy today, I'll just do a top fifteen (based upon the British catalog, so some albums like December's Children won't make the cut): 1 Let it Bleed 2 Beggars Banquet 3 Aftermath 4 Between the Buttons 5 Their Satanic Majesty's Request 6 Goats Head Soup 7 Exile on Main Street 8 Sticky Fingers 9 Some Girls 10 It's Only Rock'N'Roll 11 Out of Our Heads 12 Tattoo You 13 Emotional Rescue 14 Bridges to Babylon 15 Steel Wheels

[@AngoMCB]

Great, just discovered your channel time to watch some videos!

[@eddieobrien1411]

LET IT BLEED,my favourite album of all time. Mixing country blues and rock,and Keith Richards playing all the guitar work. This is the album in which he found his signature malevolent sound. Plus it has Monkey Man and Gimmie Shelter…enough said

[@maxcady9071]

Love the fact you spelt 'Gimmie Shelter' the right way.

[@fernandoluzuriagaacosta5338]

Agreed, although I'd argue that he round his signature sound on Beggars.

[@jeremysmyczek]

Mick Taylor appears on Let it Bleed.

[@martinmason5008]

Very good, both choice and the way you've presented. From England, I got into them in 76, so you're binge would have been at a larger table. I enjoyed buying a load of albums in my teens in the late 70s. I'll do my selection for my own fun. I plan to reply about the different releases UK/US. We would have been at the same gig at Shea, if it was the Saturday night. A first for me as it was my first trip to the US. Seen the boys on three continents (by chance in Australia while backpacking). Been US resident since 97, fell in love with a girl from Detroit, fell in love with The States at that gig in NYC. Thanks for the upload Pete. A fabulous start to the week here in Motown. (Back, after following the diplomat spouse for 15 years on our own tours.)

[@daveburton3289]

Exile is the best album of all-time in all of music...imo.

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

Exile has a provenance, that is, when it was made, by whom, and how it was made. For me it was a come back album after some mediocre albums. It was Mick Taylor's last with the Stones. They stayed holed up in a studio, and Kieth and Mick had a burst of songwriting. They returned to the blues. Yes, exile is the best album of all time.

[@SneedyKetler]

Your opinion is sound because it ranks first on some critic lists. I think NME top 500 it beat out Beatles’ ‘Revolver’ and was second only to Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’.

[@bernardocarneiro1982]

James Bond "a comeback album after some mediocre albums" the last albums were Sticky Fingers,Let It Bleed and Beggars Banquet...go home James Bond,you had way too many martinis

[@larrynolletti4594]

For years many fans and critics didn't think so...then it had a massive resurgence....I used to love putting it on for girlfriends who loved the Black Crowes....can't argue with you.....I love every single note and have played it ad infinitum...

[@larrynolletti4594]

Also..it wasn't Mick Taylor's last album with the Stones....the incredibly excellent It's Only Rock and Roll was....

[@obbor4]

The Stones, as we all know, are pretty much three distinctive bands, each which had something great going for them. As group entities, I favor the Brian Jones era Stones for aggressive, youth eats world songs played by wide-eyed kids with the whole candy store at their disposal. The Mick Taylor era has them playing their best live and the Ronnie Wood era turns them into The Faces with all of the inebriated hi jinks that went with the live sets from his former band. Keith finally had a partner whom he considered a friend. The mid era segment produced the best played albums, the early era the most snarling rockers ('Get off of My Cloud', 'Satisfaction', The Last Time, etc.) and the present day Stones are special because they have kept the fire burning. For that, this fan is eternally grateful.

[@kellyanrig1220]

My top 5 ranking: 1) Let It Bleed 2) Sticky Fingers 3) Some Girls 4) It's Only Rock n Roll 5) Exile on Mainstreet

[@SuperMogwai78]

Love your videos Pete !! I hope you're ok with all this mess and feeling well. Love from Spain. Ed

[@rattlehead85]

I’m the same as you Pete.. never really got into the Rolling Stones until late 90s as I was always more towards Heavy Metal and Hard Rock. My brother had a copy on vinyl of a compilation album “Made in The Shade” which had the tunes Angie..Wild Horses and Heartbreaker on it. They got my attention so I purchased 40 licks which pretty much covers what I like. I added Heartbreaker to it as that track was missing. May look into some studio albums and some of the songs I’m not familiar with having seen this. 👍🏻

[@mikeprofo2328]

For me it was the other way round, early 70s I was into Beatles,Stones, Who, Rod Stewart, then started to get into Purple, Zep, Floyd & later UFO, Scorpions, Rainbow.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

The Stones' catalog is so vast and deep that no compilation can do it justice. To really know the Stones you have no choice but to listen to the individual albums because some of their greatest songs were not hits: "2000 Light Years From Home," "Let it Loose," "100 Years Ago," "Salt of the Earth," "Monkey Man," "Sway," "Ventilator Blues," "Sister Morphine," "No Expectations," "Hand of Fate," "Respectable," "Child of the Moon"... the list goes on... In my opinion, the Stones have more great songs than the Beatles, though that's only due to the fact that the Beatles broke up.

