This article was updated on 21st February to include the Stones’ latest album Blue and Lonesome.
Where to begin when ranking one of the greatest rock bands of all time? Do you look at their most enduring hits? Their commercial successes? The best of their experimental achievements?
Looking at the Rolling Stones, specifically, means a little bit of everything. Their discography, rooted in their signature British blues sound, is like a generational flipbook dating back to the ‘60s.
Keith Richards and his legendary guitar riffs are an important factor to consider, as are Sir Mick Jagger’s vocals and the iconic energy he brought to shows.
If you really want to talk about the Stones best work, it’s on “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, the song released merely as a single, independent from all their albums (on Rolling Stones in Mono in 2016).
Of course, their decades-long discography has plenty of original shining moments. Everyone will argue their favourite, but when you look to where the Stones did their strongest and most noteworthy work, it starts here at number one:
1. Beggar’s Banquet (1968)
Beggar’s Banquet rescued the Rolling Stones from the psychedelic rabbit hold of “Their Satanic Majesties Request.” It’s also the final album featuring band founder Brian Jones. This album is the Stones in their truest, most original form; a blueprint they’d return to throughout their career.
BB opens with “Sympathy for the Devil”–an enduring classic all its own–and brings listeners on a historic journey. You’ll pass by one of Richard’s best riffs (“Street Fighting Man”) and end up at “Salt of the Earth,” featuring a rare glimpse at Richards on lead vocals. It’s a true rock album masterpiece; the sounds of a whole and synergistic band.
2. Exile on Main Street (1972)
When it comes to fans and their top Stones albums, Exile is often in the top spot. This work shows crazed creativity at its finest–and some of the Stones shining moments, including dazzling guitar on “Rocks Off” and the unforgettable “Shake Your Hips.”
3. Aftermath (1966)
There are differences between the UK and US version of this album, but it was all entirely written by Richards and Jagger, and was their first glimpse at greatness. This album brought us iconic songs like “Paint It, Black” and “Under My Thumb.”
4. Sticky Fingers (1971)
No denying Sticky Fingers is popular, but there are certain moments that make it one of the greats. This album, written by Mick and Keith, has airtight highlights, including “Wild Horses,” while the iconic (and controversial) “Brown Sugar” is the brainchild of Mick Jagger himself. It went No. 1 in the UK and US.
5. Out of Our Heads (1965)
Here you get some of the most popular rock songs of all time–even from those who can’t identify the songs as the Stones. Jagger said he didn’t want to be singing “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by the time he was 45–but the fans had kept it alive and he’s still singing it well into his 70s.
6. Between the Buttons (1967)
While the world (and the band) still had Brian Jones, they made some groundbreaking achievements on BTB. Jones’ interest in other instruments inspired the introduction of instruments outside of the traditional rock lineup, including organ and kazoo. The versions differ in UK and US release, but standout songs from this era include “Ruby Tuesday” and “Yesterday’s Papers.”
7. Goat’s Head Soup (1973)
This tends to be a fan favourite: an album which introduced the world to the beautiful “Angie.”
This was also a time of deep drug experimentation and conflict between bandmates. But if Fleetwood Mac taught us anything, it’s that drama makes for some truly enduring music.
8. Some Girls (1978)
The highlights on this album are “Beast of Burden” and “Respectable.” It was a hit in its day, and remains a shining example of that eclectic Rolling Stones sound.
9. Tattoo You (1981)
Don’t call it a compilation! Most of the songs here were outtakes recorded years earlier. “Start Me Up” gives us another legendary Richard’s riff on a now-classic Stones song. There’s plenty more to discover throughout the tracklist on this well-received and enduring work.
10. Let it Bleed (1969)
Following up on Beggar’s Banquet wasn’t going to be easy, but then they wrote “Gimme Shelter.” This song is an undeniable Stones achievement, and the very last glimpse of Brian Jones (before he was replaced, halfway through recording, by Mick Taylor). LIB also gave us “Honky Tonk Woman,” which might not be a crowning achievement but sure is a lot of fun.
11. Emotional Rescue (1980)
The recording of this album led to a huge archive of songs. Some of those that didn’t make the cut here ended up on Tattoo You the following year. As such, if Tattoo You is a hit, then the blues-vibe on Emotional Rescue is to thank.
