Best Rolling Stones Blues Songs
By Frank Hamedl on 20 April 2020
"If you don't know the blues, there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing
rock and roll or any other form of popular music" - Keith Richards
The Rolling Stones, also known as “The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band in the World,” is more than just a rock n’ roll band. The band started off as a few blues enthusiasts who wanted to share their passion to the world. Blues brought Mick Jagger and Keith Richards together at the Dartford Train Station, and they lead the modern blues revival. Even their name is based on the iconic blues song “Rollin’ Stone” by Muddy Watters. Describing the driving force behind the band, Keith Richards stated: "We never wanted to make pop music. Our puritanical mission was to turn other people onto the blues."
With over 58 years of dozens of blues songs, we will outline the best Rolling Stones blues songs – broken up by covers and originals, written by The Glimmer Twins – to prove that The Stones are also “The greatest blues band in the world.”
With over 58 years of dozens of blues songs, we will outline the best Rolling Stones blues songs – broken up by covers and originals, written by The Glimmer Twins – to prove that The Stones are also “The greatest blues band in the world.”
"When The Stones are at their best, they’re an incredible blues band" – Jack White
Top Rolling Stones Blues Covers Songs
15. Blue & Lonesome - Blue & Lonesome
Original Artist: Little Walter It shouldn’t be a surprise that the first song, along with many other songs on this list, is from the album Blue & Lonesome. The definitive Stones blues album is a knockout. It received the 2018 Grammy award for Best Traditional Blues Album and Jazz FMs album of the year. The title track delivers above expectations and sets up one of the best blues albums ever recorded.
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“Baby please, come on back to me. Yeah, my heart is full of misery”
14. I Just Want to Make Love to You - England's Newest Hitmakers
Original Artist: Muddy Watters In their debut album, The Stones mostly covered classic blues songs from the 1940s-1960s. A standout from the album, “I Just Want to Make Love to You” started it all for The Stones – they took classic blues standards and gave them a run for their money. When describing the song, Keith Richards stated: “We knew we would never play like Muddy, so let’s juke it up and we did it real fast.”
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“I don't want 'cause I'm sad and blue, I just want to make love to you"
13. Mona - The Rolling Stones
Original Artist: Bo Diddley Another early blues cover, “Mona (I Need You Baby)” featured a dark, gritty melody that made The Stones standout from other blues artists. Another version of it, released on the album On Air, featured a more upbeat, cleaner, and light filled track. Both adaptations demonstrate that The Stones can record the same song in different forms, with each time knocking it out of the park.
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“I need you baby that's no lie; without your love I'd surely die"
12. Cops & Robbers - On Air
Original Artist: Bo Diddley When released in 2017, On Air gave Stones fans a blast from the past featuring the best of 1960s blues. It showcased new live cuts and some unreleased tracks like “Cops & Robbers”. Recorded live in 1964 for Blues in Rhythm radio show, this hidden gem features a groovy rhythm lead by Brian Jones’ harmonica and an unrecognizable Mick Jagger accent as he describes a close call with a burglar.
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“Don't you try no monkey business, I got a stopper in my hand"
11. Rock Me Baby - Sticky Fingers (Live)
Original Artist: B.B. King Recorded just a week after “The King of the Blues” passed away, The Stones played this live as the ultimate tribute to B.B. King. King, a major influence to the band, left a major impact on them throughout their careers. It’s no surprise this song became one of the most recorded blues songs of all time, and out of all the renditions, this might be the best.
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“I want you to rock me baby, like my back ain't got no bone"
10. You Gotta Move - Sticky Fingers
Original Artist: Mississippi Fred McDowell Originally recorded in the 1940s as a spiritual gospel song, “You Gotta Move” evolved into a hill country blues, before The Stones took a more straightforward blues approach. This rendition works so well because The Stones are not afraid to take risks in their blues covers – and their risks often pay off with big accomplishments.
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“But when the Lord gets ready, you gotta move on”
9. All of Your Love - Blue & Lonesome
Original Artist: Magic Sam “All of Your Love” might be one of the slowest and sinister blues Stones songs released. Pain and misery can be heard in Mick Jagger’s voice, which is haunted by a somber guitar rhythm. “All of Your Love” proves that sometimes slower is better.
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“I hate to be the one, the one you left behind"
8. Little Red Rooster - The Rolling Stones, Now!
Original Artist: Howlin' Wolf “Little Red Rooster” went down in history as the essential Brian Jones song. Jones dazzles on this song, with a stellar slide guitar performance, mimicking the animals Jagger describes. In the outro, the dynamic between the slide guitar and harmonica makes this blues standard more superior than any other rendering.
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“If you see my little red rooster, please drive him home"
7. Shake Your Hips - Exile on Main St.
Original Artist: Slim Harpo Exile on Main St. features many genres, including rock and roll, country, and gospel. However, it’s the record’s blues songs that shine like a warm, bright light. Thanks to Mick Jagger’s southern accent, it sounds like something lost from the 1950s. The shuffle rhythm sticks in your head and probably influenced the southern/blues rock classic “La Grange” by ZZ Top.
