Best Rolling Stones Country Songs
By Frank Hamedl on 14 March 2017
"To me, it's like they're the greatest rock band, and one of the top 5 country bands too...
The reason they do it well is they don't change when they do something,
it's not like they try to morph into a total country band, they do it their way."
- Brad Paisley
"Mick Jagger knows an awful lot about country music." - Gram Parsons
When most people see or think the words "The Rolling Stones," they immediately think of the classic tracks, including "Satisfaction," "Paint it Black," "Gimme Shelter," "Sympathy for the Devil," and "You Can't Always Get What You Want." However, "The Greatest Rock 'n Roll Band in the World" has experimented a lot with the country genre over their 55 year career, but it often goes under the radar. If you love country music, The Rolling Stones, or if you don't believe they are a country band, enjoy our list of the top Rolling Stones country songs!
(All quotes are from Mick Jagger, unless noted)
"I love country music, but I find it very hard to take it seriously"
"There are a couple country tunes, cause we've always liked country music"
10. Do You Think I Really Care? - Some Girls (Deluxe Edition)
During the Some Girls era, The Stones produced punk, disco, blues, hard rock, and surprisingly, a number of country songs. Unfortunately, not all of them made it onto the initial album release, but were recovered in the 2011 Some Girls Deluxe Edition release.
"Do You Think I Really Care?" begins quickly to a distant upbeat country melody that does not even sound like The Stones. Listeners quickly question: "Wait, is this a Rolling Stones country song?!"
"Do You Think I Really Care?" perfectly shows The Stones certainly do have fun playing country songs. However, based on the lyrics, they do not necessarily take it 100% seriously, especially with the last line of the track: "Hey, put your umbrella up your a** baby," which is quite comical and offensive, but perfectly fits the essence of Some Girls. |
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The rest of the lyrics depict Mick questioning if he really cares about a girl who is never there for him, even though he constantly sees her around New York City: " But I see you on the subway, I see you on the D train; Hey, see her in the afternoon, just after the Giants game; I see her on the freeway, Long Island Expressway... I saw her eating pizzas on 57th and Broadway."
In the mix the exciting song, "Do You Think I Really Care?" does teach us a lesson to not care and invest in a girl that does not care, appreciate, or love you - even if you're crazy for her.
In the mix the exciting song, "Do You Think I Really Care?" does teach us a lesson to not care and invest in a girl that does not care, appreciate, or love you - even if you're crazy for her.
"Hey, do you think I would ever care? For a girl who's never there?
Wait a minute, I need a yellow cab, help me get out of this rain.
Hey, put your umbrella up your a** baby, whooo!"
9. The Worst - Voodoo Lounge
Despite its name, "The Worst" is actually one of the best and overlooked songs on the underrated album Voodoo Lounge. "The Worst" puts Keith on lead vocals on one of the shortest songs produced by The Stones, clocking in at only 2 minutes and 25 seconds.
While not a full-blown country tune, "The Worst" does have some country flavor thrown into it, mixed with an Irish feel. Listen to Keith's vocals, Ronnie's pedal steel guitar, and the gentle fiddle line, particularly between 0:43 - 1:27.
The lyrical meaning is hard to decipher, but it seems awfully tragic, as Keith acknowledges, due to his reckless and one of a kind behavior, he should put love aside and won't allow this girl, who loves him, have him. |
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"The Worst" shows The Stones do country music in their own, unique way. They don't have to copy what other country artists do, they simply and effortlessly do it how they like, and always make it sound great.
"Take all the pain, it's yours anyways ...
Somewhere outside, I threw love aside; now, it's a tragedy.
And I said from the first, I am The Worst kind of guy for you to be around" - Keith Richards
8. Dear Doctor - Beggars Banquet
"Dear Doctor" continues the notion that The Stones can not take country music seriously, as they satire a weeding day in a facetious manor.
The song is simply strange, as Mick sings about not wanting to get married. But while getting ready for the big day, he finds his fiance luckily left him for "Cousin Lou." Mick inmates his fictitious fiances voice between 2:22 and 2:45, where it is almost impossible not to laugh.
"Dear Doctor" is a giant joke, as Mick literally asks a doctor to put his heart in a jar. It has a drunken country blues feel to it, as it showcases The Stones have created every type of song imaginable. |
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In 2003, Mick perfectly described "Dear Doctor:" "There's a sense of humor in country music, anyway, a way of looking at life in a humorous kind of way - and I think we were just acknowledging that element of the music."
"Oh help me, please doctor, I'm damaged. There's a pain where there once was a heart.
