Massive Music List

We counted down the Stones’ complete 1970’s studio catalog, and now we take on the band’s output during the decadent decade of the 1980’s. This period found the Stones sometimes funky, sometimes fiery, but always feisty. Keep in mind, the countdown

The complete list to date.

The Last Five:

40. “Too Tough” (from Undercover)

39. “Hearts For Sale” (from Steel Wheels)

38. “Tie You Up (The Pain Of Love)” (from Undercover)

37. “Dirty Work” (from Dirty Work)

36. “Break The Spell” (from Steel Wheels)

35. “Too Rude”

From Dirty Work

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Taking a reggae song written by Linda Roberts and giving it his own inimitable spin, Keith Richards gives one of the better performances on Dirty Work. It stands out because it is one of the few moments on that troubled record that feels easy and unforced.

The reggae groove is played well by the group, and some echoey effects on the drums turn out to be a nice touch. Richards does a solid job with the vocals and, as usual, arranges some unique harmonies to keep things feeling fresh. The pleasures to be had here are modest ones, but they’re welcome on an album that lacked a lot of smiles.

34. “Down In The Hole”

From Emotional Rescue

LISTEN HERE  

With the guitars of Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards creating an umbrella of sadness and the rhythm section of Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts adding in just the right knife-twisting elements to the bluesy chord changes, the Stones create quite the ominous mood here. Sugar Blue’s harmonica adds nicely to the overall effect.

Meanwhile, up front, Mick Jagger comes on like Dylan in his vengeful Christian phase, railing against those who value money over all else. The title refers to what’s waiting below for those cash-grabbers when they least expect it, something far more powerful than the almighty dollar, or whatever currency one might choose to value.

It’s quite a powerful message even if it’s delivered in a bit of a heavy-handed manner. Nonetheless, with all of those warnings, I’d want to avoid that hole at all costs.

33. “Heaven”

From Tattoo You

LISTEN HERE  

It has to have one of the oddest lineups in Stones history: No Richards or Wood, just Jagger on guitar and vocals, Wyman on synthesizer and bass, Watts on drums, and co-producer Chris Kimsey on piano. The song was also one of just a few on Tattoo You that wasn’t a leftover from other projects, as the ad hoc group came together to fill out the album.

Whatever the circumstances, “Heaven” is certainly one of the most mesmerizing songs in Stones’ history. The minimal, sensual lyrics are little more than an excuse for Jagger to coo in a falsetto that is transformed by special effects into some sort of come-hither voice from beyond. And the gently plucked guitar also subtly works its way into the consciousness.

“Heaven” is an oddity to be sure, but it’s good enough to be revisited for much more than its novelty value. It almost makes you wish that this one-off group had created a follow-up.

32. “Indian Girl”

From Emotional Rescue

LISTEN HERE  

Referencing a South American war but really just pointing to the atrocities suffered by those left behind by war in general, “Indian Girl” is a delicate piece from Emotional Rescue highlighted by the empathetic vocals of Mick Jagger. No one could doubt the sincerity of the frontman as he asks the title child where her parents are, knowing full well the answer isn’t a happy one.

The music might lay on the South-of-the-border accents a tad thick, but the band pulls them off with aplomb. The horns, arranged by the legendary Jack Nitzsche, are right on the money, and the acoustic setting is a nice change of pace.

But this is Jagger’s show, a chance for him to show a side other than the preening, strutting one he can do in his sleep. He pulls it off and then some on “Indian Girl,” a lovely curiosity.

31. “Wanna Hold You”

From Undercover

LISTEN HERE  

OK, so it’s not all that different, rhythmically, from countless other Keith strutters bouncing around the Stones’ catalog. That doesn’t stop it from being a lot of fun, which is exactly the intent.

There’s nothing too complicated going on here. Richards enlists Ronnie Wood on bass and relies on Charlie Watts to set the huffing tempo, which he does exceptionally, just one more example of the Stones’ secret weapon strutting his stuff.

Richards also once again proves that he knows just how to add the right harmonies to propel a song that might come off as mundane into something instantly memorable. He doesn’t reinvent the wheel with “Wanna Hold You,” but he sure builds one that’s rolls along quite smoothly.

The complete list to date.

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