Any rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame, any two cool kids hanging outside a bar swapping music stories about excess and partying, any Dad in jeans ironed with a crease or any aspiring teenage rock star with a guitar slung around their neck and stars in their eyes know exactly who the Rolling Stones are. Someone loves music fans too, as the Rolling Stones will be performing at Hyde Park in London on the 6th July 2013 (tickets available here).
The Rolling Stones formed in London in 1962. The current line up is lead singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, and guitarists Ronnie Wood and Mick Taylor. I hardly need tell you of their fabulous and varied history of a career that spans decades.
Here is, in my opinion, the top five Rolling Stones songs
5. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
This song was released in 1965. It was written by Mick and Keith and has a distinctive three-note guitar riff. The lyrics refer to sexual frustration and commercialism. The song was first released as a single in June 1965 and was the first number 1 for the Stones in the US. The song was initially only played on pirate radio stations in the states due to the sexually suggestive lyrics. The song was eventually the 4th number 1 for the Stones in the UK, and Rolling Stone magazine placed it as number 2 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Extra Fact: The guitar riff was originally planned to be replaced by horns
http://youtu.be/8_VbImuG71M&h=480&w=620
4. Miss You
Miss You was written by Mick and Keith and released as a single in 1978. The record reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. An extended “Special Disco Version” was released on a 12 inch single. The song was conceived over quite a period of time and the bass line was put together by Bill Wyman visiting quite a few dance clubs before he found the perfect mix. Mick sang the falsetto “ooh’s” in unison with a harmonica, guitar and electric piano.
Extra fact: The song was originally meant to be a disco song
http://youtu.be/hic-dnps6MU&h=480&w=620
3. Start Me Up
Start Me Up was released on the 1981 album “Tattoo You”. It was released as the albums lead single and reached number 1 in the Australian charts, number 2 on the US and number 7 in the UK.
The song was originally supposed to be a reggae song but after several attempts to re-record it the band shelved it as they found they couldn’t make it work. Thank goodness they stuck with it and did, and the song has become a staple of their live shows.
Extra fact: Producer Chris Kimsey has commented “After they cut it, I said “That’s bloody great! Come and listen…” However, when I played it back, Keith said “Nah, it sounds like something I’ve heard on the radio. Wipe it.” Of course….I didn’t…”
http://youtu.be/SGyOaCXr8Lw&h=480&w=620
2. Wild Horses
Wild Horses was written by Mick and Keith and is featured on their 1971 album Sticky Fingers. It was ranked at number 334 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in Rolling Stone Magazine.
Mick wrote in the 1993 liner notes of the album Jump Back that this song was not about Marianne Faithfull (his ex girlfriend). It has been stated by both Mick and Keith that the song is actually about being on the road so much with a band, and being so far away from home. The chords on the guitar parts played by Mick Taylor are tuned one octave higher, to enhance the melancholy sound.
Extra fact: The song took only 3 days to record.
http://youtu.be/EhVLiHPUOIM&h=480&w=620
1. Gimme Shelter
Gimme Shelter is the opening track to the 1969 album Let It Bleed. The song was originally spelt “Gimmie” on the album, but subsequently the spelling has been corrected.
The song was written by Mick and Keith. The band said it was a reaction to the era it was written in, with violence on screens everywhere. Mick has commented that the song feels like the end of the world. The female voal is sung by Merry Clayton and was the producers idea, and remains to this date one of the most prolific female contributions to a Rolling Stones song.
Extra fact: Merry’s name was spelt incorrectly on the liner notes, crediting her as “Mary”.
http://youtu.be/R3rnxQBizoU&h=480&w=620
If you fancy going to see the Rolling Stones at Hyde Park, and quite frankly, who doesn’t, please click here to get your tickets to see the Rolling Stones http://www.stubhub.co.uk/rolling-stones-tickets.