Can't ya please tear is out, and preserve it right there in that jar?"
7. Wild Horses - Sticky Fingers
It would be impossible to not complete this list without "Wild Horses," one of the most iconic songs in rock history. Once ranked in Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time," "Wild Horses" is a charming mix between roots, folk, and country rock.
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"Wild Horses" gives the feeling of being on the great plains riding horses with someone significant, especially at 2:50 - 3:27 during the songs main melody and the first guitar solo. The ballad's meaning can be interpreted in many different ways. The first line, "Childhood living is easy to do" reminds us of the meaning of "As Tears Go By" reflecting on our adolescence. Mick once stated: "'Wild Horses' was about the usual thing of not wanting to be on the road, being a million miles from where you want to be," which sounds a lot similar to message of "Moonlight Mile." The lyrics as a whole also tell the story of a relationship, first starting out wonderful during the 'honeymoon phase,' before the downfall, and pain of the breakup: "You know I can't let you slide through my hands... Faith has been broken, tears must be cried."
The song has a sorrow and heavy tone, which makes you think and question life. Nonetheless, it creates a warm feeling, and the eerie lines "Let's do some living, after we die" and "We'll ride them some day" provide hope for the future. |
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"Wild Horses" also has one of the best guitar solos in Stones history immediately before its climax. While not the energy of other iconic solos, like on "Free Bird," the solo between 4:41 and 5:11 creates an absolutely chilling sensation. Keith's lead guitar is accompanied by the smooth and graceful backing acoustic guitars, piano, and bass lines creates a surprising masterpiece.
The song's true country comes out through Mick's vocals at 4:37 and in Keith's vocal harmony - especially live. "Wild Horses" is easily one of the best songs of all time, but is not higher on this list because The Stones have perfected country in a few other songs.
The song's true country comes out through Mick's vocals at 4:37 and in Keith's vocal harmony - especially live. "Wild Horses" is easily one of the best songs of all time, but is not higher on this list because The Stones have perfected country in a few other songs.
"Faith has been broken, tears must be cried. Let's do some living, after we die.
Wild horses couldn't drag me away. Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them some day"
6. Sweet Virginia - Exile on Main St.
"Sweet Virginia" is a splendid blend of blues, soul, and country on the masterpiece Exile on Main St. When released in 1972 on vinyl, Exile had four sides, and "Sweet Virginia" notably opens side two, commonly known as the country side of the album.
"Sweet Virginia" begins with Keith's acoustic guitar and Mick's mystifying harmonica solo. Eventually, others join, and Bobby Key's sax sneaks up like a snake into an energetic solo, before the chorus takes over into a soulful finale.
The song creates the illusion of The Stones hanging around a campfire improving a country tune and having the time of their life, which creates a 1950's fun black and white country western feel. |
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"Sweet Virginia" teaches us about getting through a tough time full of loneliness, and to scrape off the stuff that is dragging out life down.
"Wadin' through the waste, stormy winter, and there's not a friend to help you through...
Come on down, honey child, you got it in ya, you got to scrape that sh*t right off your shoes"
5. No Spare Parts - Some Girls (Deluxe Edition)
Rounding out the top 5 are some of the best country songs ever recorded. In "No Spare Parts," Mick's 2011 vocals highlight the entire song, preforming a total country-western accent throughout the song (especially at 3:25), accompanied by Keith's background harmony line, recorded in 1977.
"No Spare Parts" is a full blown country tune, that sounds like a single from a popular country band and not The Stones. It brings listeners on a cross country road trip visiting a love he misses dearly: "But I wanna tell you, I miss you so much, you're a thousand miles away; I'm at the wheel of my car and I'm coming on home to you... I take the 10 to Phoenix, be in Tuscon by the afternoon; Get some shut eye and pizza and a bite at the greasy spoon; Took a turn of 90, should have stayed on the interstate..." It even includes one of the best verses in country music: "When I had to change a tire, I'm glad I wore my western boots."
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Throughout the excursion, Mick's vocal performance, along with Ronnie's Pedal Steel guitar (especially at 1:33, 2:10, 3:35), creates an iconic country tune perfect for traveling on long trips or visiting someone you truly love.
"Lonely hearts, they're not made to break; I go No Spare Parts, got no oil to change.
Honey I ain't accustomed to lose; if I want something bad enough I always find a way to get though"
4. Torn and Frayed - Exile on Main St.
From the first strum of Keith's acoustic guitar, listeners can easily tell "Torn and Frayed" is a great country rocker. While it creates a melancholy aura, Mick and Keith sound like a couple of joyful kids playing a country-gospel tune in around a Christmas tree during the holiday season.
