Mick Jagger has unveiled his ultimate Rolling Stones playlist, giving fans a tantalising glimpse into his own musical loves and passions. Speaking candidly in a recent sit-down interview, Jagger revealed his top picks from the band's unparalleled catalogue – and it's clear that this is no half-hearted exercise.
'Beggars Banquet', released back in 1968, marked a seismic shift for the Stones, as they rebalanced their sound after the psychedelic experimentations of 'Their Satanic Majesties Request'. It's an album dripping with bluesy authenticity, featuring some of their most enduring tracks – 'Sympathy For The Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man' among them. Meanwhile, 1971's 'Sticky Fingers' was a milestone for the band, being the first to be released on their own Rolling Stones Records label. You'll find timeless classics like 'Brown Sugar', 'Wild Horses', and 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' on this iconic album.
Fast-forward to 2023's critically-acclaimed 'Hackney Diamonds', an album that marked the band's return to original material after a long hiatus. It was also their first studio release since Charlie Watts' passing in 2021 – although he makes a posthumous appearance on two tracks. It's clear that this record, produced by Andrew Watt (who worked with them on 'Hackney Diamonds'), represents a new chapter for the band.
When pressed to pick just one standout song from their formidable back catalogue, Jagger confessed it was like choosing between family members – impossible! He cited an impressive range of styles: the dark narrative of 'Sympathy For The Devil', the driving rock of 'Start Me Up', the poignant balladry of 'Angie', and the raucous energy of 'Honky Tonk Women'. It's a testament to their musical versatility.
The Rolling Stones are currently gearing up for their 25th studio album, 'Foreign Tongues', which lands on July 10 via Polydor/Universal Music. This new record promises to be a star-studded affair, with guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Robert Smith of The Cure, Steve Winwood, and Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers – as well as Charlie Watts in his final studio sessions. Jagger even shared an intriguing story about how he roped Robert Smith into the project during a chance encounter.
As if that wasn't enough, the band has launched 'Speaking In Tongues', a six-part podcast series narrated by Norah Jones. This is your chance to delve deeper into their creative journey and hear from Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Andrew Watt themselves – it's a must-listen for any Stones aficionado.
With these new revelations, fans can't help but feel that the Rolling Stones' best days are still ahead. With 'Foreign Tongues' on the horizon, this iconic band is poised to leave an indelible mark on music history once again – and we can't wait to see what's next!