[@gregorybuell686]

All of the compilation albums have the same songs from through the past darkly to more hot rocks and 40 licks

[@gregorybuell686]

The best stones Albums are sticky fingers exile on main Street some girls black and blue it's only rock and roll goats head soup paint it black flowers between the buttons and get yer ya yas out

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

I saved my pocket money up and started with Darkly Through The Past Big Hit Vol 2, and High Tides Green Grass.. Made In The Shade..Eventually graduating to buying the stand alone albums.Simon F U.K

[@nunuloki]

Pete's ratings and rankings are generally similar to mine for most of his shows. He is an informed critic and obviously knows his music well. He has good explanations and interesting facts and trivia.

[@cjandthevindicators]

Good fun! For me, however, I’d rank “Aftermath” much, much higher: in the top 3. But I’m an old timer! Totally agree that “Let it Bleed” and “Beggars Banquet” are top choices. I also agree that Sticky Fingers and Exile are great too.

[@billowens8051]

First, great job Pete; I'm pretty much in agreement with your rankings and comments. You have very good taste. The Stones are far and away my favorite band for lots and lots of reasons, some of which you touched on. I'm older than you so I grew up with them and the Beatles, watching and listening to each grow, stretch out and become the biggest and most influential bands in the world - what a fantastic time to be a teenager. And you very briefly touched on something that always struck me about Stones albums - even their weaker ones have at least one or two killer tracks. That's one reason millions of people of varying ages love them so passionately. Thanks for the posting - it was fun.

[@pookiemartinez3909]

1. Sticky Fingers 2. Exile on Main St 3. It's Only Rock n Roll 4. Some Girls 5. Let it Bleed

[@carlosgobatto6328]

Finally my favorite band on my favorite chanel! My top 10: 1 - Exile On Main Street 2 - Let It Bleed 3 - Sticky Fingers 4 - Some Girls 5 - Beggars Banquet 6 - Tattoo You 7 - Black And Blue 8 - Aftermath 9 - Goat's Head Soap 10 - Steel Wheels

[@daveben3573]

Looking forward to this! Exile, Let it Bleed, Sticky fingers my flip flopping top 3!

[@robpaxson4455]

those 3 back to back to back...quite possibly the greatest 3 record output in rock history

[@cliffbooth8423]

Same here

[@cliffbooth8423]

rob paxson no doubt!

[@xaspirate8060]

@@robpaxson4455 add Beggar's for the Grand Slam

[@RobertBeatty]

Thank you, Pete so much for your varied and insightful breakdowns. I know of most of the artists you talk about and usually agree with your asssements. Sometimes I learn of one I need to check out more (Trapeze) or you remind me of one that I need to rediscover (Queensrÿche). And you’ve kept me afloat during this strange time, reminding me to Keep Calm and Crank it Up. I hope in the future you can do an album ranking of Voivod (many!), Watchtower (only three), and The Aristocrats (only four, but mabye too early in their career). I was always a Beatles (Wings) and Zeppelin guy, but I need to give the Stones more ear. Not just the things I’ve heard a million times. Best for now.

[@AZDC99]

It takes balls the size of Jupiter to rank these albums, frankly. I love the catalog from the 60s to the 90s (or like it in some areas I should say). I appreciate your rankings and agree with most of them. Great job! For me, their golden era was from Beggars Banquet to Exile On Main Street. Those four albums!

[@winthorpetrois]

Thanks for this. 5. Some Girls 4. Beggars 3. Let it Bleed 2. Sticky 1. Exile -- Gonna pop in that rockumentary now.

[@skinzz2573]

Hand of Fate and Gimme Shelter best Stones' songs EVER!!!!

[@johnmolvar5026]

Coming out of my last dreaded engineering final, reaching for my first beer, Hand of Fate comes on the radio, pure ecstasy! A running joke is the best player (Harvey Mandel) failed the audition, but left us this gem.

[@larrynolletti4594]

@@johnmolvar5026 no he wasn't the best player in the audition...Ron Wood was....he fit the Stones like a glove....Mandel wouldn't have survived a single Stones tour...by the way...it was Wayne Perkins who played the lead on Hand of Fate...and he didn't leave us this gem...it is another great Jagger Richards song with a lead from a gun for hire session player....same thing Mick Taylor did for 4 albums.....Mandel played on Hot Stuff...Woody was phenomenal on both songs on the 76 tour live....as well as Hey Negrita which was his song....

