Top 5 Rolling Stones Albums Of All Time, According To Fans

1. “Exile On Main St.” (1972)

This double album, for many, is the quintessential Rolling Stones record and features the hit song “Tumbling Dice.” This album is like a wild roller coaster ride through the gritty underbelly of rock ‘n’ roll. Ultimate Classic Rock nails it when they call it “a masterpiece of strung-out soul, grinding guitars, soothing highs and punishing lows.” It’s not your typical easy-listening album; it’s more like a musical journey that demands your attention and rewards repeated listens.

Now, imagine recording an album in Keith Richards’ swanky French villa. Sounds glamorous, right? Well, it was more like a beautiful mess. Far Out Magazine paints a picture of a revolving door of musicians and guests, creating an atmosphere as unpredictable as the weather. This chaotic energy seeped into the music, giving “Exile” a raw, loose feel that was new for the Stones. It’s like they bottled lightning – dangerous and irresistible all at once.

But it’s not all party vibes and guitar riffs. Stereogum digs deeper, pointing out the album’s emotional range. You’ve got tracks like “Ventilator Blues” hitting you with harsh realities, while “Happy” and “All Down The Line” lift your spirits. And then there’s “Shine A Light,” a soulful number that Mick Jagger poured his heart into, inspired by the tumultuous life of Brian Jones. It’s this mix of grit and grace, of earthly struggles and spiritual yearning, that makes “Exile on Main St” more than just an album – it’s a testament to the human experience, all wrapped up in some of the most electrifying rock ‘n’ roll ever recorded.

2. “Sticky Fingers” (1971)

Sticky Fingers” is guitarist Mick Taylor’s first full studio album with The Rolling Stones. Louder Sound nails it when they call this track the Stones’ “ultimate defining moment.” It’s like they distilled the essence of rock ‘n’ roll into one perfect song. But don’t think for a second that the album peaks there – oh no, it’s just getting started.

This bad boy has serious range. You’ve got the country-tinged “Wild Horses” that’ll tug at your heartstrings, and then there’s “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” that’ll have your body moving before you even realize it. Esquire puts it perfectly – Charlie Watts’ snare drum and Keith’s guitar work together like some kind of voodoo magic that makes resistance futile.

The Guardian says this album takes you on a journey, from the raw energy of “Brown Sugar” all the way to the haunting, string-laden “Moonlight Mile.” In just 46 minutes, they take you on a ride through the highs and lows of rock, leaving you breathless and hitting that replay button before the last notes even fade out. “Sticky Fingers” isn’t just an album; it’s a masterclass in what rock ‘n’ roll can be when it’s firing on all cylinders.

3. “Let It Bleed” (1969)

“Let It Bleed” features the late Brian Jones on guitar, as well as Mick Taylor on separate songs. Rock & Blues Muse describes it as an “all killer, no filler collection.” It’s like the Stones bottled the essence of an entire era and poured it into one album.

This album is where Keith Richards steps up to the mic for the first time, taking the lead on “You Got The Silver.” And let’s not forget how they’re expanding their musical palette. Ultimate Classic Rock points out how they’re building on their country leanings from “Beggars Banquet,” but now they’re taking it to new heights. Take “Love in Vain” – it’s like they took a midnight blues jam, threw in some slide guitar, sprinkled some mandolin courtesy of Ry Cooder, and created pure magic.

Now, if you need any more proof of this album’s greatness, consider this: The Stones still play all nine of these tracks in their live shows today. That’s right, over 50 years later, and these songs still resonate. As Louder Sound puts it, “Let It Bleed” cemented the Stones’ reputation as the “deliciously diabolic harbingers of counter-cultural doom.” Released in the final month of the ’60s, it’s like they knew the party was ending and decided to throw one last epic bash. This isn’t just an album; it’s a time capsule of a band at the height of their powers, capturing the spirit of an era while somehow remaining timeless.

4. “Beggars Banquet” (1968)

“Beggars Banquet” features the unforgettable hits “Sympathy For The Devil” and “Street Fighting Man.” It’s also the last full Rolling Stones album with guitarist Brian Jones.

This album marked a pivotal moment for the Rolling Stones. As NME points out, it’s like the songs can barely contain its own excitement. But don’t let that upbeat opening fool you – this album is about to take you on a journey through the gritty underbelly of the late ’60s.

Now, Rolling Stone says this album is a return to the Stones’ seedy roots. It’s like they looked at the psychedelic scene around them and said, “Nah, we’re going back to basics.” You’ve got tracks like “Street Fighting Man” and “Stray Cat Blues” that ooze with that raw, rebellious energy the Stones are known for. And let’s not forget “Sympathy for the Devil” – it’s not just a song, it’s a statement.

But this album wasn’t made under the easiest circumstances. Louder Sound gives us the behind-the-scenes scoop: The band was down one member, with Brian Jones barely contributing due to his personal struggles. It could have been a disaster, right? But no, this is where Keith Richards steps up to the plate. With new producer Jimmy Miller in tow, Keith helps steer the ship, resulting in what many consider one of their best albums. It’s like the Stones took all the chaos and uncertainty swirling around them and channeled it into pure rock ‘n’ roll magic.

5. “Some Girls” (1978)

This album features the hit “Miss You.” Plus, it’s guitarist Ronnie Wood’s first full record with the Stones. This album proved the Rolling Stones could still set the world on fire even as they approached their second decade as a band. Entertainment Weekly points out how the Stones were fully aware of their place in the music world at this point. Picture this: it’s the late ’70s, disco is king, and what do the Stones do? They don’t fight it – they embrace it, but in their own deliciously dirty way. It’s like they took their blues roots, threw in some disco beats, and topped it off with a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll attitude. The result? Pure magic.

Now, Rolling Stone reminds us that this isn’t just any album – it’s a New York album through and through. Imagine Mick Jagger strutting down a grimy Manhattan street, singing about the rising crime rate with the same urgency as if his own leather pants were ablaze. It’s the Stones holding up a mirror to the gritty reality of late ’70s New York, all set to a beat you can’t help but move to.

But let’s not forget about the guitar work. Rock & Blues Muse rightfully points out the crown jewel of the album: “Beast of Burden.” This track isn’t just a song; it’s a showcase of the budding bromance between Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood. Their guitar interplay is like watching two master fencers at work – graceful, precise, and utterly captivating. And the kicker? That musical partnership they forged on this track is still going strong over four decades later.