Best Rolling Stones Spiritual Songs
By Frank Hamedl on 20 April 2019
"Let there be hope; hope in your heart"
After reading this article's title, the first thing that probably popped into your head is "how can 'The Rolling Stones' and 'spiritual' be in the same sentence?" Yes, the band that is commonly known for being "the bad boys of Rock" and produced content with darker themes ("Sympathy for the Devil," "Their Satanic Majesties Requests," and "Voodoo Lounge"), is actually one of the most Spiritual Classic Rock bands. Throughout the years, The Rolling Stones created many songs that have religious themes, references to scripture, and are straight up gospel songs. Let's take a look!
(All quotes are from Mick Jagger)
"Lord I miss you"
10. Let it Loose - Exile on Main St.
During the Exile era, The Stones were at the peak of their plunge into southern gospel/soul. Mick Jagger became inspired after attending services of Reverend James Cleveland, and this track can certainly portray that. "Let it Loose" is a sentimental gospel blues ballad that has a powerful religious church feel. Within the opening seconds of Keith's ghostly and mysterious guitar riff transports you into a moment of stillness. While the song is ultimately about a relationship that will undoubtedly end soon with devastation, the song's gospel choir creates a sense of crying out to the Lord. This song could be one of Mick's best vocal achievements (reached around 1:27, 1:55, 3:17, 4:33) as you can hear the suffering in his voice, and can hear him letting go of the pain and breaking down.
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"Let it Loose" displays the emotional pain of a failed relationship and loneliness, it remains one of The Stones most alluring and soothing songs that can easily relax ones soul.
"In the bar you're getting drunk, oh yeah yeah; Ain't in love, ain't in luck, oh no no no;
Keep those tears hid out of sight; Lord, Let it Loose, let it all come down"
9. Salt of the Earth - Beggar's Banquet
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"Salt of the Earth" happens to be one of the band's first forays into gospel. It features a beautiful soul of the Watts Street Gospel Choir (no relation to Charlie Watts) and is about respecting the hard working people who are not always appreciated. Matthew 5:13 comes quickly to mind: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." The song certainly pays homage to this quote; and it is interesting as the 16th verse of the chapter states that "In the same way, let your light shine before others" a reference to The Stones song Shine a Light, which we will dive into shortly.
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This song reminds us the importance of prayer and to always pray for others, including the salt of the earth.
"Sing a prayer for the common foot soldier. Spare a thought for his back breaking work."
8. Worried About You - Tattoo You
One common theme in life that everyone experiences is worry. "Worried About You" echos that through worrying about a girl, through the emotional toll of being left behind. Mick sings in a falsetto voice which creates a soulful performance capturing a stance in life where we feel worried, lost, and full of anxiety. Interesting enough, Mick cries out to the Lord numerous times. As the song progresses, Mick's attitude seems to change about worrying why his girl left, to throwing faith in the Lord. He still feels lost, but becomes worrying about her physical well being and having confidence everything will work out ("Worried about you, child... I'm sure as hell gonna find that girl some day"). We all feel lost at times, but with trust, our paths will become straight.
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"Till then I'm worried, Lord, I just can't seem to find my way"
7. Winter - Goat's Head Soup
"Winter" is one of the most dominant soul songs post Exile on Main St. The lyrics paint a picture of a hard winter season in life and looking optimistic for the next seasons. "It sure been a cold, cold winter, Lord; My feet been dragging cross the ground; And I hope it's gonna be a long, hot summer; And a lotta love will be burning bright."
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Through his forceful vocal performance, Mick truly portrays this soul feel by even sniffing like he has a cold, or holding back from weeping due to his pain (at 00:53, 1:49, 4:51). Mick even features religious references, as he and he soulfully cries out "Lord" numerous times. At 2:21 he sobs "I've been burning my bell, book, and candle" -- noting Latin Christian excommunication and going into exile. (Most interesting, this reference is just after the Exile on Main St. sessions.) "Winter" describes getting though a tough a physical winter, as well as an allusion to difficult seasons or trials in life. We are reminded that even if we are in a dark and rough season, there is always hope that our next season will be bright and full of love.
