The Rolling Stones Popular Songs Ranking [2025]

Gimme ShelterThe Rolling Stones8rank/position

The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter (Official Lyric Video)

Gimme Shelter by the British rock band The Rolling Stones was created in response to the Vietnam War.

It is included on the 1969 album Let It Bleed.

The lyrics vividly depict the tragedies caused by war.

A conflict that can break out over something trivial ends up taking lives, robbing people of their homes, and destroying their livelihoods.

The song conveys a powerful condemnation of war, declaring that a world without love is unacceptable.

Paint It, BlackThe Rolling Stones9rank/position

The Rolling Stones – Paint It, Black (Official Lyric Video)

A masterpiece released in 1966 by the British rock giants The Rolling Stones, this song paints a profound picture of sorrow and loss.

Noted for its exotic sitar sound, it was included on the U.

S.

version of the album Aftermath and reached No.

1 on both the U.

S.

and U.

K.

charts.

With searing lyrics expressing the narrator’s grief over lost love and a desire to “paint it black,” the song leaves a powerful impression.

It was also used in Stanley Kubrick’s film Full Metal Jacket, where it became known as a symbol of the horrors of war.

An eternal classic that resonates with those bearing deep emotional wounds.

Wild HorsesThe Rolling Stones10rank/position

The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses (Live)

This is a song by the British rock band The Rolling Stones.

It was released in 1971 and is included on the album Sticky Fingers.

The deeply emotive guitar solo really tears at your heart.

It’s a love ballad that likens a cherished person to a wild horse.

It’s also known as a song by the American band The Flying Burrito Brothers.

Sympathy for the DevilThe Rolling Stones11rank/position

The Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil (Official Video) [4K]

This is a signature song by The Rolling Stones that sharply portrays the darkness of human nature.

It features a samba-like rhythm and Nicky Hopkins’s striking piano, with Keith Richards’s guitar solo also catching the ear.

Recorded in June 1968, it opened the album Beggars Banquet.

The lyrics, told from the devil’s perspective about tragedies in history, contain deep insights that probe the essence of humanity.

It was also used in the film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, heightening a dramatic scene.

Highly recommended for rock fans interested in the darker side of human nature.

Jumping Jack FlashThe Rolling Stones12rank/position

Jumpin’ Jack Flash ((Original Single Mono Version))

A signature song by The Rolling Stones, the most famous British rock band still active today.

It’s hard to believe it was released in 1968—the guitar intro sounds so modern, and it makes your body move naturally.

They’re often compared to The Beatles, but what defines the Rolling Stones’ sound is their unwavering, blues-rooted, straight-ahead rock ’n’ roll.

They’ve stuck to a style that never wavers, and it’s irresistibly cool—no explanation needed!

Honky Tonk WomenThe Rolling Stones13rank/position

The Rolling Stones – Honky Tonk Women (Official Lyric Video)

A single packed with the essence of rock ’n’ roll conjures up a barroom vibe with its catchy, unforgettable riff.

Released in July 1969, the song became their last No.

1 in the UK and spent four consecutive weeks at the top in the US.

With lyrics that evoke the atmosphere of a bar and thoughts of women, this track is often hailed as emblematic of The Rolling Stones’ defiant spirit and the counterculture of the 1960s.

It’s perfect for livening up a drinking party or belting out arm-in-arm with friends, and its sing-along familiarity is part of its charm.

Waiting on a FriendThe Rolling Stones14rank/position

The Rolling Stones – Waiting On A Friend – OFFICIAL PROMO

“Waiting on a Friend,” released in 1981 by the legendary British rock band The Rolling Stones, is a classic that portrays the deep bonds of friendship.

Featured on the album “Tattoo You,” it reached No.

13 on the Billboard charts.

The song is a honky-tonk-tinged ballad distinguished by Mick Jagger’s emotive vocals and Sonny Rollins’s memorable sax solo.

Its introspective yet warm lyrics question the true value of friendship and celebrate the importance of companions who walk with us through life’s many changes.

Why not spend some quality time with your rock ’n’ roll-loving friends while listening to this track?