The Best Rolling Stones songs according to Spotify

Last updated: 06/12/2024 at 16:30pm.

With a huge back catalogue spanning a massive 62 years, when it comes to the best Rolling Stones songs, it’s hard to know where to begin.

So, we’ve decided to look at the ever-trustworthy Spotify to work out which Rolling Stones tracks have been streamed the most by fans.

The band are currently in the US touring their hugely successful album, Hackney Diamonds - so let's take a look at the best songs from the Rolling Stones, to get ourselves in the mood for some possible live shows in 2025.

Plus, we’ll let you know how to see the iconic band live and with VIP seats and private boxes, should they go back on tour.

The data for this blog comes from Kworb.

10. "Miss You"

Streams: 228,096,522

Released in 1978 from the Stones’ album, Some Girls, "Miss You" is one of the band’s most distinctive songs with its trademark falsetto notes in the chorus, as well as a sleazy, blues beat.

Played in disco clubs at the height of the era, drummer Charlie Watts revealed that the Stones had been influenced by disco at the time of recording.

Far Out reports that Charlie said, “A lot of those songs like "Miss You" were heavily influenced by going to the discos. You can hear it in a lot of those four-on-the-floor rhythms and the Philadelphia-style drumming. Mick and I used to go to discos a lot… it was a great period.”

The song was featured in Austin Powers in Goldmember in 2002, as well as remixed by Dr Dre.

9. "Brown Sugar"

Streams: 250,755,170

"Brown Sugar" was released in 1971, from the Stones’ album Sticky Fingers. The subject matter has been considered both controversial and ambiguous, with Mick Jagger commenting, "That makes it... the whole mess thrown in.

"God knows what I'm on about on that song. It's such a mishmash. All the nasty subjects in one go... I never would write that song now."

A classic, bluesy track by the band, Rolling Stone magazine featured the song at number 495 in its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

8. "Wild Horses"

Streams: 282,867,433

Another hit from Sticky Fingers, "Wild Horses" is more of a deep and emotional ballad that tugs at the heartstrings, with a country edge to it.

Jagger’s ex-wife, Jerry Hall, revealed to The Observer in 2009 that "Wild Horses" was her favourite Stones song.

The song has featured extensively in film and TV, including on Parks and Recreation, as well as the Stones’ 2008 documentary, Shine a Light, directed by Martin Scorsese.

7. "Angie"

Streams: 372,748,359

Written by both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for the Stones’ 1973 album Goats Head Soup, there was lots of speculation as to who the lyrics to "Angie" were written about.

Over the years, it was wondered if the song was about David Bowie’s wife Angie Bowie, actress Angie Dickinson, or Keith Richards’ daughter Dandelion Angela.

In 1993, Keith Richards revealed that the song was indeed about his baby daughter, however in 2010 he contradicted this, saying in his memoir that the name was picked out at random.

Whoever "Angie" is about, this is a beautiful and melancholic song that conveys a lot of raw emotion.

6. "Beast of Burden"

Streams: 454,668,439

Featuring on Some Girls, this 1978 blues rock song has been described by Jagger in the notes to the band’s 1993 compilation album as not “particularly heartfelt” in terms of its lyrics.

Instead it’s “a soul-begging song, an attitude song. It was one of those where you get one melodic lick, break it down and work it up; there are two parts here which are basically the same."

Bette Midler went on to record a new wave version of the song in 1983.

5. "Sympathy For the Devil"

Streams: 593,464,305

Another of the Stones’ most recognisable tracks, "Sympathy For the Devil" was released from the band’s 1968 album Beggars Banquet as the opening track.

The song is full of dark references, telling the story of mankind and its many grim historical moments through the eyes of Satan. It includes the death of Jesus Christ, the Russian Revolution and World Wars I and II in the lyrics.

This iconic song has been covered by Guns N Roses, as well as featuring in Interview With a Vampire.

4. "Gimme Shelter"

Fans of director Martin Scorsese - a huge admirer of the band - will recognise "Gimme Shelter" as a track that he has used in many of his films, including Casino, The Departed and Goodfellas.

A huge classic for the Stones, it features as number 13 in Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

The song is known not just for Jagger’s voice, but also for the soulful chorus of American gospel singer Merry Clayton. In fact, many might agree that she completely steals the show.

Released in 1969, "Gimme Shelter" is a political song, covering issues of violence in an era that saw the Vietnam War.

3. "Start Me Up"

Streams: 683,969,182

Taken from the band’s 1981 album Tattoo You, "Start Me Up" is a super catchy song that will easily get stuck in your head due to its guitar riffs and refrain of “you make a grown man cry” that Jagger repeats over and over.

Believe it or not, it actually started life as a reggae song that the band recorded and then abandoned, eventually morphing its way into the well-known version that we all know and love now.

2. "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction"

Streams: 745,378,841

A true classic, "Satisfaction" has to be the Stones’ best known song, released in 1965 from the band’s album Out of Our Heads.

Opening with that insanely memorable guitar riff and some seriously suggestive lyrics, the song was a huge hit for the band and was the first number one for the band in the US as well as in the UK. In the UK, it was only played on pirate radio as it was deemed too risque for mainstream radio stations.

Keith Richards is said to have written the song when he was asleep, recording it on a cassette player before listening to it the next day and having no memory of recording it at all.

1. "Paint it, Black"

Streams: 1,252,755,132

Written about grief and loss, this 1966 song from the band’s album Aftermath has Middle Eastern, Indian and Eastern European tones throughout, and makes it onto this list of the Rolling Stones best songs in first place.

It features instruments such as the sitar, castanets and a Hammond organ, showcasing the band’s wide-ranging musical talents, and fits into the psychedelic era of the 1960s with perfection.

A huge commercial success for the band, it went to number one all over the world, including in the UK, US, Netherlands, Malaysia and Canada.

How can I see the Rolling Stones with VIP seats?

It’s rumoured that the Rolling Stones may come to the UK in 2025 to continue their tour of Hackney Diamonds. If the band do release tour tickets, you can be among the first to know about any VIP or hospitality packages by signing up for Seat Unique alerts.

The Rolling Stones are a legendary band, known for their incredible live performances, and you can make the night even more incredible by choosing VIP or hospitality.

From the best seats in the house in a luxury, private box to food and drink and so much more, this will be the perfect way to see the incredible band live, in all their glory.