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Rolling Stones: Their 50 Best Songs Ranked

The Rolling Stones, nearly six decades after first forming, remain one of the most popular bands in the world.

Rolling Stones
Scott Gries/Getty Images

The Rolling Stones, nearly six decades after first forming, remain one of the most popular bands in the world.

From the '60s to the present, the Stones' catalog features some of rock's most iconic and influential tracks of all time. In celebration of "The World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band," here are the Rolling Stones' 50 best songs ranked.

What's New with the Rolling Stones?

The Rolling Stones have an eventful 2024 ahead of them. The iconic band will be hitting the road in North America in support of their latest album, Hackney Diamonds, which was released in October 2023. Their 2024 tour dates are as follows:

  • April 28th - Houston, TX - NRG Stadium (Gary Clark Jr.)
  • May 2nd - New Orleans, LA - Nola Jazz Fest
  • May 7th - Glendale, AZ - State Farm Stadium (Carin Leon/Electric Mud)
  • May 11th - Las Vegas NV - Allegiant Stadium (The Pretty Reckless)
  • May 15th - Seattle, WA - Lumen Field (Joe Bonamassa)
  • May 23rd - East Rutherford, NJ - Metlife Stadium (TBA)
  • May 26th - East Rutherford, NJ - Metlife Stadium (Lawrence)
  • May 30th - Foxboro, MA (Near Boston) - Gillette Stadium (The Red Clay Strays)
  • June 3rd - Orlando, FL - Camping World Stadium (Tyler Childers)
  • June 7th - Atlanta, GA - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Ghost Hounds)
  • June 11th - Philadelphia, PA - Lincoln Financial Field (KALEO)
  • June 15th - Cleveland, OH - Cleveland Browns Stadium (Ghost Hounds)
  • June 20th - Denver, CO - Empower Field at Mile High (Widespread Panic)
  • June 27th - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field (Bettye LaVette)
  • June 30th - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field (Lainey Wilson)
  • July 5th - Vancouver, BC - BC Place (Ghost Hounds)
  • July 10th - Los Angeles, CA - SOFI Stadium (The War and Treaty)
  • July 13th - Los Angeles, CA - SOFI Stadium (The Linda Lindas)
  • July 17th - Santa Clara, CA - Levi's Stadium (The Beaches)

Hackney Diamonds, of course, was their first studio album of original material since 2005's A Bigger Bang. The Stones announced the album in a press conference in September 2023 hosted by Jimmy Fallon.

During the press conference, Mick Jagger said of the album, "We wouldn’t be putting this out now if we didn’t really like it. We didn’t want to make just any record and put it out. So we wanted to make a record."

Jagger added, "Before we went in, we said we all want to make a record that we really love, ourselves. People may like it, other people may not. But we must say this, we are quite pleased with it. … We hope you’ll like it."

Hackney Diamonds features some big guests. Ronnie Wood said during the presser that Lady Gaga sings on the track "Sweet Sounds of Heaven." He also dropped Stevie Wonder's name but didn't specify what track he'd be on. Late drummer Charlie Watts is featured on two tracks with one of them being "Live By the Sword."

Keith Richards provides vocals on "Tell Me Straight." He playfully said of the song, "I can tell you straight that I have no idea what it's about. He [pointing to Jagger] tried to steal it, so it must be good."

50. “Stop Breaking Down” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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49. “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” - ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll’ (1974)

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48. “As Tears Go By” - ‘December’s Children (And Everybody’s)’ (1965)

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47. “Mother’s Little Helper” - ‘Aftermath’ (1966)

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46. “You Got Me Rocking” - ‘Voodoo Lounge’ (1994)

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45. “I’m Free” - ‘December’s Children (And Everybody’s)’ (1965)

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44. “Get Off of My Cloud” - ‘December’s Children (And Everybody’s)’ (1965)

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43. “Anybody Seen My Baby?” - ‘Bridges to Babylon’ (1997)

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42. “Love Is Strong” - ‘Voodoo Lounge’ (1994)

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41. “All Down the Line” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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40. “Shattered” - ‘Some Girls’ (1978)

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39. “Doom and Gloom” - ‘GRRR!’ (2012)

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38. “She’s a Rainbow” - ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’ (1967)

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37. “Shake Your Hips” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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36. “Sweet Black Angel” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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35. “Star Star” - ‘Goats Head Soup’ (1973)

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34. “Rip This Joint” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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33. “Torn and Frayed” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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32. “Loving Cup” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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31. “Sweet Virginia” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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30. “Salt of the Earth” - ‘Beggars Banquet’ (1968)

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29. “Live with Me” - ‘Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert’ (1970)

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28. “Angie” - ‘Goats Head Soup’ (1973)

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27. “Bitch” - ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)

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26. “Sway” - ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)

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25. “Rocks Off” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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24. “Ruby Tuesday” - ‘Between the Buttons’ (1967)

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23. “Let’s Spend the Night Together” - ‘Between the Buttons’ (1967)

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22. "Paint It Black" - 'Aftermath' (1966)

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21. “Dead Flowers” - ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)

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20. “Shine a Light” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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19. “Moonlight Mile” - ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)

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18. “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” - ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)

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17. “Waiting on a Friend” - ‘Tattoo You’ (1981)

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16. “Miss You” - ‘Some Girls’ (1978)

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15. “Happy” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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14. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” - ‘Let It Bleed’ (1969)

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13. “Beast of Burden” - ‘Some Girls’ (1978)

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12. “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” - ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll’ (1974)

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11. “Wild Horses” - ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)

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10. “Tumbling Dice” - ‘Exile on Main St.’ (1972)

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9. “Midnight Rambler” - ‘Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert’ (1970)

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8. “Brown Sugar” - ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)

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7. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” - ‘Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)’ (1968)

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6. “Honky Tonk Women” - ‘Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)’ (1969)

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5. “Street Fighting Man” - ‘Beggars Banquet’ (1968)

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4. “Start Me Up” - ‘Tattoo You’ (1981)

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3. “Sympathy for the Devil” - ‘Beggars Banquet’ (1968)

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2. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” - ‘Out of Our Heads’ (1965)

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1. “Gimme Shelter” - ‘Let It Bleed’ (1969)

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Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights