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Rolling Stones’ ‘Let It Bleed’: Every Track Ranked

Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter December 5th, 2019

With nine tracks clocking in just over 42 minutes, The Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed was the sound of the band signing off from the 1960s in all of their dark, lusty glory and the first album released since the sudden passing of Brian Jones.

More importantly, Let It Bleed helps pave the way for a new era for The Rolling Stones and the creation of two more masterpiece albums in the next three years. A near-flawless gem itself, here’s every track ranked from Let It Bleed in honor of its 50th anniversary.

  • 9. “Country Honk”

    This album is basically flawless, but a song had to come in last, and since “Country Honk” is just the twangy original version of “Honky Tonk Woman,” that’s why it comes in last. Even though this track certainly evolved into a classic, it is interesting to see its origins.

  • 8. “You Got The Silver”

    The first time we hear Keith Richards on lead vocals is on this country blues tune, and it’s the last song to feature Brian Jones, who is credited for playing the autoharp. The track has grown into a fan favorite in recent decades when the Stones play live.

  • 7. “Monkey Man”

    A unique hard rock moment on an album dominated by country and blues influences, “Monkey Man” stands out thanks to Bill Wyman’s vibraphone and Nicky Hopkins’ piano playing.

  • 6. “Live With Me”

    That undeniable bass line? That was the work of Keith Richards, not Bill Wyman. The track notably is the first song the Stones recorded with new guitarist Mick Taylor, who replaced a fired Brian Jones, and the first song to feature Bobby Keys on saxophone. The chemistry between the guitars of Richards and Taylor cannot be mentioned enough.

  • 5. “Love In Vain”

    The lone cover on the album, The Rolling Stones’ country blues take on this Robert Johnson song adds a unique ache to the album as a whole.

  • 4. “Midnight Rambler”

    Easily one of the best straight-forward blues tracks written by Jagger and Richards, “Midnight Rambler” opens up side two of album and serves as another example of Jagger being incredibly underrated on the harmonica.

  • 3. “Let It Bleed”

    Almost a lustier predecessor to “Waiting on a Friend,” “Let It Bleed” walks the line between dark and sweet, sincere and sarcastic and manages to do so with minimalist swagger.

  • 2. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

    Despite how Dick and Berry from ‘High Fidelity’ feel about this song’s association with ‘The Big Chill,’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” has remained one of the Rolling Stones’ biggest showstoppers for 50 years and for good reason. The ethereal sounds of the London Bach Choir provided a unique juxtaposition to the Rolling Stones closing out not only this album but the ‘60s themselves, a decade that brought both great change and pain. The ‘70s were on the horizon, and while so much was uncertain, one thing that wasn’t was how somehow, we’d all figure out how to get what we need.

  • 1. “Gimme Shelter”

    One of the best Rolling Stones songs in their entire catalog that’s also one of the greatest opening album tracks of all time and that also features Merry Clayton with, perhaps, the most iconic rock vocal solo ever. “Gimme Shelter” is somehow ALL of these things, and 50 years on, it continues to move the masses and features lyrics that are as poignant now as they were upon their release. “It’s just a shot away” resonates now more than ever.

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