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His Majesty
I do not like Soul Survivor. It's far too (what had quckly become) open G/stones cliche for me. Imo of course.

Fully agree. The riff is almost like a matrix for all later generic riffings. Is it Micks? It's the murky, basement feel that saves the song. Live in the '00's or '10's it will probably be hard to distinguish it from RaaHP

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"Music is the frozen tapioca in the ice chest of history."

"Shit!... No shit, awright!"

Man, I know the topic is done to death but I just have to say again how much I LOVE this track. There's so much going on here, with Mick's insane vocal, to the droning, ominous slide guitar, to the wailing backing vox in the chorus, the percussion, Charlie's fantastic drumming, Keith's razor-riffing ... I playedit 3 times in a row yesterday, picking up little nuances every time. I've been a Stones fan for 16 years now, and it's funny how even after all this time a track can still seem so fresh.

I am really not in the camp of people who want them to do this live, simply because they could never capture this in the modern era. Much like 'Sway' - it was a noble effort, but they just couldn't quite pull it off.

But back to the topic, 'Soul Survivor' is just such a genuinely odd duck. It's not your typical rock/r&b number ... that's part of what makes it fascinating. It's all over the place with it's different elements. I would be genuinely curious as to what went into the writing process of a track like this.

Two reasons Exile is so great: Lyrics! Jagger was at the top of his game. Emotional, enigmatic, poetic, vulgar, all at the same time in some songs.

Reason #2: The way Richards and Jagger sang together has never been better "Casino Boogie" just one example of an "ordinary" song having goose flesh moments. Also "Torn & Frayed", "Sweet Black Angel" and "Rocks Off". They were just locked in vocally.

Totally agreed, 71Tele. Keith and Mick's best singing was on this record. i also agree with the lyrics, though Jagger's said he doesn't like the lyrics to 'Tumbling Dice'. But Rocks Off, Soul Survivor, Torn & Frayed - some of his best lyrical moments.

Mick Jagger is an idiot. He must like his lyrics to Tumbling Dice because he has borrowed the 6s, 7s and 9s line for that shit song Might As Well Get Juiced...

If anything, Tumbling Dice is way higher on the ladder, perhaps is the top, of what one could consider to be the definitive Rolling Stones song.

<< If anything, Tumbling Dice is way higher on the ladder, perhaps is the top, of what one could consider to be the definitive Rolling Stones song. >>

Couldn't agree with this more. If someone from Mars came down and asked me to explain the Rolling Stones in one song, TD is the one I'd play.

In my opinion, Jagger's downplaying of the quality/importance of Exile has to do with HIS experience of the sessions, rather than the actual music. Just look at him scowling in all those photos at Nellcote.

JJF for me then GIMMEE SHELTER
JJF is my ringtone

<< JJF is my ringtone >>

Which version?

I agree Tumbling Dice is A definitive Stones song. For me JJFlash will always be THE definitive Stones track. But soul survivor may be the definitive Exil track, what with its murky basement feel (as mentioned before), and the way it pulls so many different elements together that seemed to be part of exile's trademark sound.

Soul Survivor is a great song but I wouldn't put it on a list of definitive stones songs because of the sound of it. Its not their typical sound, more of a straight ahead rock song with little if any blues or country in it but it worked. In the Sticky Fingers-Exile Era they could do no wrong.

Filler? Certainly not. Soul Survivor is a fabulously raw hard driver. It does make it to the definitive category. The definitive song? It's a matter of opinion.

CBII

No, JJF is THE blueprint of Stones song.
BS comes close second

Soul Survivor is a great song, but I would say Tumbling Dice is the definitive Stones song. The guitars, the lyrics and the atmosphere of the song...

Soul Survivor has a great feel and a great sound. But it's not a greatly written song, imo. However, I love it just the same

''Satisfaction'' gets that honor in my hall of fame.

It Must Be Hell reminds me very much of Soul Survivor both great songs IMO