The Rolling Stones songs Mick Jagger didn’t like

Under the direction of Brian Jones, The Rolling Stones relied heavily on R&B covers for their first two albums. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards became more competent songwriters over time, directing the band in a more contemporary pop-rock direction.

Aftermath, the Stones’ first album entirely comprised of original compositions, was released in 1966. The previous year had also borne two number-one hits for the band: ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ and ‘Get Off of My Cloud’. The Stones’ resounding success established their place as The Beatles’ sparring partners.

The Rolling Stones explored psychedelic territory in the late 1960s before starting on their most important and successful period in the early 1970s. Between the Buttons clunked through the low gears before the overtly psychedelic Their Satanic Majesties Request.

Jagger described Between the Buttons as one of his least favorite albums in a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone. “Frank Zappa used to say he liked it,” he said. “It’s a good record, but it was unfortunately ruined.” He also added, We recorded it on four-track machines in London. We bounced it back and forth so many times to do overdubs that we lost a lot of the sound.”

When asked if any of the music on Between the Buttons meant much to him, Jagger replied, ironically, “No. “What’s the deal?” When the interviewer started naming some of the songs, Jagger looked increasingly disappointed.

On ‘Yesterday’s Papers,’ Jagger remarked, “Yeah, the first song I ever wrote completely on my own for a Rolling Stones record.” ‘My Obsession,’ what a great title. They sounded fantastic at first, but I was ultimately disappointed. Isn’t there something like ‘Ruby Tuesday’ on there? I don’t think the rest of the songs are as good. ‘Ruby Tuesday’ is a good song. “I think that’s a fantastic song.”

Jagger went on to explain why he enjoyed ‘Ruby Tuesday’ so much. “It’s just a nice melody, really,” he thought. “As well as a lovely lyric.” Neither of which I wrote, but I love singing them. But I agree with you on the other songs — I don’t think they’re there. I don’t think I thought they were particularly good at the time.”

Mick Jagger also compared Between the Buttons to its 1967 follow-up, Their Satanic Majesties Request, in the interview. “It’s not very good,” he conceded. “It had some interesting things on it, but none of the songs are particularly good.” It’s similar to Between the Buttons. It’s more of a sound experience than a song experience. It has two good songs on it. ‘She’s a Rainbow’ and ‘2000 Light Years From Home’. The rest of them are nonsense.”

The Stones returned to their blues-rock roots after their ill-conceived response to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed from the late 1960s are among the band’s best, but Jagger found a dud in the former.

Despite being inspired by political demonstrations, Jagger believes that ‘Street Fighting Man’ has little relevance today. “I’m not sure if it has any resonance for the present day,” he told Rolling Stone. “I don’t like it all that much.” At the time, I thought it was a fantastic idea.”

Guitarist Ronnie Wood contributed another of Jagger’s least favorite Rolling Stones songs. The Rolling Stones were going through a rough patch when they recorded Undercover in 1983, with tensions between Jagger and Richards at an all-time high. The only thing they seemed to agree on was that Wood’s contribution, ‘Pretty Beat Up,’ didn’t belong on the album. Ultimately, the band reluctantly agreed to put the song on side two.