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:

30. “Terrifying” (from Steel Wheels)

29. “Slave” (from Tattoo You)

28. “It Must Be Hell” (from Undercover)

27. “Little T&A” (from Tattoo You)

26. “Rock And A Hard Place” (from Steel Wheels)

25. “Summer Romance”

From Emotional Rescue

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It blazes along at breakneck speed propelled by Charlie Watts’ unerringly brilliant drumming and the twin-guitar attack of Ronnie and Keith, and then “Summer Romance” is gone in a flash, much like a fleeting summer affair. Before it’s gone, it leaves behind an undeniably fun feeling that can get you through even the coldest winter night.

And so what if it’s a bit creepy to hear Mick Jagger, pushing 40 at the time of this song’s release on Emotional Rescue, macking on a girl young enough to still be in school (and though he doesn’t specify, the lyrics seem to hint at high school). The peppy pace and Jagger’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics about being a “serious man” with “serious lusts” override any Lolita-like undertones. Enjoy “Summer Romance” while it lasts, and then you can move on to more weighty pursuits if you must.

24. “Neighbours”

From Tattoo You

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The clever twist that the Stones put on this song helps to elevate it from the trivial novelty it might have been. It was apparently inspired by Keith Richards’ run-ins with neighbours (and, yes, I’ll use the British spelling in deference to the song and in defiance of my Spell-Check) who didn’t appreciate his hard-rock lifestyle, i.e. the late hours, loud music and general debauchery. But the Stones switch it around here and Jagger plays the harried one, nerves frayed by all of the noise, craziness, and “saxophone playing” going on around him.

Ronnie Wood’s solo cackles through the song as if laughing off Mick’s complaints, rock and roll winning out over the peace-and-quiet crowd. But the funniest thing of all is Jagger invoking the Golden Rule. If you were living next to Keith Richards, would you really want him doing unto you like he’s done to himself?

23. “Sleep Tonight”

From Dirty Work

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Before we even get to the main song, we have to acknowledge the “hidden” track that follows it at the end of Dirty Work. It’s a 30-second snippet of “Key To The Highway” played on the piano by Ian Stewart, who passed away in 1986, the year of the song’s release. Stewart was there at the band’s inception and, as an unofficial member, played on more classic tracks than we have room to mention here. The band’s loyalty in including this mini-tribute is touching, especially considering how they were pretty much at war with each other at the time.

“Sleep Tonight,” Keith Richard’s melancholy ballad that precedes the hidden track, is the lone moment of tenderness on the otherwise overly forceful album. Chuck Leavell’s plaintive piano drives the track, while Richards sings with genuine emotion about someone who has left his life. “The moon grows cold in memory,” he coos, letting the hurt show through that grizzled exterior.

The song is notable as one in which Ronnie Wood plays the drums, and he acquits himself well, hanging tough with Richards’ odd time changes. Overall, the unique construction and emotional performance allows “Sleep Tonight” to stand on its own as a truly fine song and a fitting tribute to their fallen friend.

22. “Black Limousine”

From Tattoo You

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As a song that was kicked around for two albums before finally landing on Tattoo You, you might get the impression that “Black Limousine” was something of an afterthought. On the contrary, it features the Stones at their bluesy best, thanks to a slide guitar lick conjured by Ronnie Wood, who got a co-writer credit with Jagger and Richards.

Wood also solos while Jagger does some of his finest work on the harmonica. Mick’s lyrics manage to combine nostalgia and disgust, as he sees a former flame and can’t bear to see how fall she’s fallen, compared to when they were together and regally bestrode the world.

The trick in the lyrics is that Jagger leaves things a bit open-ended with the refrain “Look at you and look at me.” Is he saying that he’s fallen on hard times just like the girl, or is he flaunting the fact that time has treated him much better? Mick leaves it up to us to decide, but I’m making the less sentimental reading myself. There’s a subtle sneer in that voice that tells me he could never hold himself in quite so much contempt.

21. “Almost Hear You Sigh”

From Steel Wheels

LISTEN HERE  

One of the biggest problems with the Stones’ mid-80s output was that they seemed reluctant to embrace the more tender side to their music. Maybe their advancing years had them fearing that they might be perceived as soft, and so they overcompensated with aggression that ended up being a tad wearying.

Luckily, they rectified that situation on Steel Wheels with solid results like “Almost Hear You Sigh.” The song was leftover from the sessions for Keith Richards’ solo album, hence the co-writing credit for Steve Jordan. Mick changed the lyrics around some, dissecting a lover whom he fears is too cool a customer: “You acted much too calm/You turned on all your charm/You had a cold look in your eyes.” As a result, the doubt created paralyzes the relationship.

Jagger turns in a great vocal, really getting soulful in the beautiful bridge. And Richards adds a lovely solo on a classical acoustic guitar. The mood is sustained expertly right through to the conclusion, making you wonder why the Stones would ever have turned away from the slow stuff when the results turn out this fine.

The complete list to date.

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