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“Do the hip shake, babe"
6. Love In Vain - Let it Bleed
Original Artist: Robert Johnson This acoustic country blues captures a somber attitude of a train leaving the station as a metaphor for losing your love. Lead by Charlie Watts’ drum rhythm, it encompasses one of the best acoustic and slide guitar solo performances by Keith Richards. He once described it as “a beautiful song. Mick and I both loved it.”
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“I felt so sad so lonesome, that I could not help but cry"
5. Champagne & Reefer (Live) - Shine a Light
Original Artist: Muddy Watters
The Stones first played this live with Muddy Watters and Buddy Guy in 1981 at the Checkerboard Lounge. However, it got mainstream when The Stones played it again with Buddy Guy live in 2006 for the film/album Shine A Light in a historic performance, where he’s called Buddy Motherfu**king Guy. This features some of the best guitar weaving captured on recording, and a stellar dynamic between Guy's guitar and Jagger’s harmonica. Buddy Guy gives a grand slam performance that proves he’s one of the best guitarists that ever lived. Ronnie Wood trembles when hearing Guy’s voice, and he even struggles when trying to keep up with him. Also, after the song, Keith Richards gives Guy his guitar to keep, which Guy took and placed in his blues club, Buddy Guy’s Legends, in Chicago. This might be the best thing that Martin Scorsese ever got on film.
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“Bring me champagne when I'm thirsty, bring me a reefer when I wanna get high...
Every time I get high, I wanna lay my head down on my baby's breasts"
4. I Can't Quit You Baby - Blue & Lonesome
Original Artist: Otis Rush Two words: Eric Clapton. Clapton, who was in the same studio recording his own album when The Stones were recording Blue & Lonesome, decided to swing by to make a cameo. This made this rendition breathtaking, with his incredibly smooth guitar solos, along with Jagger’s overboard accent (including his “yessss”). The Stones give the Led Zeppelin’s superb cover a run for its money.
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“I'm so tired baby, I want to lay down and cry.
Yes, you’re my only woman, you're my only heart desire"
3. I Gotta Go - Blue & Lonesome
Original Artist: Little Walter After Mick counts down the start of the first beat (“one, two, three, four), “I Gotta Go” takes listeners on a wild, upbeat blues trip. Jagger’s bombastic, out of control harp acts as lead guitar, while Richards plays his guitar sly in the background. It combines true blues lyrics, but creates jubilant emotions that make listeners want to put this song on repeat for hours on end.
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“I ain't seen my baby and the evening sun going down.
I've got the blues and my baby can't be found"
2. Little Rain - Blue & Lonesome
Original Artist: Jimmy Reed From the first note played, “Little Rain” sets up one of the grimmest tracks The Stones recorded. At the halfway mark, Jagger begins his harmonica solo and Richards’ guitar floats hauntingly in the background. The Stones create a gloomy, melancholy theme that immerses listeners and sends shivers down your spine.
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“I would like to love you baby, underneath the shinin' moon"
1. Stop Breaking Down - Exile on Main St.
Original Artist: Robert Johnson “Stop Breaking Down” encompasses many of the themes that make Exile on Main St. the greatest album ever recorded. Recorded in a muddy atmosphere, this blues cover creates a magic hard to match. The last minute and half is a superb blues jam session that makes this track the perfect Exile song.
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“Every time I'm walking all down the street, some pretty woman starts breaking down on me."
Top Original Rolling Stones Blues Songs
15. Keep Up Blues - Some Girls (Deluxe Edition) The 2011 re-release of Some Girls (Deluxe Edition) consists mainly of splendid country tunes, but fans got blessed with some blues tracks including “Petrol Blues” and “Keep Up Blues.” The Stones recorded the latter originally in 1978 as an outtake. However, in 2011, Jagger frankensteined it together with new lyrics and a catchy groove.
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“You've got to keep up, baby, keep up with the times"
14. I'm Not Signifying - Exile on Main St. (Deluxe Edition)
Similar to Some Girls (Deluxe Edition), the Exile on Main St. 2010 re-release tried to capture the magic of the original with new outtakes from the Exile days. Most of the new songs focus on the soul/gospel elements that were prominent during the original album. However, blues outtake “I’m Not Signifying” fits the Exile theme perfectly, with Jagger’s sloppy and lazy lyrics and a driving force from the prominent horns of Jim Price and the late Bobby Keys.
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“Honey I've been lying, Honey I've been jiving"
13. Hide Your Love - Goats Head Soup This hidden gem from Goats Head Soup sounds like a leftover track from the Exile days. “Hide Your Love” gleams from not one, but two Mick Taylor solos, where Jagger introduces him as “boy” and “little man.” Jagger makes a surprise cameo on piano – which adds extra weight to the solos and a neat edition to the bands catalog.
