Lots of list threads here. Here's the toughest: A list of one.

If you had to name ONE song that describes what the Stones are all about - the blues, the guitars, the harmonies, the rhythm - just ONE to describe just what is so goddamn special about the Stones, what would it be? Say the person you were describing the group to awoke from a 48-year coma, or was someone born deaf who just had his hearing restored, or somehow for some reason never heard a Rolling Stones song. Which ONE would you play him (or her)? Not necessarily, your favorite song (that's too easy), but the one that sums them up best in all their ragged glory.

My entry....drum roll please....

Tumbling Dice

A good case could be made for Honky Tonk Women, but I'm going with TD.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-08-24 03:05 by 71Tele.

Brown Sugar

...Gimmie Shelter....satisfaction made people sit up and notice....Gimmie Shelter defined the era...turbulent, violent, combustable, chaotic.... they were at its core artistically. Timing is everything.

Tumbling Dice +1

There are many tracks I could list from the 60's and 70's
but i want to choose "Fancy Man Blues" .
This b-side show the STONES at their best IMO.
Why, because after all these years of playin' rock'n'roll , rhythm and blues & blues, they show us a stunin' demonstration of their absolute mastery in playin' these kind of tracks.
No great solo (Sorry for TAYLOR's fans), only two great @#$%&'guitars, a good bass, minimal drums and a rough voice, and each time I listen to it loud is a great pleasure that I enjoy .
That's the sound of the ROLLING STONES.

HMN

rock : Brown sugar or Satisfaction
ballad : Memory motel or Let it loose

Quote
71Tele
Lots of list threads here. Here's the toughest: A list of one.

If you had to name ONE song that describes what the Stones are all about - the blues, the guitars, the harmonies, the rhythm - just ONE to describe just what is so goddamn special about the Stones, what would it be? Say the person you were describing the group to awoke from a 48-year coma, or was someone born deaf who just had his hearing restored, or somehow for some reason never heard a Rolling Stones song. Which ONE would you play him (or her)? Not necessarily, your favorite song (that's too easy), but the one that sums them up best in all their ragged glory.

Its a very easy question for me : Jumpin' Jack Flash.

Whilst I think Gimme Shelter is their greatest song, this one is certainly in the top 3 and ticks all the boxes in the criteria you've requested.

Agree, Jumping Jack Flash. It has everything. I have never been to a bad Stones concert kicked off by JJF.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-08-24 04:05 by 24FPS.

HTW-the song sums up what the Stones music is all about!

Brown Sugar. My all time favorite song. Desert island song. nothing els compares for me.

It is actually written in my will that BS be played on a continuous loop at my wake. All versions. Live, outtakes, ec's version etc..

It's got it all... sex, drugs, rock and roll, forbiidden tabooo sex (at least it was), killer guitar riffs, killer drums, MJ at is best,maracas and other cool percussion, Bills bass holding it all together.

No matter how bad my mood, how crappy I feel, I am guaranteed 3:49 (give or take) of pure bliss when I put it on.

Gomper

It's Brown Sugar, but here's my vote for Let It Rock.

Jumpin' Jack Flash- getting away from any semblance of pop and the first step down the path they've followed for the next 42 years and counting...

Jumping Jack Flash for sure. A lot of close seconds, but this one's perfect.

[www.non-filters.com]

***********************************************************
"What I'm doing is a sexual thing. I dance and all dancing is a replacement for sex". - Mick Jagger

It's Only Rock 'N Roll (But I Like It)!

Stray Cat Blues

because..
1) great song.
2) from the Wyman era.
3) no argument about 2nd guitarist. all Keith. driving rhythm, piercing lead.
4) Charlie at the top of his game.
5) dark theme.
6) great opening lick.
7) noisy.
8) great build-up.
9) bluesy (to an extent).
10) not a hit single, off of one of the classic albums.
11) long jamming fade-out.
12) the filty dirty "lead" guitar chord at the 1:31 mark, right after Mick sings "really miss your mother". that's what a Keith lick is all about.
etc.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2010-08-24 07:17 by josepi.

Interesting responses here...I do understand JJF as the quintessential Stones song, especially original studio version, as it spans different eras in their music and is the template for what would become their identifiable sound (as a poster pointed out).

Tumbling Dice has the gritty open G guitars, a bit of slide, great soulfeel feel that built on everything that came before it. I guess a vote against it would be that it would be a bit unfair for the quintessential Stones song to not have Bill on bass.

Brown Sugar.

JumpingKentFlash

Brown Sugar

JJF, it has it all: danger, mystique, the unique Stones sound, the swing and the hooks.

However, their most impressive song is Moonlight Mile, imo. A mention to Let It Loose as well.

Jumping Jack Flash

Midnight Rambler from Get year ya ya's..or Little Queenie also from GYY

Quote
Honestman
There are many tracks I could list from the 60's and 70's
but i want to choose "Fancy Man Blues" .
This b-side show the STONES at their best IMO.
Why, because after all these years of playin' rock'n'roll , rhythm and blues & blues, they show us a stunin' demonstration of their absolute mastery in playin' these kind of tracks.
No great solo (Sorry for TAYLOR's fans), only two great @#$%&'guitars, a good bass, minimal drums and a rough voice, and each time I listen to it loud is a great pleasure that I enjoy .
That's the sound of the ROLLING STONES.

I saw this thread and thought while opening it: JJF, Brown Sugar, Gimme Shelter, and Tumbling Dice, and discounted Gimme Shelter because it's my favorite song but not necessarily what would make Rip van Wrinkle get the Stones in one song. And then I wondered whether I was thinking of JJF, Brown Sugar, and Tumblin Dice because they're the most commonly heard songs - I mean, whose friends in their first band in 8th grade didn't play JJF and Satisfaction at the Jr High dance? Meaning, maybe those songs are so ubiquitous that I equate that with being prototypical Stones. And they might not really be. So I have to think about this one. In the meantime...

Holy shit - I'd never heard Fancy Man Blues until tonight - listened on youtube to a version from "Rarities," which I don't have but maybe should. But anyway - godDAMN Mick sounds incredible, really channeling old blues masters but completely himself at the same time. And as Keith says, you hear Mick's soul when he plays harmonica. I got goosebumps, was spellbound. Can't believe this was from 1989. I had written them off by then. Glad to be wrong.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-08-24 11:36 by swiss.

Gimme Shelter. The ultimate stones song!!!! Nothing better than this.


John Nicholls

Tumbling Dice (bluesy versions, best is: Knebworth)

Its a very easy question for me : Jumpin' Jack Flash.

ditto

Quintessential is not to be confused with best, most loved, greatest or anything like that.
webster definition

I think Brown Sugar is as quintessential as it gets.

All down the line is a good example too!

JJF...

["I can hear the Bullfrog calling me..."]

It depends on what you think the Stones are essentially about.

If it's survival and resurrection, then Jumpin' Jack Flash.
If it's sex and decadence, then Brown Sugar/HTW

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

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