5 Rolling Stones Songs That Didn’t Age Well

The Rolling Stones brought a gritty edge to rock and roll which was far different from the polished energy of their British Invasion peers. While The Beatles charmed the world with their clean-cut image, The Stones leaned into the rebellious and wild side. Their songs showed raw emotions through blues-inspired tunes. Their style and sound have indeed marked rock history. But looking back, some of their songs have lost their shine.

From outdated social attitudes to unsettling undertones, some Rolling Stones tracks have aged like milk rather than fine wine. While the band’s place in the rock world is exceptional, some of their songs may have a raised eyebrow or two. Here are five Rolling Stones songs that have hit sour notes:

1. “Miss You” – Some Girls
Heartbreak songs are timeless, but setting emotional yearning to a disco beat? That’s where “Miss You” stumbles. Written during the disco craze of the late ’70s, the track features Mick Jagger repeating the same lines over a repetitive groove, sounding more tired than inspired.

While the band locks into a tight rhythm, the melody feels flat and forgettable, making the song drag. It’s a far cry from The Stones’ usual fiery energy, coming across as hollow filler rather than a heartfelt anthem. For a band known for pushing musical boundaries, “Miss You” plays it too safe—and falls flat in the process.

2. “Might As Well Get Juiced” – Bridges to Babylon
The Rolling Stones have always had a knack for staying relevant, but their attempt at electronic experimentation on “Might As Well Get Juiced” was a misstep. This deep cut from Bridges to Babylon feels like a clumsy attempt to jump on the late ’90s dance music trend.

The Dust Brothers’ production drowns out the band’s natural groove with awkward beats that clash with Keith Richards’ bluesy guitar. Jagger’s swaggering vocals can’t save the song, which sounds more like a band trying too hard to be modern than playing to their strengths. While The Stones are masters at reinventing themselves, this track is proof that not every experiment hits the mark.

3. “Under My Thumb” – Aftermath
The Rolling Stones made their name with songs that explored the darker sides of relationships, but “Under My Thumb” crosses the line into toxic territory. The track celebrates control, with Jagger gleefully singing about how his partner now lives to serve him.

What makes it especially cringe-worthy is the smug satisfaction in the lyrics. Jagger paints himself as the victor in a power struggle, reveling in his partner’s submissive behavior. While it might have been brushed off as edgy or cheeky in the ’60s, today it feels uncomfortably controlling. It’s one of those tracks that makes you wish they’d taken a different lyrical approach.

4. “Brown Sugar” – Sticky Fingers
“Brown Sugar” is undeniably one of the classic Rolling Stones hits. The infectious riff and raw energy made it an instant favorite. But beneath the catchy exterior lies a deeply problematic narrative.

The lyrics describe the slave trade in the American South, mixing it with Jagger’s sexual exploits in a way that feels exploitative and insensitive. The line “How come you taste so good?” takes on a disturbing tone when paired with references to enslaved women being abused. While the band has since revised the lyrics during live performances, the original version remains a troubling example of how shock value can overshadow good songwriting.

5. “Stray Cat Blues” – Beggars Banquet
In their heyday, The Rolling Stones reveled in their bad-boy image, but “Stray Cat Blues” takes it too far. The song tells the story of Jagger eyeing a young girl at a party, with lyrics explicitly stating she’s only 15.

Instead of stopping there, the song escalates into a disturbing tale of coercion, with Jagger pressuring her and her friend to join him. The predatory undertones make it one of the band’s most uncomfortable songs, and it’s hard to imagine any artist releasing a track like this today without significant backlash. No amount of swagger or rockstar bravado can excuse the creepy narrative at the heart of this song.