[@michaelmouse4024]

I'm on the run, I hear the hounds, my luck is up, the chips are down... Hand of Fate = genius.

[@bobbietaccio899]

I enjoy watching your rankings. Thanks man!

[@keithmarus8554]

Absolutely adore Steel Wheels and especially Voodoo Lounge. The funk in that album is so good. But for the classics Sticky Fingers tops for me . Some Girls very underrated also

[@xaspirate8060]

Excellent studio work on SW and VL

[@Darrylizer1]

Going through the Rolling Stones huge catalog is not an easy task for me because of the sheer number of albums and all the different releases of their early material, well done! I couldn't do it that's for sure. I agree with your top five btw. Sticky Fingers! Yes, finally that great album gets some love.

[@krapulax605]

black and blue higher, i'm ok with the other rankings

[@carlosgobatto6328]

Agreed, i love songs like Hand of Fate, Fool to Cry, Hey Negrita, Hott Stuff, Memory Motel and Melody

[@gavinschmidt7846]

@@carlosgobatto6328 huge sleeper album, Great tunes as said above

[@jamesmack3314]

1st album without Taylor and it shows

[@dt1978]

I pulled out Black and Blue, and listened to it for the very first time, especially since many folks here have a problem with Pete's ranking of it. I *had* to see what all the fuss was about. Yeah, awesome sleeper album. Wasn't expecting to like it so much. The only track I didn't like was the opener Hot Stuff...weak as hell. I was about to dismiss the album altogether from that one track, alone. Maybe I'll like the tune a little more with time. Who knows? Not even sure where I would rank Black and Blue, 'cause I have *so* many Stones albums that I still haven't listened to. But, as Pete says, we all can't hear things the same way, and that's fine by me.

[@carschannel9824]

Black N Blue still doesn't get the Respect it deserves. Memory Motel, Hand of Fate, Crazy Mama, Fool To Cry, Hot Stuff etc. etc. ...... 🎸

[@yadigjamesgang-xs7jj]

I like the diplomatic way you approached the Cover Albums, Pete. That is the difference between a FAN and a critic.

[@spinynorman8217]

I'm going to speak up for Undercover..always loved every track, full of humour, I've liked the stones since 82 when l was 17. With you on Gimme Shelter as arguably their finest song.

[@larrynolletti4594]

I agree with you completely....Undercover is fantastic...

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

Black and Blue is one of my favorites now because I almost never heard any of the tracks on classic rock radio, and subsequently haven't gotten tired of them. It's a great, varied album. I love the two Reggae songs on it, and Melody with Billy Preston has a killer groove. Blue and Lonesome grew like wildfire every time I listened to it, and it's a great blues album. Nice to hear a Blues record that's all about the ensemble rather than just the lead guitarist. Charlie is excellent on that one.

[@josecandal9412]

Between The Buttons, Goats Head Soup and It's Only Rock n' Roll are the most underrated albums of The Stones in my opinion. Brilliant stuff in those great records. Although my three favourite Stones albums are Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile On Main Street.

[@xaspirate8060]

Jose, not sure they are so underrated... you , and most put SF, Bleed, Exile, Beggars on top of your 3 yet in most polls your 3 are in Top 10 more often than not ... at lesast that is what I have seen and Ive been to many RS type sights in past 25years. With all due respect to PeteP, the posters here defy convention a little bit with the 5 thru 8 selections. Go to other sites and yo will see your 3 Top 8 in most cases. That has been my experience at least. I just gave this a little thought in my un-sober mind and my browsing history would say that the typical order of ranking would go Exile/Sticky 1 and/or 2, Beggars/Let it Bleed 3 and/or 4, then 5 Aftermath, 6 GoatHeadSoup, 7. It's Only ROck&Roll, 8. England's Newest Hitmakers, 9. Tatoo You (which pains me to report), 10 Between the Buttons 11. December's Children Obv not empirical data here but I think this holds up with your avg RS fan. Esp those who went to same website I wnet to sine those rip-roaring days of Windows95 hahaha

[@probert2431]

Thanks Pete for your list and taking time to do it. I might be the only one but my favorite Stones album is Goats Head Soup. Mick Taylor is just awesome on guitar.

[@catsofsherman1316]

I only just recently rediscoved GHS and now I love it. Been playing it a lot lately. Really underrated Stones album.

[@probert2431]

@@catsofsherman1316 I agree.

