Ranking The Best Songs In “Exile On Main Street”

Raw Rock ‘n Roll

Over the years, critics have shifted on to the Rolling Stones’ side by citing Exile on Main St. as their finest work. Everyone knows how they made this album – Keith Richards rented a villa in France where the boys lived as tax exiles. The recording sessions were chaotic and unorganized – the amount of drugs and alcohol flowing in didn’t help either.

The result was something along the lines of a masterpiece. Let’s revisit the record and pick out their best songs.

10. Shake Your Hips

The slow buildup, the catchy tune – it’ll make you bust out those dance moves in no time!

9. Turd on the Run

If there’s anything you need to learn about this song, it’s this – Mick Jagger plays harp. Richards was all praises too, “He’s [Mick] not thinking when he’s playing harp. It comes from inside him. He always played like that, from the early days on.”

8. Soul Survivor

Killer tune! This is what rock ‘n roll is about.

7. Sweet Virginia

Unlike the other songs, this one is laid-back, mellow, and soulful. Not your typical Stones track, for sure.

6. Rip This Joint

It’s straightforward, aggressive, and unapologetic – all the things we love about the Stones.

5. Sweet Black Angel

It may sound sweet and pleasant but it’s a real standout which is no mean feat given that it’s from a double album.

4. Happy

It’s the track that lives up to its title – it makes you happy. Whether it’s the guitar riff or melody, it never fails to make you smile.

3. Shine A Light

This shows the diversity of the album and the versatility of the Stones – they can go from hard rock to slow yet spine-chilling.

2. Tumbling Dice

Just one of the reasons why the Stones are legendary. This deserves all the love it received.

1. Rocks Off

The album kicks off with this and it’s a sign of things to come – how you’re about to listen to one of rock’s finest records. From this point on, you will find yourself in a constant state of awe.