Mick Jagger Reveals Which Rolling Stones Album He Considers ‘Overrated’

Jagger’s Surprising Opinion

An album by legendary rock band The Rolling Stones is “overrated,” according to frontman Mick Jagger. It’s a view that may surprise longtime fans, especially since it comes from the band’s peak years. Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner, Jagger said the period from Let It Bleed to Exile on Main St. is often placed on a pedestal by critics and fans alike.

This stretch produced some of the group’s most well-known songs, including Wild Horses, Let It Bleed, and Brown Sugar. But when it comes to the album that followed Sticky Fingers, Jagger doesn’t share the widespread enthusiasm. While he praised the “raw quality” of Exile on Main St., he feels it doesn’t have the same unified feel as Let It Bleed and Beggars Banquet.

 

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Comparing the Big Records

“It’s [Exile on Main St.] a bit overrated, to be honest,” Jagger admitted. “Compared to Let It Bleed and Beggars Banquet, which I think are more of a piece, I don’t see it as thematic as the other two.”

He added, “I’m not saying it’s not good. It doesn’t contain as many outstanding songs as the previous two records. I think the playing’s quite good. It’s got a raw quality, but I don’t think all around it’s as good.” For Jagger, the album’s unevenness seems to come from how it was made and the circumstances around it.

Recording Challenges and Atmosphere

Part of the difficulty may have been the environment in which the album was recorded. At the time, drugs were common in the band’s circle, and creative tensions were evident. This led to the project being recorded in multiple locations, each with its own vibe.

Jagger recalled, “Well, Exile on Main Street was done in different pieces. There’s this part which is recorded at Olympic [Studios], maybe a third. Another part is recorded in my house in the country in England. And half of it’s recorded in Keith’s basement in the South of France, and it’s all mixed in L.A.”

Keith Richards’ Take

Guitarist Keith Richards shares some of Jagger’s views, though he still praises the record. Richards has said it’s not the best starting point for someone new to The Rolling Stones. “I’d say Exile on Main St. [because] it’s a double album, so there’s more range on it. But it also is the pointer. It’s amazing. We had to fight to put that one out, but eventually, everybody got it.”

Fans Weigh In

Some fans disagreed with Jagger’s assessment but echoed Richards’ caution about using it as an introduction to the band. One listener explained, “Keith Richards says Exile on Main St. is the best Stones album for people to start with. I disagree. While Exile on Main St. is my favourite, I think it’s a slow burner of an album that takes a while to understand. It’s great as a collective work that has a certain vibe and atmosphere, rather than one loaded with hits, so I wouldn’t say it’s the best album for a non-Stones fan to start with.”

The same fan added, “I got into The Stones through Beggars Banquet myself, but if I were to recommend one for people to start with, I’d say Sticky Fingers as I think it’s the most comprehensive out of the big four. It’s a solid tracklist with a few hits too.”