The lyrics depict the gloomy side of the rock and roll lifestyle: "Just a dead beat, right off the street; Bound to follow you down." Analyzing further, there is a larger meaning behind the coat that is torn and frayed. The coat refers to the Mick's soul that has been in disarray from a rocky season in life, and as a symbol of loneliness, as the coat is the only one there for him - two prevailing themes echoed throughout Exile on Main St.
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"Torn and Frayed" contains many standout factors, including Mick and Keith's signature country accent (especially at 00:35 and 2:17), the ultimate country guitar solo (01:43 through 2:10), and one of the most iconic lyrics in music history: "Just as long as the guitar plays, let it steal your heart away."
"And his coat is torn and frayed, Its seen much better days.
Just as long as the guitar plays, Let it steal your heart away"
3. Country Honk - Let it Bleed
"Country Honk" is easily the most country song The Stones have ever recorded. Listeners can easily mistaken this tune of a Jimmie Rodgers or Hank Williams, or even a 1930's country-western folk tune: "I'm sittin' in a bar, tipplin' a jar in Jackson; And on the street the summer sun it shines."
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Being driven by Keith's acoustic guitar and the dynamic fiddle line, "Country Honk" perfectly shows how The Stones successfully experimented in almost every form of popular music - including 1930's country-western. The song is amusing, containing actual car honks (at 00:14 and 3:02), and a stunning fiddle solo (1:57 - 1:30). You can easily ask: What songs - especially Rolling Stones and rock and roll songs - are this diverse and contain a fiddle solo?!
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The lyrics on this fun country tune should sound familiar, as this song was the original version of the iconic "Honky Tonk Women." Even though both versions are contrasting, they are certainly comparable and rank among The Stones' greatest songs.
"But I just can't seem to drink you off my mind;
It's the honky tonk women - Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues"
2. Dead Flowers - Sticky Fingers
What makes "Dead Flowers" great, besides being one of the best country songs, is the different versions of the song - including the original studio cut, the alternative take, and the numerous live cuts from over the years. When performing live, The Stones do not sound like a rock band, but a total country band. Mick jokingly said after performing it in 1995 "I felt like a hillbilly for a minute there, just a minute though."
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The song first starts out with Mick in a state of disdain after seeing what is likely to be an ex, who is doing well in life, and Mick, not so much: "Well when you're sitting there in your silk upholder chair; Talkin' to some rich folk that you know; Well I hope you won't see me in my ragged company; Well you know I could never be alone."
The melody seems to describe 'Susie' sending Mick 'Dead Flowers' (symbolic to a failed relationship), while he gives her a rose, symbolizing his unconditional love. |
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The rest of the lyrics are the ultimate definition of country and shows Mick struggling, while Susie is thriving: "Take me down little Susie, take me down; I know you think you're the queen of the underground... Well when you're sitting back in your rose pink Cadillac; Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day; I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon; And another girl to take my pain away."
"I love the song Dead Flowers, I always have...
I feel like it's the ultimate country Stones song." - Brad Paisley
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"And you can send me dead flowers every morning, Send me dead flowers by the U.S. Mail
Say it with dead flowers in my wedding, And I won't forget to put roses on your grave "
1. Far Away Eyes - Some Girls
While "Dead Flowers" might be considered one of the ultimate country songs, "Far Away Eyes" is easily the best Rolling Stones Country Song.
Inspired by 1950's California Bakersfield country-western music, "Far Away Eyes" is mostly sung in Mick's Southern American accent, transporting listeners to a time of simplicity and peace.
The song is ultimately about dealing with the loneliness of life by driving alone, listening to the radio while praising God, and thinking about the possibilities of finding true love. Never-the-less, "Far Away Eyes" produces a happy ending, as Mick expects his girl to leave him for some truck driver, but was simply sitting there, waiting for him. |
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"Far Away Eyes" teaches us that if we trust in God, everything will work out; as there will be a season of blessing after our time of loneliness and waiting.
"I was driving home early Sunday morning though Bakersfield
Listening to gospel music on the colored radio station
And the preacher said 'You know you always have the Lord by your side'
And I was so pleased to be informed of this that I ran twenty red lights in his honor
Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord!
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So if you're down on your luck, And you can't harmonize
Find a girl with far away eyes
And if you're downright disgusted, And life ain't worth a dime
Get a girl with far away eyes"
Honorable mentions:
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"When you think about modern country music,
they may have influenced more of it than a lot of artist that even consider country."
"They are a great country band"
- Brad Paisley