3 Songs That Sound Like The Rolling Stones but Actually Aren’t

The Rolling Stones came out of the 1960s British rock and roll scene. The bands from that era were inspired by the American blues rockers that had come before them in the 1950s. And so, in many ways, the Stones were just carrying on that legacy. But there is also something specific and unique to the band. A sticky memorable quality and the flash of a certain lead vocalist.

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Here below, we wanted to explore the vast influence of The Rolling Stones by taking a look at three bands and three songs that could be mistaken for the “Gimme Shelter” artists. Indeed, these are three songs that sound like The Rolling Stones but actually aren’t them.

[RELATED: The Song Mick Jagger Wrote for Keith Richards Following His Eviction]

“30 Days in the Hole” by Humble Pie from Smokin’ (1972)

The British-born band Humble Pie was clearly influenced by the Stones when it comes to this song. From the inflection of the vocal performance, to the shakers in the background, to the chorus of singers in the background. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, then this track should make the Stones feel pretty darn good. And on it, Steve Marriott sings,

Roll my tape
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Thirty days…
Anyone doin’ that one?
(Which one?)
I’m doin’ that one

Thirty days in the hole
(Yeah, that’s nice)
Thirty days in the hole
Thirty days in the hole
(Lord have mercy)
‘Come on in man, that’s it. Yeah. Right.

“Stay With Me” by Faces from A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse (1971)

This might not be totally fair to call out because The Rolling Stones and Faces share a band member in Mr. Ronnie Wood. But that doesn’t stop this song from feeling like it could have been on Wood brought to his Stones brothers and maybe they jammed on it a bit but decided in the end to pass on it. The tune was written by Wood and lead vocalist Rod Stewart and it’s a banger. On it, Stewart sings,

You won’t need to much persuadin’
I don’t mean to sound degradin’
But with a face like that you got nothin’ to laugh about
Red lips, hair and fingernails
I hear you’re a mean old Jezebel
Let’s go upstairs and read my Tarot cards, come on, honey

Stay with me, stay with me
For tonight you’d better stay with me, alright
Stay with me, stay with me
For tonight you’d better stay with me

“Jealous Again” by The Black Crowes from Shake Your Money Maker (1990)

A rollicking blues-rock tune about how the singer let another love interest in again and got burned. Sounds like something Mick Jagger would sing about. But it’s not just the vibe of the song, it’s the specific instrumentation. The buzzy guitars, the saloon-style piano twinkling in the background. The energy and instrumentation make this track sound like it could be a Stones B-side discovered after years in someone’s basement. And on the tune, lead vocalist Chris Robinson sings,

Cheat the odds that made you brave to try to gamble at times
Well I feel like dirty laundry sendin’ sickness on down the line

Tell you why
‘Cause I’m jealous, jealous again
Thought it time that I let you in
Yeah, I’m jealous, jealous again
Got no time, baby

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