On This Day in 1973: The Rolling Stones Begin a Four-Week Reign at No.1 on the US Charts
via DJ Gerry from Starlight Music / YouTube
A Milestone for Goats Head Soup
On October 13, 1973, the Rolling Stones’ album Goats Head Soup began a four-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart. This marked the band’s fourth U.S. No. 1 album.
Released earlier that year on August 31, Goats Head Soup embraced diverse musical styles—rock, blues, funk—and recorded sessions across Jamaica, Los Angeles, and London. Its lead single, “Angie,” became a major hit, further boosting the album’s commercial success.
View this post on Instagram
Chart Performance and Global Reach
At the time, Goats Head Soup soared to the top of several international charts, including the U.K. and U.S., reflecting the Stones’ global prowess. The four-week reign in the U.S. paralleled other peaks the band had achieved with albums like Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St.
The band was already riding high on the success of Exile on Main St. before moving into the Goats Head Soup era, which would be the last produced by long-time collaborator Jimmy Miller.
Musical Highlights and Legacy
Goats Head Soup is notable for combining new sounds with the band’s established strengths. Tracks like “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)” and “Angie” remain enduring staples in the Stones’ catalogue. The album showcased stronger songwriting intent compared to the sprawling style of Exile, as Mick Jagger stated in later interviews: “There’s more thought to this one… I didn’t want it to be just a bunch of rock songs.”
Despite receiving mixed reviews at the time, the album’s impact has grown over the years. Its chart dominance and bold stylistic moves helped extend the Stones’ influence into new musical terrain.
Through Goats Head Soup, the Rolling Stones reaffirmed their ability to dominate the charts while experimenting within their sound—a balance that few acts of their era managed as successfully.
