The irresistible opening riff to ‘Start Me Up’ sets up a track which can be heralded as a thumping rock anthem. Brash and unapologetic, the song made it clear that the 1980s would be the decade in which the Stones found their maximum audience – as indeed history proved!
Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.
With lyrics reportedly inspired by the gardener at Keith Richards’ country house, ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ begins with a rolling blues riff and marks a return to a blues style after the psychedelia of The Rolling Stones’ previous two albums. The track has become the band’s most frequently played concert song and has been covered by many artists in a variety of musical styles, including a sitar based version by Ananda Shankar.
Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.
The lyrics of ‘Brown Sugar’ use metaphors to touch on themes as risqué as interracial sex, S&M and heroin use. The title of this energising song was inspired by Jagger’s then girlfriend Marsha Hunt and it combines full-on riffs, falsetto backing vocals and a swinging groove. Blazing the way for rock lyrics for years to come, ‘Brown Sugar’ is all about the emotion and audience connection.
Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.
The Ultimate Rock Riffs 