3 of the Most Beautiful Rolling Stones Songs (That Aren’t the Hits)

The Rolling Stones aren’t a band you would typically go to for “soft” songs. Their biggest hits are raucous and maybe even raunchy. But, that’s ignoring the many stunning softer songs that are hidden amongst the Stones’ discography. Instead of rough-and-tumble rock, Stones songs like these speak to the band’s affectionate and poetic side. The three beautiful Stones songs below are evidence of their versatility.

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“Winter”

Starting our list of beautiful Rolling Stones songs is “Winter.” Many songwriters have used the coldest season as a metaphor for life’s hardship. The Stones joined that rich history with this track. It sure been a cold, cold winter, Lord / My feet been draggin’ ‘cross the ground / And the fields has all been brown and fallow / And the springtime take the long way around, the lyrics read. You could interpret this song at face value, but the lulling instrumentation in this song leads the listener to believe there is something far more existential at play.

“Memory Motel”

We all have “could ‘ves” in our lives. That’s part of the reason why breakup songs are so popular. It’s nice to know that we aren’t alone in our regrets. The Stones delivered a powerful breakup song with “Memory Motel.” You’re just a memory / Of a love that used to be, the painfully true lyrics read. The band softens this touchy sentiment with some of their most beautiful instrumentals to date. It’s beauty mixed with tragedy—a devastating pair.

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“Moonlight Mile”

Closing our list of the most beautiful Rolling Stones songs is the band’s devastatingly lonely ode to life on the road, “Moonlight Mile.” Written by both the Micks (Jagger and Taylor), this Sticky Fingers cut is lush with orchestration and atmosphere. The sound of strangers sending nothing to my mind / Just another mad, mad day on the road, the lyrics read. It’s easy to imagine a road-worn Jagger staring out the bus window, longing for home, as the sun sets. This is the kind of song that would play at the end of a tear-jerking film, helping put the world into perspective for the audience. It’s hard to encapsulate all this song has to offer, truly, but calling it “beautiful” is an egregious understatement.

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