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“Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down"
12. Laugh, I Nearly Died - A Bigger Bang The hard rock feel of A Bigger Bang bleeds through on this blues ballad. The poetic lyrics create a palpable emotion of loneliness and traveling with no destination. The last 30 seconds create a unique and powerful ending that will drive listeners to repeat it dozens of times.
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“But this kind of loneliness is way too hard. I've been wandering, feeling all alone.
I lost my direction and I lost my home"
11. No Expectations - Beggars Banquet At first glimpse, “No Expectations” sounds like a Robert Johnson cover. But this Glimmer Twin original relaxing ballad was one of Brian Jones final contributions to the band before his passing. The acoustic slide guitar is a beautiful and sentimental, and a fitting departure to Jones, as the band transitioned to a new era of The Stones.
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“But never in my sweet short life have I felt like this before…
Our love is like our music – it’s here, and then it’s gone"
10. I Got the Blues - Sticky Fingers The Stones certainly have the blues on this slow, Otis Redding inspired soul/blues fusion track. Billy Preston’s organ solo makes this track a standout and highly heartfelt, as listeners get lost in the blues.
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“Feelin' low down, and blue... Love is a bed full of blues"
9. Back of My Hand - A Bigger Bang Another surprise from A Bigger Bang, “Back of My Hand” is 100% a Jagger formation, as he performs lead vocals, slide guitar, harmonica, bass, and percussion. Too bad The Stones did not perform this more live on tour and have Richards take on the guitar line. Listen from 1:35 to 2:30 – it is pure blues gold.
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“I see love, I see misery”
8. Ventilator Blues - Exile on Main St. “Ventilator Blues” is the only Stones song where Mick Taylor gets writing credit. However, it’s actually Nicky Hopkins piano that luster’s out of Keith Richard’s basement, where the song was crafted. The Stones mimic the sound of an effortless jam, with a hint of ghostly voodoo that makes everyone play on this track like dangerous madmen.
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“Your woman's cussing, you can hear her scream;
You feel like murder in the first degree.”
7. Casino Boogie - Exile on Main St. “Casino Boogie” is chiefly known for the style the lyrics were written – by writing each line on a piece of paper, putting them in a hat, and randomly selecting them. While the lyrics contain bizarre craziness, it’s the effortless instrumentals that create this iconic boogie rhythm. The Bobby Keys sax solo and Mick Taylor’s guitar jam at the end masterfully encompasses the Exile sound.
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“Wounded lover got no time on hand… Kissing c**t in Cannes”
6. Fancy Man Blues - Rarities 1971-2003 Recorded during the Steel Wheels days, this straight-up, deep-cut blues track takes a simple, laid back approach – and it works marvelously. Here, The Stones totally transform into a blues band through Jagger’s raspy vocals and bombastic harmonica performance. It’s a shame this was not released on Steel Wheels – it would have made that middling album substantially better.
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“You're looking good baby, I love to see my baby smile.
You say you love me now, but you've got a fancy man on the side"
5. The Spider & the Fly - Stripped Originally released in 1965, “The Spider & the Fly” reached a new level when The Stones recorded a live acoustic cut in the studio and released on the Stripped album. The song uses superb imagery of what the band does after a gig, and the tragic downfall of cheating, as another woman gets caught in their webs.
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“Smoking, moping, maybe just hopin' some little girl will pass on by"
4. Slave - Tattoo You “Slave” is mostly an instrumental jam, filled with Jagger’s bluesy moans and a forceful rhythm groove, heard constantly in the background. Thanks to Jazz legend Sonny Rollins, and one of Keith Richards’ best guitar solos, this is hands down some of the best work from The Stones during the 1980’s.
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“Do it, do it, do it, do it – Don't wanna be your slave"
3. Sway - Sticky Fingers This slow and dark blues rocker is a force to be reckoned with. Highlighted by its outro guitar solo, it’s easily one of Mick Taylor’s best solos. The sting arrangement and piano make it more epic and grand, while adding character and emotional feeling. The last minute of the song sends shivers down listeners' spines and gets better with every listening.
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“It's just that demon life has got me in its sway”
2. Midnight Rambler - Let it Bleed
Regarded as one of The Stones best pieces, Keith Richards’ calls this self described “Blues opera” so good that “nobody else could have written that song.” The track, that follows a serial killer, seems haunted, futuristic, or even from another dimension through its tempo changes – which is even more bombastic when performed live. 2:20 to 4:27 simply proves Mick Jagger as the greatest harmonica player of his generation, and Keith Richards as the most creative and clever guitarist of all time.
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“I'll stick my knife right down your throat, baby; And it hurts!”
1. Can't You Hear Me Knocking - Sticky Fingers
From the moment of the first guitar lick, the blues epic combines many elements from jazz and rock. The groovy masterpiece features the best guitar riffs of all time, an impeccable Bobby Keys saxophone solo, and Mick Taylor’s incredibly smooth bluesy guitar solo. “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” simply becomes some of The Stones best work over the past 58 years.
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“I've been begging on my knees; I've been kickin', help me please"