12. Steel Wheels (1989)
This album was notable for putting the Stones back on track. The album opens with energy that it holds onto, more or less, throughout. It was the point in time for Mick and Keith squashed their beef, leading them back down the track of synergistic songwriting.
13. Voodoo Lounge (1994)
Made without a fifth bandmate on bass (Bill Wyman having left in 1991 and the role being filled on a contract basis), this album was received with a whiplash of feedback. Critics weren’t thrilled with it, but the Grammy’s felt otherwise. It received the very first Best Rock Album award in 1995.
14. A Bigger Bang (2005)
The millennium was a death sentence for many music makers of the past era–except for the Stones. It was their first Y2K project, and marked their return to themselves in terms of composition.
Many achievements came with ABB. Keith and Mick wrote it together. Rolling Stone magazine gave it 4.5 stars on release and put it as the second best album of the year (behind Kanye West’s Late Registration). Martin Scorcese directed the tour documentary. Fans flocked to their shows for the two years they toured–but it’s probably safe to say it was the old music they hoped to hear (almost definitely including “Satisfaction”; sorry Mick.)
15. Blue & Lonesome (2016)
The blues are deeply ingrained in the ethos of the Rolling Stones, so it’s unsurprising this album happened. What’s most interesting about it is the fact that, for unoriginal songs, it’s a completely honest compilation. The Stones have made playing classic blues a habit of warming up and winding down. When it came time to record the songs for their latest album, they did so in just four days. Most fans love it for the fact that the album is the Stones having pure fun. There’s not much incredibly unique about it, although Mick Jagger on the harmonica is certainly a highlight.
16. It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (1974)
“Ain’t too Proud to Beg” is the highlight here. Everything else is really only okay rock ‘n’ roll.
17. Bridges to Babylon (1997)
Richards had some vocal moments on this album where the band attempted to blend into pop. Overall, the audience didn’t bite.
18. Undercover (1983)
Undercover is the product of true tension. It was written by Keith and Mick, and the angst is palpable in songs like “Too Much Blood.” Plenty of guest musicians make an appearance on this aptly titled album, from which no major singles emerged. Critics were split in their opinions, and it never reached number one on the charts.
19. Black and Blue (1976)
Black and Blue is the Stones in their feelings. You’ll get plenty of moody, gloomy lyrics and funk-inspired melodies on this album. It’s important song making, and almost entirely written by Keith and Mick, even if both of them were feeling bruised and battered at the time.
20. 12 x 5 (1964)
Throughout their career, they’ve proven to love a good cover song. Here, they do “Under the Boardwalk.” In the words of Forrest Gump: “and that’s all I have to say about that.”
21. Dirty Work (1986)
During the writing of this album, the bandmates were truly disjointed. Jagger was disinterested, Keith was unwell, and keyboardist Ian Stewart had just tragically died. Sir Mick Jagger himself said “[Dirty Work] wasn’t that good.”
22. December’s Children (And Everybody’s) (1965)
This album is more a collection of songs than a stylistic album of its own. The highlight here is the original “She Said Yeah.”
23. Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
Plenty of fans and writers will argue that this album is “so much more than a Sgt. Pepper’s rip off.” Considering it came the very same year and had a much less lasting impression, for our purposes, we’ll minimize it to such. If it’s below what The Beatles did in the same vein, it’s below the Stones.
24. The Rolling Stones (England’s Newest Hit Makers) (1964)
Their debut album has its merits, yes. There were two versions of this album: one in the US and one in the UK. It came during the British Blues Boom–and the Stones proved to bleed the blues throughout their career. It was somewhat of a love letter to R&B, tipping their hat to Chuck Berry (on on “Carol”), Bobby Troup (“Route 66”), and Willie Dixon (“I Just Wanna Make Love to You”).
Though it is unforgettable (Robert Dimery’s 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die), it’s also slightly unexciting, and almost entirely unoriginal save for “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back)” (UK).
25. The Rolling Stones No. 2 (1965)
Another cover compilation that came as Keith and Mick started practising song making on their own. A step for the band, but hardly an example of their legendary music-making.
26. The Rolling Stones Now (1965)
Last in order on our list is The Rolling Stones Now. This album was the first chance for the Stones to test the American appetite for their music. It’s predominantly composed of covers, repeats from No. 2, with a handful of originals that are, unfortunately, very average.