[@dt1978]

Not the only one. Goats Head Soup is my favorite, too. 😁

[@dandywarhol8984]

1/2/3/4 In any order: Beggars, Let it, Sticky and Exile, 5 Goat’s Head Soup, 6 Aftermath, 7 Between the Buttons, 8 Some Girls, 9 Tatoo you, 10 Their Satanic Majesties Request

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

Great list. Spot on, with one exception. I would replace 'Tattoo You' with 'Its Only Rock n Roll.'

[@lgbass]

1. Sticky Fingers 2. Let It Bleed 3. Beggar's Banquet 4. Some Girls 5. It's Only Rock N Roll 6. Tattoo You 7. Steel Wheels 8. Black N Blue 9. Goats Head Soup 10. Exile On Main Street. I have a soft spot for Memory Motel off of Black N Blue. I saw them on the Voodoo Lounge Tour in DC. We got to the parking lot really early. Very few people around yet. We were sitting on the tail gate of my truck drinking beers when music started playing from the stadium. Mick had came out for a sound check. He sang Memory Motel accompanied by only the piano. When the song ended that was it for the sound check. Kinda like he played it just for us. They performed it during the show but it just wasn't as great as what he played for us.

[@royalblue2229]

The UK version of Aftermath is by far my favorite

[@fidomusic]

As a school boy in 1966 I got a paper round job to buy Aftermath just for Mother`s Little Helper. That song is so bloody brilliant. In 2020 Bill Wyman`s bass still sends a tingle up and down my spine.

[@L42-u5z]

Yeah love it too, just cause it contains one of the best tunes to ne, ,,Out of time", alone- its a shame that this gem isnt included in the US- Version!

[@philipcapraro4467]

Thanks for takeing your time and makeing your list Pete, helps past the time in what’s going on these dayz. This is mine which was gut wrenching hard lol , you should do a Sabbath. #1 Black and Blue #2 Beggars Banquent #3 Let it Bleed #4 Goats Head Soup #5 It’s only Rock and Roll #6 Sticky Fingers #7 Some Girls #8 Tattoo You #9 Exile #10 Emotional Rescue

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Sabbath was done quite some time ago.

[@DavyDredd14]

5) Some Girls (1978) 4) Beggars Banquet (1968) 3) Sticky Fingers (1971) 2) Exile On Main St (1972) 1) Let It Bleed (1969)

[@iheartcicada]

let it bleed is so good, but exile isn’t the most nostalgic, and most story filled album of all time, being addicted to heroin and tax exiles is the most rock n roll thing ever..

[@sunking9050]

Bang on man ! I agree with your top four. What a catalogue of great albums

[@steveseim]

Good list. I think I would shift *Exile* up to #2, between *Sticky Fingers* and *Let It Bleed* .

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

That's a legit opinion, but Exile doesn't have as many truly classic, instantly recognizable songs as Let It Bleed does.

[@billygoth]

This to me is your best review. I couldn't agree with you more on your top 5. Thanks for sharing Pete.

[@marcosg.garcia319]

Exile, Some Girls, Sticky Fingers, It's only rock and roll and Beggar's are my Top Five RS albums. I was a late bloomer to the band and I regret it now

[@jakejohnsonwwe]

I'm looking forward to checking out their discography. I know a handful of songs. I'd like to know more. This evaluation will take a bit.

[@neugey]

I got into the Stones in the early-mid 2000's so I have a soft spot for the 40 Licks compilation (Don't Stop was a good single) and A Bigger Bang (Streets of Love is a good ballad that gets me in the feels)

[@catsofsherman1316]

Glad someone else is giving love to A Bigger Bang. I thought it was a damn fine Stones album. A little overstuffes perhaps, but much top shelf stones magic in there.

[@larrynolletti4594]

Bigger Bang has great songs...no doubt...and some kick ass guitar from Ronnie...

[@tobymummert3035]

Hey Pete! Thanks for the video #1- Some Girls (This is the biggest selling studio Rolling Stones album of all time not counting the compilation Hot Rocks. Some Girls sold 11.3 million worldwide and for good reason and that's why it is at #1) The the album is just loaded with different styles of music Plus a major tip of the hat to punk rock! It is indeed my absolute favorite and it is the most consistent Rolling Stones album from top to bottom. It's just so much fucking fun! #2- It's Only Rock and Roll, but I like it #3- Sticky Fingers #4- Beggars Banquet #5- Their satanic Majesties Request......

[@johnmolvar5026]

yes, also my number one

[@ruipedro4195]

When you are "I can´t get no satisfaction" or "She´s so Cold" maybe you need a "She was Hot".

[@alonzosmith1843]

I’m always mesmerized by Pete’s wall of shelves of CD’s. It reminds me of my CD collection but he might have even more than I own lol. Thanks for the great content, Pete.