Mick Jagger’s Favorite Stones Albums
After more than six decades with The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger has helped create one of the most celebrated catalogs in rock history. So when veteran journalist Dan Rather asked him to name his favorite Stones albums and songs, the legendary frontman had a difficult time narrowing down the list.
During his appearance on The Big Interview with Dan Rather, Jagger admitted that choosing favorites isn’t easy because the band’s music spans so many different styles and eras. Still, a few albums immediately came to mind. Among them was 1971’s Sticky Fingers, widely regarded as one of the band’s masterpieces. Featuring classics like ‘Brown Sugar,’ ‘Wild Horses,’ and ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,’ the album captures the Stones at the height of their creative powers. Jagger also singled out 1968’s Beggars Banquet, the record that marked the band’s transition from blues-based rockers into one of the world’s most innovative songwriting teams. More recently, he praised the band’s latest studio effort, Hackney Diamonds, proving that he’s just as proud of the Stones’ current work as their classic recordings.
When the conversation turned to individual songs, Jagger again struggled to pick just one. Instead, he mentioned several tracks that he believes represent the band at its best. ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ made the list, thanks to its hypnotic groove and unforgettable lyrics. He also highlighted “Start Me Up,” one of the band’s biggest stadium-rock anthems, along with the emotional ballad “Angie” and the timeless rocker ‘Honky Tonk Women.’
Over the years, Jagger has also spoken fondly about songs such as ‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘Wild Horses.’ He has described ‘Gimme Shelter’ as a powerful reflection of a turbulent era, while praising ‘Wild Horses’ for turning a familiar phrase into something deeply personal and moving.
What stands out most from Jagger’s comments is his appreciation for the band’s diversity. From blues and country influences to hard rock and ballads, The Rolling Stones have never been confined to one sound. That’s why choosing a single favorite song or album may be impossible—even for the man who sang them.
For fans, however, Jagger’s selections offer a fascinating glimpse into which chapters of the Stones’ remarkable career mean the most to him. And not surprisingly, many of those choices have become fan favorites as well.