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"Oh, sometimes I cry about you, Lord"
6. You Gotta Move - Sticky Finers
Over the years, The Stones have covered numerous blues songs and "You Gotta Move" might be one of the most fascinating. The origin of the song dates back to the 1940s as a African-American spiritual song about God being in-control of everyone's fate. With numerous renditions of the song, The Stones version was most inspired by blues-man Mississippi Fred McDowell with the lyrics mostly focusing on the fact that no matter where you are in life, God is in control and you must follow Him.
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"But when the Lord gets ready, you gotta move"
5. I Just Want to See His Face - Exile on Main St.
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Another gospel track from the Exile era, "I Just Want to See His Face" originally started as a jam and became an awesome gospel blues song. While it focuses mostly on its instrumental side, the lyrics show someone down, who wants to be loved, and wants to see and experience the presence of Jesus (more than just talk about, but to actually see). The song can be best described by musician Bill Janovitz in one sentence: "It sounds ancient and from another planet; a swampy, stompy gospel song that was recorded to intentionally sound as if it is a field recording document of a long-ago church basement revival meeting."
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"You don't want to walk and talk about Jesus, You just want to see his face"
4. Far Away Eyes - Some Girls
Inspired by 1950's California Bakersfield country-western music, "Far Away Eyes" is easily one of the best country songs ever recorded, even with its sarcastic tone. It portrays dealing with the loneliness of life by driving alone, listening to the radio while praising God, and thinking about the possibilities of finding true love: "I was driving home early Sunday morning through Bakersfield, listening to gospel music on the colored radio station. And the preacher said, 'You know you always have the Lord by your side' And I was so pleased to be informed of this that I ran twenty red lights in his honor." This country tune teaches us that if we trust in God, everything will work out; as there will be a season of blessing after our time of loneliness and waiting.
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Eventually, hope and God's faithfulness is shown with a positive ending: "Well the preacher kept right on saying that all I had to do was send ten dollars to the church of the sacred bleeding heart of Jesus, located somewhere in Los Angeles, California. And next week they'd say my prayer on the radio and all my dreams would come true. So I did. The next week, I got a prayer with a girl."
"You know, you always have the Lord on your side... Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord"
3. Saint of Me - Bridges to Babylon
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"Saint of Me" might be one of the most religious songs in The Stones catalog and features many Biblical stories and themes. Included is the death of John the Baptist (Mathew 14: 1-12) and references of converting to Christianity after encounters with God: "Saint Paul the persecutor was a cruel and sinful man. Jesus hit him with a blinding light - and then his life began" (taken from Acts 9:1-19). Unfortunately, Mick admits that the same won't happen to him ("And I do believe in miracles, and I want to save my soul. And I know that I'm a sinner, I'm gonna die here in the cold ... You'll never make a saint of me.") This is ironic, as God can use anyone to make them into a disciple and believer. Regardless, Mick certainly ad to do a lot of research for this song!
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"Could you stand the torture? Could you stand the pain?
Could you put your faith in Jesus when your burning in the flames? I say yes!"
2. You Can't Always Get What You Want - Let it Bleed
Featuring the famous London Bach Choir, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is a perfect adaption into the gospel genre. The song's musical atmosphere created is certainly some of the most spiritual, smoothing, and fulfilling ever recorded. While the lyrics the topics of love, rebellion, and drugs, there is a bigger meaning, and a major life lesson here. Often in life, we can not get what our flesh wants in the physical world. However, God will always provide for us what we actually need, even when we might not see that we need.
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"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes,
you just might find, you get what you need"
1. Shine a Light- Exile on Main St.
Finishing up this list is "Shine a Light," written about the downfall and in remembrance of The Stones founder Brian Jones. Here, Brian is finally at peace as he lifted up to heaven while God shines his infamous light: "With smiles on their faces and a gleam right in their eyes. Whoa, thought I heard one sigh for you, Come on up, Come on up now." Like many songs in the Exile era, this was inspired by gospel and spiritual music. The song's tempo is cleverly designed to change multiple times; starting quiet and slow, and becoming more upbeat with the choir during the chorus when we "come on up" to God's presence. Some Bible verses mention God's light including Numbers 6:24-25 ("The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you") and Mathew 5:16 ("In the same way, let your light shine before others").
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We are shown that God's warm and loving light is always shown in every circumstance in life.
"May the good Lord shine a light on you; warm, like the evening sun"